How to Stay Safe on the Water this Season

Author: Herrington Harbour

Here are some boating tips to keep you safe on the waterways this summer.

1.  Maintain a speed in the channel high enough that allows all boats to maintain headway and steerage, yet low enough not to produce a wake.

2.  Use clear, proper signals and radio terminology.  You may hail “I intend to leave you on my port” or signal one short blast.

3.  In order to avoid endangering the maneuverability of a vessel behind you, wait until you are out of the channel to hoist your sails.

4.  Inspect all safety equipment on board and make sure you and your crew know how to properly use the devices.

5.  Test your VHF radio to ensure it is in proper working condition.

6.  Be alert and monitor changing weather conditions.

7.  Tell someone where you are going and an approximate time that you will return.

This entry was posted on Thursday, April 28th, 2011 at 1:57 PM and is filed under Boating. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.