subject: 7 Practical Tips For Boat Safety [print this page] There are nearly as many boating accidents as there are car accidents every year. These are caused by several factors and most of them could have been avoided if the operators had followed proper boat safety measures. That is why this article will discuss 7 boat safety tips that anyone who operates a boat should know and follow.
The first tip is to always wear a life jacket. It is possible to be thrown out of the craft when it hits a wave or obstruction in the water and the person who falls out runs a high risk of drowning or injury. The law states that anyone under the age of thirteen should always wear one but it really is smarter for everyone on board to wear one as well.
You should never drink alcohol or do other drugs when you operate a water device. These substances affect your ability to function and make decisions in a timely manner. Not being able to make those decisions fast enough could cause you to have an accident and hurt the people in your boat and in any that you may hit.
Be extremely careful on personal watercraft. These devices are designed for only one or two people to ride on and they can be dangerous when used improperly. You should always stay at least fifty feet away from any other crafts, the shore, and anything else that reaches into the water. It is really necessary to watch carefully for any obstacles and avoid them.
Take a boater education class. These classes are available at several places and there is probably someplace near you that offers them. They will tell you all the laws that you are required to follow as well as tell you any tips that may help keep you and others safe.
Be careful not to overload your craft. This can make the boat act unpredictably. You run the risk of having loose items that can get in your way during an emergency or even hit you while you are attempting to operate the boat.
Maintain a safe speed where ever you are. There are no written speed limits on the water but you can receive a ticket for driving recklessly or for excessive speed. These tickets cost similar to what you would pay if you were to receive a ticket while in a car. You should use common sense when trying to decide on an appropriate speed for the situation and the conditions that you find yourself in.
You should have a passenger help watch the water to look for submerged objects or areas of low water. This will make it much easier to see and avoid them. The passenger should follow the same rules that the operator has to follow. He should not drink or do drugs so that his abilities are not impaired while he is trying to help.
Most accidents on the water can be easily avoided and it seems extremely silly that there is still so many every year. There are laws and regulations in place to protect people but some of us can use just a little more help. These boat safety tips should be useful to even experienced operators and they should always be followed no matter where you are.
by: Adriana Noton
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