Boating Safety
Spending a day out on the water with friends and family in your boat is a great way to bond and make memories. You can relax and enjoy the sights and sounds of nature, have a meandering conversation, focus on fishing or participate in watersports. Whatever it is you plan to do with your boat, it’s essential that you do it safely, for the benefit of you, your passengers and other boaters on the water. That’s why the folks at Nisswa Marine near Minneapolis have put together this boating safety guide to help you have a safe and fun time on your next boating adventure!
Plan Ahead
Taking some time to plan ahead and make a checklist of gear and safety rules for your boat is a good step towards proper boating safety. Educate another person in your boating party on how to operate your boat and return to shore in case you become incapacitated. Everyone on board should also know how to swim before boarding because they may have to keep themselves afloat while waiting for rescue.
Make sure to tell someone on shore where you’re going and how long you plan to be out on the water so that they can contact rescue authorities with this information if you don’t return on time.
Check The Weather Forecast
A very simple safety precaution you can take is checking the forecast in advance of and on the day of your planned trip. Weather can change quickly, particularly over the water, so you want to be aware of the conditions you’ll be boating in. If it looks like heavy rains, high winds, freezing temperatures, hail or lightning are in the forecast, then you may want to reschedule your trip or find another body of water because these are very unsafe weather conditions for boating. There’s no need to be reckless and endanger yourself or your passengers. If you’re already on the water and see bad weather brewing, then you’ll want to gather everyone up and quickly head back to shore using your map or GPS system.
Perform Routine Maintenance
Don’t hitch up your boat to your car and head for the lake without inspecting her thoroughly first! Fill up your fuel tank and top off oil and coolant. Make sure bilges are dry and your pumps aren’t running too much. Clean up any spilled bilge waste to avoid overboard discharge. Make sure that all your electronics and lights function properly. Check the hull for any signs of damage you might have missed before. You’ll also want to have your boat’s insurance and license papers on board, Make sure these are up to date.
Stock Up On Safety Equipment
You should always have a life jacket for every person on board your boat, and these should be worn at all times, especially by children. Make sure that your boat has a throwable life ring or other flotation device to help any person who goes overboard. You’ll additionally want to have an emergency radio, signal flares, a fire extinguisher, a GPS, reflective blankets and a well-stocked first aid kit to address any minor illnesses or injuries that happen when you’re on the water. All these things can easily fit in a storage compartment. Advise your passengers where these supplies are located so they can access them quickly as necessary.
You’re now up to speed on boating safety basics, which means you’re ready to invest in the boat of your dreams. Visit our Nisswa dealership today to see our wide inventory of new and used boats for sale in many styles. Nisswa Marine serves the Minneapolis metro area along with Brainerd, St. Cloud, Duluth and Grand Rapids, Minnesota.