Equip Your Boat for Safety
Boating is one of the most enjoyable warm-weather pastimes across the globe. Whether you prefer to set sail upon salty oceans, placid seas, amusing lakes or quaint ponds, for business or pleasure, boating is an amazing activity for the whole family. But boating, like all recreational activities, requires a certain set of safety requirements. While boating certainly is fun, a boat is still a piece of equipment and must be treated as such. Furthermore, weather conditions, fellow boaters and other circumstances you can't control, may provide some unexpected circumstances that could jeopardize you or your loved ones' safety. By properly preparing for any circumstance before you push off from shore, you will be ready any thing thrown your way--unless you're boarded by pirates, of course.
Steps
- Understand which regulations apply to you and your boat. Each country has slightly different laws and rules for boats. In the USA, for example, the US Coast Guard (USCG) has rules for most boats on "coastal waters", but each state may have additional rules of their own, on "inland waters", where USCG rules are not applicable to the same extent. In Canada, Transport Canada has jurisdiction over maritime travel. It is your responsibility to understand the rules that apply to you and your boat, regardless of where it is being operated. This article is focused upon recreational boating, based upon USCG regulations, as a template for understanding similar rules that may apply elsewhere.
- The laws and rules generally vary according to whether it is a recreational vessel or one that is used for transport of paying passengers or other commercial uses. Commercial operators should obtain expert advice regarding the numerous additional rules that apply to their particular boat and its commercial use.
- Different rules also apply when the boat has an engine (or electric motor) and for longer boats, among other things.
- Understand the variety of safety risks associated with boating safety. There are numerous rules for safety of the boat itself, and for its safe operations, as well as for the personal safety of passengers, including the possibility of requiring rescue.
- Some boats are required to have proper identification, registration, inspection and licensing for everyone's safety. The equipment regulations for the boat and passengers form an integral part of such inspections.
- Many other types of small recreational vessels are not as heavily regulated, but boaters may still be required to comply with basic safety features. Certain exemptions may also apply for limited use within bathing areas close to shore.
- Determine the classification that applies to your boat according to its location, type, size, use and source of power.
- US Coast Guard regulations apply to vessels located upon coastal waters of the USA, upon certain other "navigable waterways", and to vessels of US registration when operated on the high seas.
- Types of recreational boats include motorboats, sailboats, paddlecraft (including canoes, kayaks and paddleboards), and enclosed or open boats, among others.
- Sizes of boats for safety needs are generally divided into: under {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}}, {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}}, {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}}, and {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} and over.
- The use of a boat may determine exemptions or specific safety needs: recreational use refers to boats made primarily for personal pleasure and not for commercial use, such as carrying passengers for hire, even if it is for their personal pleasure.
- Sources of power relate to different equipment and personal safety requirements according to manual power (rowing, paddling), sails, and inboard or outboard engines. Note that boat with power may also have sails or be capable of being paddled or rowed, but the more strict requirements generally apply. Similarly, a canoe or other "paddlecraft" may be fitted with a motor and thus subjected to additional rules.
- Check the regulations for things the boat itself is required to have, such as navigation lights, inherent ventilation, built-in floatation and registration lettering. Equip your boat with running lights for any boating done at night. Not equipping your boat with the proper navigation lights is extremely hazardous (not to mention illegal) for you and other boaters on the water.
- Check for equipment that must be carried for your type, size, use and style of power.
- Portable fire extinguishers are generally required for motorboats or for other types of boats having cooking or heating facilities. The type, number and mounting location varies according to size and use.
- Some registered craft may be required to have a two-way radio for communicating on the VHF Maritime Service. Many non-registered vessels may also have and use such radio equipment voluntarily, without an individual license, in accord with the rules of the Federal Communication Commission (FCC).
- A throwable floatation device (i.e., a life-ring) and a lifebuoy may be required for some vessels over {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} in length, in case anyone goes overboard unexpectedly. . Kayaks and canoes are exempt from this requirement.
- Approved visual signalling devices are required aboard and readily available for boats {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} or more in length.
- Have flares (Type A, B, C and D) ready to go. In case you are ever stranded or disabled during the day or at night, flares are the best way for your boat to be seen by rescuers. Always have them and a watertight flashlight (with extra batteries) on board.
- Provide the safety equipment required for each passenger (including the operator).
- Personal flotation devices (PFDs) are generally required for all but the smallest vessels and must either be worn or stowed on top in an easily accessible way. Racing shells or canoes, and sailboards are exempt from PFD use.
- One approved Personal Flotation Device for every person aboard is mandatory. The most common PFDs are, of course, life jackets, but there are plenty of other flotation devices which can be used to ensure you and your passengers' safety in the case of any unforeseen emergency. PFDs are also available for dogs.
- Coastal cruising may require additional features such as personal lighting and reflective materials on each PFD.
- Bring waterproof charts. Charts are absolutely essential to having a safe journey. In most jurisdictions it is mandatory to have a chart aboard of the area in which you are sailing. Always know where you're going and the rules and restrictions of each new area you venture through. Follow your location on the chart and mark down any flaws you notice on the chart for future reference. Before you leave, mark down the phone number every Coast Guard, Park Ranger, or police station along the way.
- Consider other safety equipment that may be useful in your situation.
- Although not usually required by law, a man overboard pole (used for visual reference to mark the area where the person went over the side) is an excellent piece of gear to have.
- A VHF (fixed-mount or handheld) Call-Mayday-from-a-Marine-Vessel or nearby boaters should you require assistance. (Conversely, you could be the closest vessel able to render assistance to someone else.) Just beginning to be an onboard requirement is a radar reflector so large vessels can spot you easily.
- Purchase a first-aid kit suitable for the size of your boat and the number of persons usually aboard. (Or you can make one up for yourself in a waterproof bag or container.)
- Stock up on extra food and water in the case of an emergency. Even if you plan for a short journey, circumstances may change and Survive-if-Lost-at-Sea longer than intended. Food and especially water will be a necessity in such case and should always be brought along as a precaution.
- Attend to administrative requirements for your boat.
- Registration, licensing and inspection paperwork may be required on many types of recreational watercraft.
- Insure your boat, and keep a copy of your insurance on board at all times. This is actually required by the Coast Guard for offshore boating, but is also recommended even for vessels that are restricted to confined lakes.
Tips
- Always prepare for your journey by studying charts of where you plan to go and check weather conditions and forecasts well before you shove off. Know about any low-lying bridges, dams or other hazards you may face during your voyage. If you are going on an especially long journey through open water, make and file a "float plan" of your intended route and give a copy of it to the Coast Guard and a family member or friend who is not accompanying you on the journey. This will keep both parties alert on your location and safety.
