Safe Boating Week is brought to us by the National Safe Boating Council, advocates for wearing life jackets and practicing safety during boating season.
Whether you’re fishing or out for a sunset cruise, please follow these safety tips next time you take the boat out.
Wear Your Life Jacket
Drowning is the reported cause of death in 80 percent of all boating fatalities – and 83 percent of drowning victims in recreational boating accidents were not wearing a life jacket in 2016. However, boaters that were “Saved by the Jacket” know that life jackets save lives. – National Safe Boating Council
Make sure your life jacket is U.S. Coast Guard approved and fits you
A life jacket that is too large or too small can cause different situational problems.
Know the boating laws in your state
Rules and laws can differ from state to state and violations can result in ticketing, fines or jail time.
Take a boating safety course
Learn valuable tips that can help save your life in unexpected situations. Take this course for free: https://www.boatus.org/free/
“Only 13 percent of deaths occurred on boats where the operator had received boating safety instruction.”
Check the weather
Know what the weather is predicted to be while you’re away from shore, and also check the water temperature and dress properly.
Know the rules of the water
Maintain safe speeds, look both ways, always keep an eye out for other boats, jet skis, paddlers, and swimmers. Find out more at www.boatoncourse.com
“Operator inattention, operator inexperience, improper lookout, excessive speed and machinery failure as the top five primary contributing factors in accidents.”
Don’t drink while you boat
Where the primary cause was known, alcohol was listed as the leading factor in 15 percent of deaths in 2016. Find out more at www.operationdrywater.org
Keep communication lines open
Make sure you have at least two communication devices that will work when wet, like satellite phones or personal locator beacons. Your cell phone may not be reliable.
Omega Safety Training, Inc.’s primary goal is to assist companies in reaching their goals of Zero Injuries in the workplace and at home by providing high impact and high-quality safety training.
Contact us if your workplace is in need of a safety training provider.
If you’re interested in learning more about the Safe Boating Campaign, visit http://www.safeboatingcampaign.com/
