Tag: boat safety items

5 Must-Have Boating Accessories

Posted on Camille Smith
Photo courtesy of Boatsmart

As the weather is getting warmer, now is a great time to take advantage of the summer sun. Whether you own a boat or opt for a boat club membership, getting out on the water is a perfect way to spend the day. But before setting sail, it’s important to make sure you have all the necessary assets aboard. Today, we’re covering the five most important boating accessories!

First Aid Kit

Photo courtesy of Yachting Pages

When you’re spending the day water skiing, tubing, and swimming, injuries are bound to happen on occasion. And when you’re far from the bathroom cabinet of your lake home, it’s essential to have a first aid kit on board. A few must-have components include bandages (of a variety of sizes), antiseptic, Neosporin, and pain relievers. Additionally, you may need a few extra marine-specific things like sunscreen, motion sickness medication, and aloe vera. Especially in the summer, sun protection is of utmost importance.

Personal Flotation Devices

Photo courtesy of Cabinlife.com

Also called PFDs for shorthand, personal flotation devices are an umbrella term that encompasses both life jackets and throwable devices. PFDs fall under five different classifications depending on your boat and water. For instance, Type I (offshore vests) have a higher minimum buoyancy for rough, remote waters while Type II (near shore vests — the most common at lake homes) are suited for more manageable lake waters. By law, there must be enough PFDs for every passenger on board a boat. As such, these are absolutely essential on board.

Proper Documentation

Photo courtesy of TakeMeFishing.org

Just like you keep your car registration paperwork in the glove compartment of a car, it’s a good idea to keep papers in your boat as well. Between the registration papers, the correct decal stickers, and your boating license, it’s important to make sure every documentation that is required by the state and local authorities is accounted for. As a good rule of thumb — the pouch that holds your boating documents should stay separate from other plastic bags on board that hold cameras, phones, and other technology items.

Signaling Devices

Photo courtesy of DiscoverBoating.com

In case of an emergency, it’s important to keep the right signaling devices on board. For boats smaller than 16 feet, you only need a distress signal between sunset and sunrise, so you’ll only need a signal when you’re boating at night. Other exceptions to this rule include boats involved in racing, manually propelled boats, or small sailboats without propulsion machinery. Otherwise, if your boat is larger than 16 feet, be aware that you’ll need a combination of floating smoke signals/flares and a distress flag. Not sure what you need? You can always consult a local boating supply store in your lake area.

Docking Equipment

Photo courtesy of Boatasy

Even if you’re planning on an “out and back” trip home, it’s important to bring docking equipment on board. You never know if you’ll want to dock for lunch, or if you’ll need to pull over in case of an emergency. First, you’ll need at least two fenders as buffers between the boat and the dock. Additionally, it’s not a bad idea to carry an anchor on board as well. Of course, don’t forget ropes for tying your boat. For more detailed tips on tying up your boat, check out this instructional video from BoatUS.

Wishing everyone a safe and enjoyable day out on the water!

Swimming Safety Tips for Lake Home Owners

Posted on Staff

Every lake home owner should know about swimming safety. As long as you remember these swimming safety tips ,the lake is your best resource for staying cool and relaxing on hot day.

Be Prepared for Swimming Safety

Before swimming in a lake, be sure to find out the depth and terrain of the area you in which you will be swimming so you can prepare accordingly. Some bodies of water my be three feet deep then drop sharply to 20 feet in depth.

swimming safety

Be sure to have enough coast guard- approved life vest for everyone who may need assistance to safely swim. Additionally, when choosing a a life jacket, consider the other water activities you may participate in while wearing it to make sure its the right one for you.

The Personal Flotation Device Manufacturers Association has a full listing and description of approved personal flotation devices (PFD). Additionally, when choosing a a life jacket, consider the other water activities you may participate in while wearing it to make sure its the right one for you.

Aside from floating in water, one must also be prepared for walking around in the shallow areas. To avoid  stepping on unseen items, such as a rock or glass, it is wise to wear swim shoes in the lake.

