Spring Boating Safety Tips

Spring is here which means it is time for warmer weather, sunny skies, and fun with friends or family members on the boat! Before you pack those bags and head out on your spring boating trip, the Sea Tow Foundation has 6 tips to help you have a safe AND fun time on the water.

1.    Take a Boating Safety Class Now. Many states require taking a passing a boating safety course and getting a boating license or boating certificate. Whether you’re renting a boat, recently bought a boat, or have years of boating experience, you’ll pick up some pointers and boost your marine confidence as well as satisfy requirements for boaters in Florida. And you could be eligible for a discount on your boat-owners insurance for passing a course, too. Boating safety courses are offered both online and in person through our friends with the America’s Boating Club (formerly known as the U.S. Power Squadrons) or take an interactive, online course through our friends at iLearntoBoat. You can also find other courses available through your state boating agency. 

2.    Ask for Advice. Spring boating trips may involve traveling to new and exciting destinations. If you are unfamiliar with the bay, lake, river or ocean you’re headed to, it’s smart to talk to the local Sea Tow captains in the area who will happily share water conditions, current patterns, routes and (bonus!) wildlife watching tips.  

3.    Pack the sunscreen. If you’re not used to the sun and warmer temperatures or with being outdoors for a good portion of the day, you will soon by surprised by a nasty sunburn. Put on some sunscreen and don’t forget a hat and polarized sunglasses, too.

4.    Reserve now. If you are planning to rent a boat during the spring season, make sure you’ve got the rental confirmed well in advance of your trip and reach out to the company ahead of time to see if you need to bring anything for the boat with you. They should provide you with an orientation to your rental boat as well as all of the safety equipment required. If you are taking your own boat out, make sure your boat trailer is ready for the road with good tires, straps and chains. Plus, check that the boat ramp is still open and that you find out where you can park your vehicle and trailer while you’re out on the water. 

5.    Once you get to your trip, follow the ABCD rule.

a.    Always Wear Life Jackets. Every passenger should wear a properly fitted U.S Coast Guard (USCG)-approved life jacket. And remember that adult-size life jackets aren’t meant for children. If you’ve forgotten to pack your own or need extras, you can always stop by a Sea Tow Foundation Life Jacket Loaner Station to borrow them for the day.

b.    Bring along safety gear. Emergency preparation = peace of mind. No matter the size of your boat, these are the absolute essentials to keep on board:

•                         Marine VHF radio
•                         First aid kit
•                         Fire extinguisher
•                         Tool kit
•                         Flashlight and extra batteries
•                         Duct tape
•                         Bucket
•                         Waterproof whistle or horn
•                         Lines
•                        Emergency signaling equipment

c.     Check—and Recheck—the Weather. Choppy waters can’t always be predicted. If conditions aren’t favorable, don’t chance it. There are many apps and websites that help you know the conditions before you go and to continue to check on the weather while you are out on the water.

d.    Designate a Sober Skipper. Never, ever operate a boat under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The wind, sun and boat vibration all contribute to increased impairment, even after a single beer. Responsible boaters carry plenty of water, non-alcoholic drinks and food on board. To learn more and Take the Pledge,  check out our Sober Skipper Campaign.

6.    Share Your Trip to Social. Did your spring boating trip really happen if you didn’t document it? Be sure to tag us in all your photos and adventures on all of our social media platforms: Instagram (@seatowfoundation),  Facebook (@SeaTowFoundation), Twitter (@SeaTowFdn) and LinkedIn (@seatowfoundation).
 

Have a fantastically fun and super safe spring break!

Every child can likely tell you that green means go and red means stop. This signage is ingrained in us at an early age. However, rules on the water are not common knowledge. The colors don’t have the same meaning that they do on land, so it can be very confusing for a new boater and even the most experienced boater can be puzzled at times.

To help you and your crew avoid wrong turns and accidents on the water, the Sea Tow Foundation has prepared the following list of boating navigation basics. While this list is not a substitute for all the rules that you should know (and would learn about in a boating safety course – which we suggest you take), it provides a good start.  

Some Definitions to Help Get Started  

Port - The left-hand side of the boat when facing forward. The port side of the boat must show a red light at night. An easy way to remember this is that LEFT and PORT have the same number of letters and RED is the shorter of the two color names to go with the shorter name of the two sides.  

Starboard - The right-hand side of the boat when facing forward. The starboard side of the boat must show a green light at night.  

Bow – The front of the boat when facing forward. At night, a white light and the edges of the red and green lights should be visible from the bow.  

Stern – The back of the boat when facing forward. The stern must show a white light at night.  

Buoy - An anchored float serving as a navigational marker. Buoys come in various shapes and colors, and each design has a different meaning. A buoy will also have colored lights on it so that it can be seen at night.

• Green Buoys are square-shaped or have a squared-off top, have odd numbers, and are referred to as “cans” - an easy way to remember this is that the green soda brand with a certain odd number in its name comes in a can.
• Red Buoys are triangle-shaped or pointed at the top, have even numbers, and are referred to as “nuns.”
• If a buoy is both red and green, the shape of the buoy or the top color tells you the preferred channel to take your boat.
• White Buoys or Signs with orange markings are informational or regulatory. They can tell you about a danger ahead like a rock, mark a swim area where you can’t take the boat, provide a speed limit, or mark a no wake notice.
• White Buoys with a blue marking are for mooring or tying up the boat in the middle of the waterway.
• Yellow buoys are used for special purposes to mark pipelines, cables, or other areas to avoid.    

