Boat Safety 101

Operating a boat means being responsible for the welfare of yourself, your passengers, and anyone else you may encounter on the water. Following basic boat safety protocols can help with this and ensure that you don’t come to harm or do serious damage to your vessel out on the water.

Know Your Boat Controls

First, you should know how your boat operates. Review the owner’s manual and the controls before you start out. Also, appoint a skipper who can learn how to operate your boat in case of an emergency. Make sure your passengers, particularly children, understand the rules of the boat, too.

Carry Safety Gear

Your boat should always have the safety ear needed to address emergencies. A first-aid kit will help you to deal with injuries and illnesses. Personal flotation devices (PFDs) or life jackets should be worn by all passengers at all times. Keep a throwable life ring handy as well.

Be a Responsible Operator

As the person at the helm, you must remain vigilant and behave responsibly. Always watch the path ahead to ensure there are no people in the water or boats or other objects in your way. Keep your boat at a reasonable speed and give other crafts a wide berth when passing them. Also, never use drugs or alcohol before or during your trip. Such substances can reduce your focus and increase your chance of taking risks, putting you and your passengers in danger.

Come see us at our dealership in Clinton, CT, so you can check out our new and used boats for sale. Clinton Harborside Marina serves our customers in the cities of West Haven and Milford, CT.