The Importance of Boating Safety: An Easy Guide to Keeping Safe and Stress-free

Boating is a favorite summer pastime for many, but it comes with a personal responsibility for safety. The more informed and better prepared you are for inclement weather, an accident or mechanical breakdown, the less likely you are to encounter personal injury, considerable repair costs because of damages to your boat and other inconveniences. Prepare yourself by completing the following tips on boating safety, and relax on your recreational watercraft knowing you’re ready for the unexpected:

Boat safety equipment checklist – Begin by covering all of your safety equipment bases. Be sure to include this critical boat safety equipment on your watercraft:

• Personal flotation devices (PFD) - PFDs are critical to personal safety. The U.S. Coast Guard reports that 90 percent of boating accident drowning victims did not wear a life jacket. Help counteract this alarming statistic by implementing proper PFD use on your boat. Stow one life jacket per person on your watercraft, within easy reach. Make sure that children have youth-designed PFDs. Always wear your life jacket during inclement weather, rough seas and high-traffic boating areas, and require your passengers to do the same.
• Visual distress signal (VDS) - If you are in a crisis on the water, a VDS can alert others that you need help. Requirements vary according to watercraft size and type, but daytime VDS devices can include signal mirrors and flags. Nighttime VDS equipment includes flares, strobe lights, lanterns and flashlights.
• Fire extinguishers - A boating safety must-have, fire extinguishers can douse flames and bring you back to safety, in many cases. Given that most recreational boats have fuel, electrical equipment and other fire hazards on board, carrying a working fire extinguisher is an important safety precaution for any boater.
• Navigation lights - In areas of low visibility, navigation lights can alert other boaters of your presence and are critical in preventing collisions. Some boat safety equipment manufacturers now offer energy efficient, battery-powered LED navigation lights that have a 100,000-hour service life.

For further information, consult the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary website for a comprehensive vessel safety checklist, including a helpful interactive guide that tailors boat safety equipment recommendations to the specifications of your vessel size and style.

How you can be proactive - When it comes to boating, you can never be too cautious. Prepare for the unexpected by staying informed on safety updates and protocols. Think about training for "worst case scenario" situations, which are unlikely, but can and do happen. For instance, consider educating yourself in cold-water survival techniques. The 2009 Safe Boating Campaign offers an instructional Cold Water Boot Camp training DVD that takes you through the critical steps to surviving cold-water minute by minute.

In addition, the National Safe Boating Council, an organization established in 1958 and dedicated to enhancing the safety of the recreational boating experience through education and outreach, publishes three newsletters a year (available online). Topics cover everything from safe boating tips and best practices to safety contests for children and regional safety awards. It also offers a comprehensive list of associations that offer online boating safety courses, and a wealth of other watercraft safety resources.

Finally, boating accidents accounted for over $43.5 million worth of property damage in 2006, not including accidents resulting in less than $2,000 in damages. You’ve spent a lot of time and money on your boat. Review your boat insurance policy to ensure the interests of your passengers, yourself and your boat are protected with comprehensive boat coverage tailored to your needs. If you have questions, contact a reputable company like Nationwide today for further details.