Practicing safe boating tips is essential to avoid the large costs of boating accidents. These costs include boating property, injury, and potentially a lawsuit. These costs can quickly add up, and just like owning an automobile, owning a boat is a responsibility. This responsibility includes safe boating practices and proper insurance coverage. Here are the top 7 boating safety tips.

Top 7 Boating Safety Tips

There are several things that boaters can do to protect themselves and those passengers in the boat from harm.

1. Check the Weather: Before going out on the water, boaters should check the weather. If the weather forecast includes darkening clouds, rough winds, or storms it is best to avoid the water that day.

2. Develop a Float Plan: a float plan includes itinerary details along with contact information for the owner and passengers on the boat. The float plan is then given to someone who is staying ashore. The float plan indicates an emergency if the boat stays on the water far past the return time. It also allows the passengers on the boat to be reached in case of an emergency.

3. Request a Vessel Safety Check: boaters should also request a vessel safety check from the United States Coast Guard. This safety check is free, and can be done in person or online. Boat owners can request a specialist to come examine their boat and provide helpful safety tips, or follow certain steps on their own outlined by the US Coast Guard.

4. Life Jackets: are essential for boaters. It is one of the most important safety tips to follow while on a boat. The majority of drowned boaters did not wear life jackets. To avoid this fate simply ensure that everyone on the boat is equipped a properly fitted lifejacket.

5. Learn to Swim: another important safety measure is learning how to swim. Being in or close to the water means that one might be at risk for drowning if one doesn’t possess basic swimming skills. Many organizations such as the YMCA or the American Red Cross offer swimming lessons for any age or ability.

6. Avoid Alcohol: to maintain one’s safe status on the high seas, it is important to avoid alcohol. The wind and the sun—which are unavoidable on a boat—often exaggerate the effects alcohol has on individuals. The chances of being involved in a boating accident double when alcohol is involved. It is best to have a drink once ashore, rather than on the water.

7. Take a Boating Safety Course: can teach a boater valuable skills. Some states even require one to take a safety course before owning an operating a boat. While the laws differ from state to state, the benefits of such a course do not. A safety course teaches both experienced boaters and beginners how to safely operate a boat and how to be prepared for any situation on the water.

Insurance Coverage

Even if a boater operates their boat with the upmost safety requirements, accidents happen. A jet skier could collide with a speedboat even if the boater operates their boat flawlessly. Insurance is for those times when safe practices are not enough. Insurance can cover boating property, and the costs of lawsuit. The professionals at H&K Insurance Agency can provide a policy that protects boaters from the high costs of potential boating accident. Learn more about boating insurance and the policies we can provide with a free quote today!