- Check the weather. Extreme temperatures, high winds, and storms can all be extremely dangerous out on the water. If the forecast looks precarious, consider postponing your outing for a better day.
- Know the maximum number of passengers for your boat. Overloading a boat is unsafe and illegal.
- Make sure you have all the required equipment to boat. Exact regulations vary from state to state and country to country, but it´s always smart to bring:
- A fire extinguisher
- At least 1 Personal Floatation Device
- A sound maker (either a bell or a whistle)
- A visual distress signal
- Vessel Lighting
- Provide at least one off water friend with the basic information about your trip, including:
- Name and phone number of all persons aboard
- Boat type
- Boat registration number
- Types of communication and signal equipment onboard
- An itinerary of your trip.
- Everyone taking part in the trip should have at least a basic understanding of how to swim. Also, at least one person should be trained in boating safety and in CPR.
- Leave your alcohol behind! Alcohol is a leading factor in boat related accidents.
- Designate an assistant skipper—someone to help the trip leader, and to guide the boat to safety should the leader become injured or incapacitated.
- If you live in the US, consider taking advantage of the free vessel check offered by the US coast guard.
- Last but not least, make a check list of everything you need to bring and everything you need to do, to ensure that you are departing safely!
For more information on boating equipment, visit http://www.beaconwatch.com/ Beacon watch is committed to bringing the next generation of safety electronics to sporting enthusiasts everywhere.
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