The unofficial last weekend of summer is just around the corner. Yeah we know. It's hard to believe that summer is has come and gone so quickly. Like many boaters, you will want to take advantage of the long weekend to spend quality time with family and friends (and maybe some alone time too) aboard your boat. So we have 5 tips to help you and your loved ones stay safe while boating this Labor Day weekend.
Wear a life jacket – Life jackets save lives, but only if you wear them. Don’t forget that children under the age of 13 are required to wear life jackets by law.
Designate a sober skipper – Drinking alcohol or taking drugs (even some over-the-counter or prescription medicines) decreases reaction time and the ability to think clearly at the helm.
Carry a VHF radio – Cell phones can be unreliable on the water where coverage is often spotty or nonexistent. A VHF radio lets you broadcast a call for help to anyone in your area monitoring Channel 16. Before heading out, make sure your VHF is operational by performing a radio check.
Don’t overload the boat – The number of seats available on board is not always the best indicator of capacity. Look for the weight capacity plate on the transom or by the helm, or look up the passenger capacity in the builder’s manual.
Stay in tune with the weather – Storms can sneak up on you, especially when you’re having fun on the water and not paying attention. Appoint weather watchers for your boat and ask them to listen to the VHF for the latest reports.
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