Boating Safety Equipment – Three Exercises to Help Boaters Operate Safely

 

Prepared sailors recognize the value of carrying boating safety equipment aboard and most know what key types of gear should be within reach. Lifejackets, flares, radios, fire extinguishers and the like come to mind right away. You’ll need other boating accessories such as a paddle for when your engine quits, and duct tape to stop up leaks and cracks. Here are three exercises to help you procure equipment to operate safely.

 

Good gear costs less over time, since it remains serviceable longer. You should also read manufacturers’ care and maintenance information. If you take good care of your boating safety equipment, its service life will be extended. A lot of boat owner groups offer discount programs for safety gear and insurance, and also for taking a boating course and learning boating regulations.

 

What type and how much boating safety equipment is necessary depend on the length of the vessel. Some safety requirements are the same for any boat size. For boats less than sixteen feet, you must have one personal flotation device (PFD) for each person. Boats between 16-25 feet require a PFD of Type I, II, III or V, plus a Type IV PFD that can be thrown overboard.

 

Stock your vessel with standard first-aid boating safety equipment: self stick wound dressings, gauze pads, rubbing alcohol, over the counter painkillers, antiseptics and other helpful tools such as blankets and flashlights. Lifejackets that aren’t in use, fishing rods, your cooler, etc, should all be tied to the boat, so they won’t come loose and become missiles.

 

We all need to take boating safety equipment seriously, even while we’re having fun on the water. You’ll feel more comfortable if you know you have the correct safety equipment on board, and that it all works.