Boat Safety Tips and Check List

Boating can be a fun time whether it's for pleasure or for a fishing tournament. Do you know the safety precautions you need to take to operate your boat in a safe and well mannered way? In this article I'm going to cover some basic common sense that you can use while operating your watercraft.

First I want to cover some basics that we all should know.

1 - Carry only a coast guard approved life vest. Each passenger should have one.

2- Operate your boat at a safe speed and have someone looking out for other boaters or swimmers.

3 - Make sure to obey all signs and barriers, they are there for a reason.

4 - Do not jump your boat over a wake. If you cross them slow down and look out for others.

5 - Always have a passenger with you while boating. You never know when you may have something go wrong and need an extra hand.

6 - Always be polite and respect other boaters. Give them the same respect you would like.

7 - Make sure to put your boat in the water at designated areas.

8 - Never leave trash lying around. If you did not do it be nice and pick it up anyway and dispose of properly.

Second let's talk about checking the safety of your boat before entering into the water.

1 - Make sure to carry a charged fire extinguisher.

2 - Carry a referee whistle. Make sure your boat cleats are bolted and that a backing plate is used.

3 - Make sure your engine is in good working order before you leave. You would hate to be towed back to shore.

4 - Always have a device to pump out water in case of an emergency.

5 - Lines and docking equipment should be in good working condition. Check them periodically for damage.

6 - If you plan to boat at night, make sure all lights on your boat are in working order. If you see a boats red light and white light you generally have the give way position. If you see red, green and the white light that means you are meeting the boat head on. Seeing only the white light means you are running into the stern of the other boat. Seeing the green and white means you are the boat or privilege. If you see yellow lights it usually means a boat is being towed or is very large. Rule of thumb, night boating is always more dangerous, so slow your speed down.

7 - Carry spare bulbs in case one goes out.

8 - Have boating registration on board with you at all times.

9 - Having floating devices on board.

10 - Make sure to keep paddles on board.

11 - First aid kit for emergencies.

12 - Tools and spare parts you may need in case of boat problems.

13 - Extra clothing in case you're gone longer than expected.

14 - Make sure someone that is not going with you knows where you will be going and the time frame in which you are to be gone and expected to return.

15 - Always carry your personal identification. If you were to have an accident, emergency workers will need to know who you are.

One rule I would like to stress. Please do not drink and operate your boat. Many accidents can and will happen due to drinking on the water. Boating is supposed to be fun and end fun not tragically. Be safe and enjoy a great time on the water.

I also have some fishing tips as well.

Fishing for catfish checkout: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2032056/fishing_for_channel_catfish.html?cat=11

Fishing for bass checkout: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2021990/bass_fishing_casting_techniques.html?cat=11