Sponsor Links

Home arrow Pontoon Boating Safety
Boats and Safe Boating
Boats And Safe Boating By Jerry Tarrer Safety Boating is one of the favorite American summer pastimes. Somewhere in the neighborhood of 70 million people go boating each year. While boating is much safer than driving a car, there are still enough boating accidents to raise some alarm signals as to why boating accidents occur. 53% of fatal boating accident victims drowned, while 39% suffered trauma and 9% died of other causes. Most boating deaths result from falling out of a small open boat, without a PFD, whether it capsizes or not. Make sure that all boaters have on flotation devices. When boating be alert to sudden boat motion changes, wind shifts, light flashes and the beginning of choppy water. These sudden changes can all mean a storm is brewing. Always carry a radio with the local “Marine Band” on it. The Marine Band broadcasts storm warnings, which should alert you to head in to a dock until the storm blows over. On The Water There is no excuse for littering, especially on the water. The litter that you throw into the water can contaminate fish, the water that goes to our cities, and surrounding farmlands. Going out on the boat with your family can be a fun experience that can create many happy childhood memories for your children. Growing up on the water is an experience that not all children get to have. If sunbathing is a priority, then a calm inlet where you can tie floats to the boat and be lazy in the water is a perfect spot. Many now rent houseboats where they spend their vacations enjoying the peace and tranquility of the waterways. Canoes Canoes are designed for ease of getting in and out, especially for older folks wishing to get into the sport. Canoes are versatile and practical for a number of reasons, and can work in a number of different situations. When it comes to introducing yourself to the water, canoes are a great place to start. The longer canoes are excellent for long open water trips, but you can also buy one-person smaller canoes for running white water. One feature that the canoe has over the Kayak is its storage capacity, which allows passengers to haul large amounts of accessories and supplies on extended water trips. Canoes however can sometimes be difficult to transport, unless you have a full-sized pickup truck and especially if you plan on loading it yourself. Another drawback of canoes is that when it rains heavily, the boat can fill up with water very rapidly. Kayaks The way kayaks are designed; they seem to blend in with the natural surroundings instead of disturbing them. Kayaks are never motorized…they are propelled manually, using one oar that has a paddle on either side. Kayaks are small, streamlined boats that have tapered ends and slightly thicker centers. There are openings in the middle that are just large enough to fit one person. One benefit that kayaks have over canoes is their portability. Kayaks are very easy to transport due to their size as compared to a canoe. Another thing that is making Kayaks very popular is their storability. Inflatable kayaks are becoming more and more popular for this main reason. The serenity of paddling your kayak along a glassy lake in the early morning or along a river through a small canyon at sunset can be an incomparable experience. Engine driven boats Before starting your engine, always carefully sniff for gasoline fumes in the engine and fuel areas, open hatches and run the blower. Fuel fires and explosions burn and kill boaters each year. People who take boat trips often fail to realize the potential disasters that can ensue if they are not careful and safe on-board their boat. Over 1,000 people die on boating trips per year, and many of the dangers associated with boating are easily preventable. Alcohol and Boating Did you know? © The use of alcohol is involved in about a third of all recreational boating fatalities? © The penalties for BUI (boating under the influence) can include large fines, revocation of operator privileges and serious jail terms? © It is illegal to operate a boat while under the influence of alcohol or drugs in every state? Every boater needs to understand the risks of boating under the influence of alcohol or drugs (BUI). The Coast Guard also enforces a federal law that prohibits BUI. This law pertains to ALL boats (from canoes and rowboats to the largest ships) — and includes foreign vessels that operate in U.S. waters, as well as U.S. vessels on the high seas. Conclusion Bottom line: don't drink and boat, wear your lifejacket, carry a radio with the Marine Band on it, take a safe boating course and maintain a proper lookout, especially for boaters who fit the profile of an accident-maker. Each year hundreds of lives are lost... thousands are injured... and millions of dollars of property damage occurs because of preventable recreational boating accidents on U.S. waterways. Too often pleasure outings turn tragic. You — as a boat operator, passenger, or concerned individual — can make a difference. Copyright © 2007 Jerry Tarrer About the Author: The Author Jerry T. was born in a small coal-mining town in West Virginia. At the end of World War II his father returned from the war and moved the entire family to Chicago Illinois. He was educated in the inner city completing high school and 2 years of college. Jerry became a Master Lithographer and worked in his field for 37 years. Jerry is the father of 5 adult children and 13 grandchildren. The author is now fulfilling his dream of having a business of his own at http://www.SecuritySpy4U.com
 
Boating and Towing Safely
Boating And Towing Safely By Jesse Taylor Buying a boat is a real delight and is sure to bring anyone many fond memories with their loved ones. However, it is also a major job to own a boat and to drive it safely. For the most part, the vast majority of purchasers do indeed run their schooner within safety advisements and never cause anyone to be in any danger. While it is a very critical to manage a boat safely, it is also paramount to haul your boat with safety in mind as well. Boating safely is your responsibility and not taking it earnestly can have serious legal and/or financial after-effects. Here are a few boating safety tips to help you get your boat to and from the water again with no problems. Two paramount things are needed to tow your boat safely: a trailer and a vehicle to tow with. Where towing and boating safety are concerned, you never want to have the total mass of the boat exceed the hauling proficiency of the trailer. In fact, the towing capacity should surpass the gross towing weight of the boat. Pushing equipment to test its limits is not real safe boating practices and is a situation bound for failure. The hauling proficiency of the tow vehicle has to exceed the combined weight of the trailer and schooner. Many people take the weight of the boat into account but fail to remember to add that to the weight of the trailer. If the total mass of the trailer and craft outweighs the transporting proficiency of the vehicle used to pull it, huge car transmission and engine damage may result. Remember, true boating safety will not push equipment at or beyond its tolerance. Doing this can compromise you and other drivers out there. After all, if the automobile is not meant to pull the weight it is being asked to haul, then the brakes will not function as planned and big issues may result-including complete brake failure. After running the boat all day, it is not surprising that you will get some water in your boat. Boating safely means draining this excess water before driving. Choosing not to do so may result in that water sloshing around when you are driving. Since a mere 100 gallons of water weighs nearly 800 pounds, the swishing weight can many times cause dilemmas while driving. Boating safely may require some extra time, but the surplus energy can mean the difference between a perfect time at the lake or a horrible day that should have been avoided by taking a few extra minutes before departing.
 
