Safe Boating Tips. Did you know that in 2020, there was an increase in boat buying in Canada? Sadly, COVID struck shortly after, and many people were instructed to stay in their houses. As a result, flights to many tourist countries were canceled, and activities in certain areas were stopped.
When signs of the pandemic slowing down started to appear, boating came back with fervor. If you were amongst these boat buyers, you are probably considering taking your boat out for a spin now.
Drowning happens to be the third leading cause of death in Canada. This statistic applies to people under 60. The primary reasons behind these drownings include cold water, not wearing a life jacket, and consuming alcohol. Hence, you need to understand some safety precautions that you need to take before you set sail.
Let’s take a look at them:
Don’t Drink and Sail
As mentioned above, alcohol is one of the leading factors in boating accidents. According to a report, 34% of fatalities in boating are related to alcohol abuse.
Take a Boating Course
You must legally have a boating license to sail on any waterway in Canada. This is why you need to take a boating safety course to ensure your and your passenger’s safety.
Be Weather-Wise
We can’t stress enough how important it is to look at the weather forecast before setting sail. Let’s say you decide to take your kids out for a sail on the weekend. You plan to spend two days out on the water, and you have packed lightly.
You hear a loud boom as night falls while you sleep in the cabin with your kids. Suddenly, the water becomes choppy, and it starts to rain heavily. You hadn’t prepared for such weather. You are missing a few essentials to reach the shore safely. Luckily, you remembered to pack the radio and called for help.
Have an Assistant Skipper
Have someone on board who is familiar with all the aspects of your boat. This includes handling, boating safety, and operations. In case you are incapacitated, you and everyone else can count on the assistant skipper to get you back shore safely.
Prepare the Boat
Make sure your boat is fully stocked with all the necessary items you will and might need on your journey. Here’s a short list for you:
- Personal flotation devices
- Rules and documentation
- Distress signals
- Food and water
- Fire extinguishers
- Spare parts
- Spare batteries and a flashlight
- First aid kit
- Radio to keep tabs on the weather
Don’t forget to check the fuel levels, coolant levels, ventilation, and instrument lights, and charge the battery.
Now that you know what to look out for when boating and the things you must have on board, you will be more prepared for any emergency when you sail next time. Remember the number one boating rule: Don’t drink and sail. Even if you are a passenger, refrain from drinking alcohol as it can make you dizzy and seasick.
Nor Col EZ Dock is a company that sells plastic in docs Ontario. They have a wide range of decking materials, the most popular ones including wood and aluminum. You will find different dock designs and other dock accessories for residential and commercial use. For further information, call (800) 654-8168.