Boating Safety Tips

7/11/2019 (Permalink)

Have peace-of-mind this boating season by employing proper safety precautions.

The flooding on the Mississippi River has finally gone down. The rain has stopped (mostly) and the weather has been warm and sunny. For many of us here in the Quad Cities, this means it is time to get our boats back on the water. However, before you "dive in" to this year's boating season, it is important to be prepared in order to ensure you and your passengers are safe.

Before launching your boat, always make sure to check the weather. If the water is going to be rough and choppy, it can be unsafe for boating or swimming. Once swells pick up with high winds and currents, it becomes much easier for your boat to capsize. Also before launching, make sure that friends and family are aware of your trip, where you will be going, and what time they should expect you to return.

Once you check the weather and inform others of your trip, you are almost ready to go. But, lastly, you need to make sure you have the essentials onboard in case of an emergency. The following is a list of safety items you should carry in your boat at all times:

• Life jackets
• Life-saver flotation ring
• Horn or other sound-producing device, such as a whistle
• Fire extinguisher
• Flares
• Navigation lights for night boating
• Radio
• First-Aid kit