Boating Safety

 

You can’t beat a day with friends and family out on the boat near Lebanon,MO.! Make sure safety is always at the forefront of your mind. LSK Lebanon wants to ensure everyone is safe out on your boats this summer, so here are some boating safety tips.

1. Boat Safety Kit

Always be prepared for any situation with an emergency boat safety kit. Here are some essential items to include:

• Flashlight
• Duct tape
• Bucket
• First Aid kit
• Whistle 
• Ropes
• Mirror
• Garbage bags
• Fire extinguisher 
• Life jackets

2. Proper Life Jackets

Life jackets are required by law and should be U.S. Coast Guard-approved. Everyone on the boat should have a life jacket on. Make sure every passenger tries on a few life jackets before boarding the boat to ensure the proper size. Choose a life jacket that fits your height and weight. Some life jackets are designed to turn an unconscious person face-up in the water. These life jackets require extra maintenance and are not recommended for children under the age of 16.

3. Check the Weather Before Getting on The Water

You can not always predict the weather or a storm. But some common way to tell if a storm is near is rough, choppy water. The weather could seem warm, but the water could reveal that a boating day is not ideal. If you get caught on the boat in a storm, make sure you seek help immediately. 

4. Do NOT Overload the boat

Check your boat’s capacity restriction and abide by that. Overloading a boat with passengers or other equipment can cause an unbalance boat.

5. Check for Fumes

After fueling the boat, open all hatches for any fumes and smells. Carbon Monoxide could accumulate in certain pockets in your boat that can unexpectedly knock you and your passenger’s unconscious. Make sure you are aware of these areas on your boat and check regularly. Common at-risk areas on your boat include:

• Poorly ventilated areas
• Enclosed spaces
• Exhaust outlets

6. Follow Proper Anchoring Practices

Having the right anchor is the bare minimum. You need to ensure your anchor is not dragging your boat. You may need to drop it in deeper waters to keep it from drifting.

7. Follow Proper Docking Techniques

Docking can have its challenges. Make sure bumpers are out and reduce the speed of the boat and that docking lines are secure. If the wind is blowing towards the shore, bring the boat around two feet from the dock and allow the wind to gently pull it. Secure with lines. If the wind is blowing away from the shore, approach the dock at a 20 or 30-degree angle to compensate for the wind. Secure bowline. Work with the wind and take your time.

8. Boating Safety Courses

There are free courses available online that vary by state. Before you leave the dock, ensure you know the rules and responsibilities that come along with operating a vessel. 70% of boating accidents are caused by operator error.

9. Get a Professional to Check Your Boat

It is best to have your vessel professionally evaluated before you take people out on your boat. Ensure all parts are working as they should and all safety protocol is in place before you hit the water this summer!

Boating is one of the best things to do in the summer but can also be a very dangerous activity if you are not prepared. It is better to be more than prepared with safety knowledge and supplies than to be left in an emergency and not knowing what to do. Keep you and your passengers as safe as you can be by preparing yourself and your boat properly. Find your dream boat near Lebanon, MO, and get out on the water with your friends and family! Stay safe and have fun!