“Red, Right, Returning”  

This is a common boating navigation phrase, but with red lights on the left (port) side of a boat and red buoys marking the channel, it can get confusing. In this case, the phrase is talking only about the buoys. When you are returning to your port, you should keep the red buoys on your starboard (right) side; the even numbers on the red markers will increase as you go upstream.  

The Navigation Rules, Simplified  

1. The Rule of Responsibility has two points: first, a boat’s operator is required to comply with rules and practice responsible seamanship that shows thought. Second, the boat’s operator must do everything possible to avoid a collision – even if that avoidance means breaking a rule.
2. Every boat is required to have a person whose only job is to keep a look-out around the entire boat. This job includes listening and looking for things in the way. If a boater is heading out on the water alone, this responsibility is something to be aware of.
3. Boats should be operated at a safe speed that allows plenty of time to avoid collision or stop before a dangerous situation develops. The safe speed may change due to the weather, other boating traffic, the type of boat, and time of day.  

The Navigation Rules are much more detailed and there are many more rules than just these three that boaters are required to know and follow. We encourage you to take a boating safety course to learn more and suggest taking the new interactive, online course iLearntoBoat.

Did you know all of these rules or did you learn something new? What did we forget that you think we should have included? Let us know in the comments!

To continue providing these blogs, please consider a donation to the Sea Tow Foundation today to help us continue our efforts to educate boaters and keep them safe on the water. You can donate securely online at www.boatingsafety.com/donatetoday or by clicking on the DONATE tab at the top of the page.

Class is in Session on the Boat

School looks a little different for students of all ages this year, and we have all had to adapt and find the best way to make sure our kids are learning and we as parents don’t go crazy. The Sea Tow Foundation is encouraging families to take their distance learning to the boat!

Changing up the scenery can make all of the difference. Sitting in the same spot day in and day out can hinder creativity. Even while docked, learning is stimulated through the feeling of the rise and fall of the water or tides.

Learning outside the traditional classroom can help create a richer understanding of some of the subjects covered in daily school lessons. Many marinas offer Wi-Fi and other tools to help provide internet to your location in and around the water. And some boats are also equipped with satellite technology to help you stay connected out on the water.

Where better to learn about tides and weather patterns than on the boat where your child can feel each crest, and time wavelengths as they experience them. All of the laws of physics can be experienced on the water, making it fun and easy to understand. Kids can also learn from the boat itself in how it runs (electricity, batteries, etc.) for power engines and different forms of energy: wind, solar, and power through sails.

Being on the water opens the possibility to see more wildlife compared to being inside at home. Those studying biology, ecology, and other life sciences can search for the animals depicted in their textbooks in the water – or while fishing!

Discuss geography as you sail or motor past islands, pointing out features of the land. Explain the difference between lakes, marshes, and oceans while you are boating across them. And share the history of the water – did any famous people venture across the same waters?

And don’t forget to brush up on your skills as a boater by taking an interactive online boating education class. You can model good learning behavior to your children and also brush up on your skills and refresh your knowledge of your state’s boating requirements. Our friends at Kalkomey Enterprises offer state-approved boating safety courses as well as courses in hunting, scuba diving, snow mobile riding, ATV operation, and drone operation. And many of these courses are available to teens as well. You can find them all online at www.kalkomey.com/education-courses.

Though it seems like education has changed, there are still ways to help your children and you stay on top of the game – while enjoying a beautiful day out on the water.

What would you teach your kids while out on the water? Let us know in the comments.

If you found this article helpful or entertaining, please consider a donation to the Sea Tow Foundation today to help us continue our efforts to educate boaters and keep them safe on the water. You can donate securely online at www.boatingsafety.com/donatetoday or by clicking on the DONATE tab at the top of the page.

May 20 - Open a Book and Learn About Boating Safety

How long has it been since you opened a book or a web browser to brush up on your boating safety skills? Today, we challenge you to do just that. Learn a new boating safety fact, take a boating safety class, read your boat or engine’s manual, or learn about general boat maintenance. You never know when you’ll have to put the tips into practice, so it is a good idea to learn about them when it isn’t an emergency. You can even log onto our website at BoatingSafety.com where we provide lots of tips and boating safety information.

There are so many resources that we can’t share all of them, but our partners at America’s Boating Club offer online courses on power boating, sailing, fishing and paddling, plus the chance to get together with other boat lovers on a regular basis. Whatever your boating lifestyle, they have you covered.

Once you’ve completed the course – Open your email and share with us what you’ve learned! 

Today’s letter to the secret phrase is O.

Tow Bee Boating Safety Tips!

Tow Bee makes it easy to talk about boating safety with family and friends. Review the links below and share with people important to you.

• Carbon Monoxide Can Be Deadly!
• Check Weather Forecast Before Each Outing!
• Choose the Right Fuel For Your Boat!
• Dangers of Fire on a Boat!
• Designate a Sober Skipper!
• File a Float Plan Before Each Outing!
• Have Life Jackets on Hand!
• Keep Sunshine in Mind!
• Review First Mate Checklist Before Leaving the Dock!
• Stay Hydrated!
• Take a Boating Safety Course!
• Wear Your Life Jacket!