9 Ways to Participate in Safe Boating Week

Spending a day at the helm of your boat is one of the best ways to enjoy the summer season. Cruising with family, wake surfing, tying up with friends or posting up at a dockside restaurant are all fun activities boaters love to do. However, it’s important to enjoy our time out on the water in a safe manner. It’s no coincidence that as we approach Memorial Weekend, Safe Boating Week falls just before, May 21st-27th. There are plenty of resources to keep your safety skills up to par, after all you wouldn’t want to end up on The Qualified Captain's Instagram page. There are so many ways to play it safe on the water and still have a great time. These 9 tips are a good guideline to follow when going out on the water this season.

1. Learn the proper techniques to leave you stress free when taking the boat out. There are a number of recreational boating safety programs to influence safe boating behaviors. We recommend any of the courses offered by The National Safe Boating Council or BoatUS.

2. Know your state's boating rules and regulations. Boating and fishing regulations vary per state. Wayzata Marine has one location in Minnesota, click here for the Boating Rules & Regulations listed by the Minnesota DNR.

3. Check your boat’s systems before going out. This includes the engine, navigation and communication electronics, lights and pumps. If you’re just getting your boat ready for spring you may consider taking your boat into the dealership for a spring commissioning.

4. Check the weather before heading out. Get a full weather report for the time you will be on the water. We know forecasters are not perfect so be sure to always keep an eye on the sky and be aware of building winds and clouds. www.USHarbors.com is a great resource, they offer coastal and marine weather, tide charts and local harbor information.

5. Be familiar with your boat's capacity limit. Boat manufacturers are required to test each mode with the USCG to determine the load capacity. The manufacturer is required to display a plaque on or near the helm console that states the passenger capacity, based on an average 184 pounds per passenger. Even yacht certified boats have a total weight capacity that includes passengers, gear, motor and horsepower capacity. Make sure to have an idea of the capacity of your passengers and cargo before heading out.

6. Ensure your boat safety equipment is in good usable condition. This includes life jackets for each passenger, fire extinguishers, signaling devices like flares, and a medical kit. It’s also a good idea to get a FREE Vessel Safety check performed by your local Power Squadron. Boat owners who pass the inspection are provided with a decal to display.

7. Use your engine cut-off switch or install a wireless option. Unexpected falls overboard can result in being struck by the propeller or the boat and victims could also drown if they aren’t wearing a life jacket and aren’t able to be found and brought back on board quickly. The red coiled lanyard can save the life of the boat operator if he/she falls overboard unexpectedly. A wireless system with FOBs for all passengers lets the operator know if a passenger winds up in the water.
 

8. Discuss boating etiquette with your passengers. Seemingly simple tasks and general rules are not always so simple to new boaters. Before you take off make sure you have gone over the basics and rules of common courtesy.

9. Don't drink and drive. Boating Under the Influence (BUI) of alcohol and drugs has been the leading contributing factor in fatal boating accidents for the last 20 years. BUI is illegal in every state, and it is 100% preventable.