Boating Safety

Category: Home and Family

Accidents are on the rise with personal watercraft, more commonly known as "Jet Ski", "Sea Doo", and "Waverunner". The popular craft have brought fun but more danger for watersport enthusiasts. The users of these watercraft need to balance fun with a healthy dose of common sense. The feeling of freedom should not get in the way of common sense. OBSERVE no wake laws. Respect other's space in the water. READ the information and instructions that came with your craft. BOAT SLAPPING, the practice of riding close enough to a freighter or boat to touch it, is very dangerous and a forbidden activity on the water. WAKE JUMPING, as well as riding too fast or too close to other watercraft, is illegal and carries stiff penalties, fines and possibly some jail time for the reckless or drunk operator. RECKLESS DRIVING is defined as operating in a way that endangers the operator or others. Every state has boating laws that you must obey. In addition to laws, take some time to learn the safe boating guidelines, designed to prevent accidents and preserve life. LEARN to swim. If you cannot swim wear a Type II Coast Guard approved life vest. NEW RULE of thumb is that there should be no less than a 1-2 ratio of swimmers to non-swimmers for rescue safety. NEVER OVERLOAD a boat. This is asking for trouble! SIT QUIETLY when boating. Do not scuffle while on board a boat. Do not change seats when the water is rough; you might get thrown out of the craft. DO NOT try to swim to shore from an overturned boat even if you are a good swimmer. Hold on to the boat and wait for help. WEAR sneakers or rubber soles shoes to Avoid slipping. Wear a hat to protect yourself from the sun. No matter what kind of boat you operate, make sure you are qualified and know what to do if you encounter bad weather, crowded water conditions, or any other potential danger. Know and obey the laws of boating.

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