Any number of things could go wrong during an outing on your boat. By practicing boat safety rules you can stay prepared for the unexpected. By maintaining your boat and making sure some necessary pieces of safety equipment are onboard your boat at all times, you can establish a little peace of mind.
Boating Safety Equipment
It is important to have Coast Guard approved personal flotation devices. There are numerous different PFDs available for purchase so do your research and find a type that will work best for your needs. If you have children onboard your boat, make sure that you have some PFDs available that will fit them.
Another piece of boating safety equipment that should be kept on your boat is a fire extinguisher. Depending on the size and type of boat that you have a fire extinguisher might be a required piece of safety equipment.
Visual distress signals should be stored on your boat in case of an emergency. Depending on the time of day some flares might be more appropriate than others. Flashing lights really work best at night and a distress flag will only be seen during the day. Multiple types of flares are available including those that can be launched into the sky. Flares are also available in handheld forms that generate smoke that can be used to signal distress. Make sure to pay attention to the expiration of flares and replace them as needed.
Boat horns, bells, and whistles are great to have onboard your boat to help signal to other boaters nearby. Depending on your location and the size of your boat, the Coast Guard may require that your vessel has one of these devices installed.
On top of having personal flotation devices for all of your passengers towing or having a life raft onboard you boat can be useful. Depending on weather conditions and your location you might not want to spend hours in the water drifting while you wait for rescue. With a life raft you can seek refuge safely during your wait. Make sure to pack some boating safety gear with your life raft. Flares should be a must have as well as a weatherproof flashing and some type of device that can be used to generate noise.
Boating regulations vary depending on the type of boat that you have. Check the Coast Guard’s website if you have any questions regarding the safety of your boat. You will also find several additional great boating safety tips that you can apply to your boat.
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