10 Reasons to do a Basic Boating Course
10 Reasons To Do A Basic Boating Course! By Willie Jones Boating is a great adventure on any type of boat and is being enjoyed by many on a daily basis, but with that comes a great responsibility. It is not mandatory to do a boating course at this time but there are some very good reasons to get your self informed about the rules of the road. 1) You will learn about safety equipment and what you are required to have on your boat before you undertake any boating excursion. This is very important because what you don’t have with you could make the difference between being able to handle a situation or not. Also, that outing for the day could cost you if the sheriff stops you to spot check your boat and fines you for not having all the safety equipment required for your specific boat. 2) You will learn that driving a boat is vastly different from driving a car. You are dealing with air and water currents. If you have never docked a boat you may think that it is easy, until that is, the current is pulling you in the opposite direction that you want to go. Understanding air and water currents will help you learn how to dock your boat. 3) Knowing how to work with lines and tying knots is part of boating. You have to be able to secure a boat properly. If your boat gets away, it is amazing how quickly the current will take it out of your reach and you will probably require the assistance of another boater to help you get to it. So learn your knots. 4) You will learn what the channel markers mean. We learned the hard way the first time we went out on a boat and ran aground outside the markers. We also had no clue what the red and green markers meant on the poles. This you also learn on the course. 5) There are speed limits on certain water ways but unlike the roads, they may or may not be posted. Ignorance may not be enough to get you out of a ticket. 6) Using charts for coastal navigation can be a life saver. It’s your road map that helps you stay away from the shallows and shows where all the markers and bridges are, and by using measurements you can calculate the distance and time it will take to get somewhere. It can be valuable tool for navigation. 7) Just like on the roads, there is the right of way. On a boating course you will learn who has the right of way and why. 8) Every boat should have a horn. You may hear one long toot or 2 short toot and so on, and you’ll learn what they mean. 9) There are boating regulations and laws that must be followed by all boaters, for example, (and I have seen this rule broken so many times) you are not allowed to sit on the bow of the boat with your feet hanging over board. There are many more regulations to learn and not knowing them can cost you. 10) Anchoring a boat is not just a matter of plopping it down to the sand. There is a mathematical technique applied to anchoring that has to do with the size and length of your boat. Knowing how to do this correctly will give you that extra insurance of knowing your boat is going nowhere until you want to move it. There are different ways to enjoy pleasure boating such as the fast pace of ski boating or the slow pace of a trawler, kayaking or canoeing. In whatever way you want to do it, it is a good idea to know the rules of the road. Then you can avoid potential situations and get on with the fun of being out there with all that sky, sun, water, family and friends.
 
Forgotten Dangers of Boating
The Forgotten Dangers Of Boating By Boating Source Boating is one of the most enjoyable outdoor activities for people of all ages. Over time, boating has evolved into a safer activity, however much work still needs to be done in terms of safety education. Many recreational boaters make the mistake of assuming they can beat the odds, but without proper preparation this may not be the case. Proper Equipment When planning for a boating trip it is incredibly important to prepare your safety equipment properly. This includes but is not limited to a flares, horn, water bailer and lifejackets. A trip plan is also an essential part of safe boating. A trip plan is basically contains information about where you plan to go boating. It should be filed with someone responsible that can take the proper steps should an emergency occur. Lifejackets Lifejackets are essential for people of all ages. The misconception largely exists that if a child falls in the water an adult in decent physical condition will be able to save them. This is a very dangerous assumption as it is not always the case. Often a child that falls into the water will go below the surface of the water which means they may be hard to spot. Also, sometimes it is not immediately apparent that a child has fallen into the water. You may not even realize until it is already too late. Man Overboard When someone falls overboard it is important to not immediately jump in after them to try to save them. Someone who is struggling to stay above water may unwittingly pull their potential rescuer under water with them. Instead, you should use the proper safety equipment such as safety buoys and rope which will float on the surface. Hypothermia Hypothermia remains a large risk when boating in cooler waters. Someone who falls overboard could succumb to hypothermia thus limited their physical abilities and mental decisions. Their risk of survival drastically drops the longer they are in the water. Again, it is important not to jump in after them in an attempt to save them as the rescuer could themselves succumb to the cold waters. Electrocution Power lines are the most common cause of electrocution while boating. Proper care is rarely taken in ensuring that a metal part of the boat such as the mast touches a power line. This carelessness has led to many deaths or serious injuries over the years. Weather Careful consideration must be taken when determining the amount of effect the weather will have on your boating experience. Pay attention to the forecast ahead of time to make sure that bad weather is not approaching. Even while out on the water it is extremely important to pay attention to the marine forecast for your area as well as the colors and activity in the sky. In conclusion, boating is a very enjoyable activity, however at no point should the safety aspects of boating be underestimated.
 
More...