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Essential Boat Transport Safety Tips

By Jerry Hamilton


There is a lot of fun when you take to the waters with friends and family members. This should however be done with boat transport safety in mind to avert catastrophes. A lot goes into keeping boats safe. It requires consideration of the condition of your vessel, the behavior of people on board and response to circumstances while sailing.

Ensure that your vessel is in perfect condition. A leaking or torn vessel will only land you into problems. It takes in water and may cause you to drown. The engine should be in perfect working condition and it must be designed for the waters you are taking on. If the vessel is broken, this damage will cost you more when you get deep into the waters.

Have your safety gear with you all the time. The equipment are rarely used and can go for a year without needing them. This may cause you to ignore them and the need to keep them in perfect condition. The whistle, first aid kit, duct tape, bucket, flash light, fire extinguishers and floaters should always be available and functional. Always have some food to keep you energized especially if you get stranded.

Have appropriate life jackets for the traveling party. Ensure that they are they right size before leaving the shores. The jackets come in manual and automatic inflation options. There are jackets that can turn the face up even when the wearer is unconscious. Though you might not use them, ensure that they are in perfect condition. The jackets will help you carry supplies and tackles.

Check the weather before hitting the water. The water is very sensitive to changes in weather conditions. For instance, an approaching storm causes ripples on water that can warn you to take action. Do not sail if the weather is predicted to be nasty. Some of the storms will come while you are in water. Be prepared to deal with them because some are unavoidable.

Ensure that your vessel is carrying the recommended capacity. Overloading it with either equipment or people will prove catastrophic. There is an indication of the recommended weight for every boat. Do not exceed this weight because control will be a problem. Beyond the weight, ensure that the right activities are happening on board. Unnecessary movement and people staying on one side will prove catastrophic.

Be conscious of other people and activities on water. Large vessels will cause waves to come your way. Fishing equipment could also entangle your boat. Ice and solid objects on water can knock on your vessel causing damage. You need to avoid any object or situation where the vessel may be damaged. Docking and un-docking are some of the activities that require your ultimate concentration.

Use common sense when on water. It takes a flip second for a disaster to happen on water. This calls for alertness to help you avoid trouble. Always be prepared to deal with a disaster on water and do not wait to take precaution when it strikes. Operate at a safe speed and do not take your vessel where it can be damaged.




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