How to Safely Drive a Boat at Night

If the days have you contemplating frying an egg on the sidewalk, here's little more inviting during the heat of summer than a night time boat ride or fishing trip. Unlike the sweltering heat of the day, the weather is usually inviting, and comparatively mild. During the early fall months, the weather isn't just mild at night, it's downright pleasing, relaxing and comfortable. As an added bonus, for those who don't venture too far offshore, the mosquitoes tend to be a bit scarcer as the temperatures start to cool.

Night time boating is much riskier than during the day however. After dark, the local water that is oh so familiar to you during the daylight hours can seem as unfamiliar as the surface of the moon. While night time boating is highly enjoyable, or even romantic, you should make it a point to take extra safety measures when you take the boat out at night. There's nothing less romantic than a boating emergency!

For starters, you need to know what the U.S. Coastguard requires for safety, and follow those rules to the letter. Make sure that you have you boat fitted with the appropriate safety equipment. You will need a flotation device, such as a life jacket, enough for every passenger on board. Even the best swimmers shouldn't be taking any risks when it comes to night time boating. There's no way to know if the water is as safe as it may look. The surface may very well look like a sheet of glass, but that doesn't mean it would be easy to navigate should you or a passenger go overboard! You also should have a flotation device that you can throw, like a life preserver, with a rope attached in case someone goes overboard and they are not wearing a flotation device.

Light is absolutely essential. You need to have the required light(s) on your boat, and it is most helpful to have a waterproof flashlight or lantern available as well. If your boat should capsize, you will need light to know where you are going. Let's hope you never have to find out just how essential that light would be in that situation! Your boat should have lights at both the bow and stern, and those lights need to be turned on as soon as visibility is reduced. Venturing out in complete darkness is simply a foolish idea. Not only are you putting you and your passengers at risk, you are creating a danger for other boaters on the water, even though they have probably chosen to take the necessary safety precautions. Let's face it, another boat running you over because you didn't turn on any lights and they couldn't see you is a surefire way to ruin your boating trip in a hurry! Boating at night with no lights is also illegal nearly everywhere in the U.S.

In case an emergency does occur, you need to carry a horn, or some other loud noise making device on your boat. This will allow you to send a distress signal, if necessary, and warn approaching vessels of your position. You will need to carry flares, and a flare gun, which is most helpful in case of an emergency. You need to also be certain you carry with you a fire extinguisher that meets or exceeds safety standards. Of course, an anchor is also essential.

One last note...if you plan to do a lot of night time boating, it would be a wise decision to invest in a two way radio, and a GPS navigation device, to be certain you are never lost, and never without contact with the rest of the world, even when you're off in your own world on the water.