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While you may be excited about being a new boat owner, there are still some areas concerning your safety and the safety of others that is important. Regardless of how many years of experience you may have, or the type of boat you may have, adding boat insurance can add coverage to reduce financial losses, whereas good safety habits will help you remain as safe as possible while on the water.
Common Boat Safety Tips
In general, everyone boarding the boat should have a basic understanding of general safety rules prior to departing. Below are five basic boating safety tips:
1. Weather
Check the weather forecast prior to departing. If while on the boat you notice a sudden change in the weather, such as dark clouds or high winds, that’s a good sign to head back before the weather conditions worsen.
2. Lifejackets
Make sure that everyone on board has access to a life jacket and knows how to properly wear one. Many drowning victims were not wearing lifejackets.
3. Checklist
Be prepared by making a check list of all the safety items that need to take place prior to heading out to make sure nothing is overlooked
4. Experience
Make sure you or someone traveling with you has the training and experience to properly operate a boat, are mindful of other boats, monitor’s their speed and the speed of others and steers clear of other watercraft and larger vessels. Also be sure to have a means of communication with others outside of your boat.
5. Float Plan
Make sure that you alert someone to your proposed itinerary – where you’re planning to go and how long you plan to be gone so others will know if you become missing.
For more information and other boat safety tips, please contact Southwest Insurance Center online.
Ph: 512-280-6100