Learn to Swim

Everyone who lives by the lake should learn how to swim properly. Finding a trained professional for age appropriate swim lessons is crucial to swimming safety.

Enrolling your child in a swim course also allows them to interact with other lake-loving children around their age! But, if classes don’t seem like the best fit, you can always teach them yourself.

Use a Buddy System

Swimming is a sport that is best enjoyed with a friend.

swimming safety

Even the most skilled swimmers can run into unexpected difficulties, such as cramps or sudden fatigue, when swimming in lakes.

As a general guideline, children under 12 should never be around the water alone. Also, be sure to have a sober adult watching children at all times.

Teach Swimming Safety 

Make sure to set specific swimming safety rules around your lake home that apply to all family members and guest. It is a good idea to write these rules out and post them where they can be seen easily.

Teach everyone your rules, and be sure they understand breaking the rules violates their personal safety.

To get started, check out The America Red Cross’ detailed listing of useful tips and rules for safely swimming in lakes during the summer.

Essential Items to Always Keep Aboard Your Boat

Posted on Glenn S. Phillips

There are many ways that you can ensure safety as well as enjoyment as a boat operator. It is a good idea to familiarize yourself with boat safety equipment and consider items that will provide peace of mind while using your vessel.

First, always ensure that you have the valid Certificate of Number or registration card while the boat is in use. This will allow you to prove registration and ownership.

You should keep at least one wearable life jacket for each person on board your boat. The life jackets must be U.S. Coast Guard-approved, which will be indicated on the label. They also must be the appropriate size for each person and in good condition. A life ring or flotation cushion must be kept on board for vessels 16 feet or longer.Essential Item: Life jacket

In the case of an emergency, a whistle and an emergency light are necessary. Emergency lights come in many varieties. Varieties such as strobe lights that can be attached to the boat, lantern-styles, and utility style for bright, adequate illumination.

Distress signals are required for boat use as well. These signals can be orange distress flags (used by day only) or signal flares (for use by night).

Another required item to keep on board is a fire extinguisher. Although you are surrounded by water, it is still necessary to keep a fire extinguisher handy in case of a fire while under way. Be sure that you have the correct type for your boat, meeting the minimum requirements for the size and type of your vessel.

There are some situations in which you may need to make lots of noise. Noise besides that of the laughter and fun from passengers on board. In meeting, crossing, or overtaking situations, sound signals are required, particularly during times of reduced visibility or while at anchor. You will need to keep at least one sound producing device available. These can be a bell, a whistle, air horn, or gong.

To aid in navigation, it is helpful to keep a waterproof map available for reference. Many boats come equipped with GPS, which is the most convenient way to navigate waters. But, in the absence of GPS, keeping a waterproof map would ensure efficient navigation.

Waterproof maps also inform you of any marine hazards, general configuration, and character of the lake floor. They also include prominent landmarks and port facilities.

Besides safety equipment, there are many things that you can keep on your boat that will ensure comfort and convenience. A VHF Radio would be used for communication and emergency traffic, and an AM-FM radio would be great for your favorite tunes or to catch up on local news.

Essential Items: compassA compass is a great idea to keep on board, as well. You can purchase a magnetic compass to ensure that your boat is pointed in the right direction at all times.

Be sure to always keep a tow line on board, and that it is an efficient length. 75′ is recommended, by at least 1/2″ thick. A small marine tool kit and spare parts would come in handy should you ever find yourself in a situation that requires repair.

Waterproof flashlights in various sizes and styles can be purchased as well. These are easy to tuck into a small space out of the way. Don’t forget extra batteries! Extra fuel is a plus, as well as a First Aid Kit, cell phone, (in a waterproof case), personal identification, and binoculars.

To ensure personal comfort, carry with you a change of clothes and foul weather gear such as a poncho or rain jacket. Also keep sunscreen, bottled water, and snacks, in order to combat UV rays, and stay hydrated.

To make things easy for yourself, create a Pre-Departure Checklist to be sure you haven’t forgotten anything once you’re underway.

Preparation is key to having a great time.  With proper safety and convenient equipment, you can enjoy hours on your boat in relaxation, fun, and pleasure.