What are the most important safety tips when piloting a boat?
Here are the top 5.
#1 Understand Your Responsibility
Although you may think boating should be worry free compared to driving a car, each year there are hundreds of mishaps involving poor piloting, collisions with buoys or fixed objects, water skiing accidents and others.
You are responsible for the safety of everyone aboard your vessel at all times, and you have a responsibility to those with whom you are sharing the water.
#2 Be Ready to Communicate
Be ready to communicate to your passengers, or those being towed or to other boaters. A powerful voice reinforcement tool such as the AmpliVox ProMarine Waterproof Megaphone should be an important part of your safety equipment.
The ProMarine Megaphone includes not only power voice reinforcement but also a built-in horn and a siren.
#3: Wear Life Jackets
Each year there are hundreds of drowning deaths, most of them by victims who are not wearing life jackets.
70% of all boating fatality accidents result from drowning. Almost 85% of those who drown are not wearing a life jacket. Having life jackets aboard does not save lives — WEARING them does!
#4: Always Be Aware of the Weather
Always be aware of the weather as it could change suddenly. Being on an open body of water in a squall cannot only be terrifying but life threatening.
Before you go boating, rely on weather.com for boat and beach conditions, your marine forecast, and surf information.
#5: Alcohol and Boating Do Not Mix
Alcohol and boating do not mix any more than driving a car. If you are piloting a boat you are always the designated driver.
It is illegal to operate a boat while under the influence of alcohol or drugs in every state. The Coast Guard also enforces a federal law that prohibits BUI. This law pertains to ALL boats from canoes and rowboats to the largest ships.
Have fun, and be safe. This message of boating safety is brought to you by AmpliVox, manufacturer of a multitude of reliable portable pa systems for indoors and out.
