Before you take your boat out for a fun day on the water, it is very important to check that you have all the necessary safety gear. So, here are some of the basics to keep you and your passengers safe.
Life Jackets
It is required that each person on board have a life jacket available. Anyone who rides a personal watercraft must wear a life jacket at all times. Children under 12 must wear them while the boat is moving. And in case of any emergency it must be the first thing all passengers put on.
Throwable flotation device
Apart from life jackets it is required to have at least one throwable flotation device on board. In case of an emergency you must have it at hand and ready to throw into the water immediately.
Visual Signaling Devices
The visual distress signal that your boat requires will depend on its size. The most common signaling devices are flares, strobe light and orange/white smoke.
Sound Signaling Devices
These devices come in handy when the day is foggy, they can be used during the day and at night. Horns and whistles are the most common devices used on all boats.
Fire Extinguisher
The size of your vessel will determine the amount of fire extinguishers required on board. It is important to know how they work in case you need to act quickly in an emergency.
Here at Breeze Boat Lifts we care about your safety. For more information on boating safety check out www.uscgboating.org/recreational-boaters/. If you have any questions on the boat lift side of your boating adventures, call us at 850-244-4567, our team is happy to help.