Boating season is quickly approaching! Here are a few safety tips for you, from our trusty Boat Smart Manual. It’s all good.

Boating Tips:

• The captain should go over where the life jackets are located so that if the captain gives the order for everyone to don them, people aren’t wasting precious time tripping over each and tearing things apart trying to find them! It’s amazing how many boats have them tucked away somewhere out of sight, and the majority of guests/crew have no idea where to find them. By the way, part of the USCG requirement concerning PFDs states that they must be readily accessible. That does not mean in the storage compartment in the V-berth under two cases of your favourite beverage.
• Note: you should always wear a PDF or life-jacket when on a boat especially children.
• Trip Plan (or “Float Plan”) should always be left with a responsible person who knows what to do in case of emergency. Even for a short boating trip, you should let a person know where you will be boating when you are expected to arrive home.
• When overtaking a slower vessel in open water, do so with as much room as depth conditions allow and slow your speed, if necessary, to avoid rocking the other vessel. There is nothing worse than being below in a slow trawler or sailboat, cooking breakfast, and being suddenly overtaken in close quarters by a loud, wake-throwing, go-fast boater. Especially, if the wake causes the hot bacon grease and coffee to be thrown around the galley.
• In the event you fall into the water and waiting to be rescued hopefully you have a proper PFD (personal flotation device) or Life jacket, wade in water, bend your knees and float onto your back. Endure the PFD or Life-jacket keeps your chin above the water and permits proper breathing.

For more tips or to obtain your Boat License please visit the Boat Smart Canada website https://www.boatsmartexam.com/en/