Tips

6 Tips to Stay Safe While Boating This Summer

For those of us who love boating, spring and summer can’t arrive soon enough. The thought of getting your boat back in the water and enjoying the open seas is probably all-consuming right now. But before you get too excited and too ahead of yourself, you always want to be sure safety is a priority. With that said, here are some basic safety tips to follow for the 2023 boating season.

Life Jackets Need to Be Worn to Work

Everyone knows how important life jackets are, and that you need one for each passenger, but the key is that people need to be wearing them. They will only work and save someone’s life if they are worn. The life jacket needs to fit well so it doesn’t slip off, and it needs to be the right size for the passenger’s weight.

Focus on Boating, Not Your Mobile Device

Just like with driving a car, the driver of the boat must be focused on what they are doing and their surroundings. This means getting rid of distractions such as your mobile phone. Taking photos, chatting and messaging all cause you to look away and focus on the screen rather than the water. If you want to use your mobile device, make sure the boat has safely stopped, turned off and is anchored so that your hands are free.

Be Aware of the Weather

While it may seem like a beautiful day when you first set sail on your boat, the weather can change quickly. This is why you need to check the weather forecast in advance and make sure you keep an eye on the skies while out on the water. It’s always best to err on the side of caution when it comes to weather.

Leave a Float Plan

A float plan is your itinerary, and you want to leave this with someone you trust before heading out. This means at least one person knows where you are and when you should be expected to return.

Is Your Boat in Safe Working Condition?

No matter how often you head out on the water, performing a thorough safety check each time is a necessity. You want to be sure the boat is in safe working condition and will be reliable to get you back to the dock.

What If You Get into an Accident?

Unfortunately, not matter how safe you are, accidents can still happen. It’s not something you want to think about, but it is important to be prepared just in case. The first response is to be sure everyone is safe and okay and get emergency medical assistance if needed. 

Once everyone has been safely removed from the boat and received medical care, it’s wise to contact a lawyer who has experience with boating accidents. If the accident was due to the negligence of someone else, you may be able to file a claim and be eligible for compensation. You can visit a firm like R&B Law to learn more about the claim process and what options you have.

All of these tips will help you to stay safe while enjoying a fabulous 2023 boating season.

Steven Wilson

Steven Wilson is an enthusiastic author, writer and admin of the website fortressone.net. He loves to write about latest news, trends, fashion, lifestyle, entertainment, health, business, technology, travel etc.

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