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Boating Safety Tips

Sep. 3 2021 Buying Guide By American Marine & Motorsports

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Safety is the priority for any boat trip. While you can't prevent every possible situation, you can take proactive steps to help ensure a safe voyage. We've gathered up the following essential boating safety tips. For more safety tips or to shop boats for sale, visit American Marine & Motorsports. Our dealership is based in Shawano, Wisconsin, and we also serve Green Bay and Appleton.

Check the Weather

It's easy to get caught up in the excitement of a boat trip...and forget to check in with Mother Nature. Before each voyage, double check the weather forecast. Make sure there are no anticipated heavy winds, heavy rain, or storms. Poor weather conditions can not only lead to an unpleasant boat ride, it can create an unsafe one.

Appoint an Assistant Skipper

Make sure there is at least one other person on board who knows how to control the boat. If something should happen to the captain, the assistant skipper will be able to get everyone safely back to land.

Give Your Itinerary to Someone on Shore

Tell someone back on land where you will be going and how long you expect to be gone. If you become stranded and unable to reach help, the person on shore will be able to contact help and direct the authorities to your general area.

Bring Safety Equipment

Boating safety involves some essential supplies.

Be sure to have:

  • Fire extinguishers that are not expired.
  • An emergency radio to call for help.
  • Flares to signal for help.
  • A GPS other than your cell phone (in case the batteries die or you can't get a signal).
  • A first aid kit to handle minor medical emergencies.

Prepare the Passengers

Review the boating safety rules with everyone, such as to stay seated while the boat is in motion. Younger children may need reminders throughout their first few boat trips too. Show the adults on board where the first aid kit, emergency supplies, fire extinguisher, and other safety items are stored.

Everyone getting onto the boat also needs to have a life jacket. This includes strong swimmers. It's possible to get injured while falling overboard in a way that makes it difficult to keep yourself afloat. Plus, it sets a good example for any children on board if the adults also wear their life jackets.

Pass Other Boats Safely

If you want to pass someone, be sure to give them a wide berth and stay to the right. Keep your eyes peeled for any swimmers, water skiers, or other people who may be in the water near the boat.

Want more boating safety tips? Looking to shop boats for sale? Whatever you need, the experts at American Marine & Motorsports are here to help. Contact us or stop by our dealership in Shawano, Wisconsin. We also serve those in Green Bay and Appleton, Wisconsin.