Boat Safety Checklist

If you’re ready to dust off the boat and hit the open water, stop. Don’t head out before you go over your safety checklist. Every boat owner should have a checklist of safety rules and equipment that should be checked every time, before the boat ever touches the water. From the boat’s outer shell down to its propeller, every part should be in good working order before shoving off. Not checking into safety can have dire consequences, so a checklist is a smart thing to complete.

Why you ask?

To ensure a fun and safe trip out on the open water, every part of a boat from its propeller to its radio system should be checked before heading out. Even the most insignificant of items can become very important in an emergency situation.

The safety checklist that you use for your boat should cover many different items and equipment, including the engine and propeller. Some of the most common items to make sure are onboard are personal flotation devices, navigational charts and a radio. But when it comes to the subject of safety many more items should be considered.

A must to do before leaving your home is a weather check. Tune into to the local weather forecasts for your area and the areas in which you plan on boating. Any hints of bad weather could spell out disaster for your planned excursion and doom for your safety if not checked before you leave. Gather information on tides and winds, just because no storms are coming does not mean that you are safe. High winds can lead to bad chop on the water, which can lead to the possibility of your boat being capsized. While out on the water keep a marine radio on board tuned into a station that gives regular weather reports just in case an unexpected storm comes into the area.

If your plans are taking you to a large body of water, one in which land can no longer be seen, it is important to carry a few different items with you. Emergency rations should be kept on board your boat in a sealed container that floats. If there is an accident that leaves you without your boat being able to stay afloat then food and water in a floatable container can keep you alive until help can reach you. The food items should be small but nutritious. For those boaters enjoying the spray of salt water, it’s recommended to bring a few gallons of fresh water along for the ride, too.

Another item that should be considered is an inflatable raft. Even small boats can run into trouble that can cause the craft to sink, if you plan to go out far from the shore then an inflatable craft can keep you out of the water even if your main boat sinks. Along with this inflatable craft you should include oars. If for some reason your boat’s engine should stop working, the oars could provide you with a means to return to shore instead of leaving you at the mercy of nature.

These are just a small part of the safety checklist every boat owner should have and utilize before their boat ever enters the water.