LABOR DAY BOATING SAFETY TIPS FOR AN END-OF-SUMMER RITUAL
Sept 8, 2020
Could you find your flares in this locker if you had to?
For millions of boat owners, Labor Day weekend might be the last blast, with many enjoying the end-of-summer boating ritual with family and friends aboard, according to Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS). The national advocacy, services and safety group cautions, however, that boating traffic and complacency could be safety concerns.
BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water Director of Boating Safety Ted Sensenbrenner says, “At this time of year complacency can set in. You’ve had a safe boating season up to now, but don’t let your guard down just yet.” Sensenbrenner offers these end-of-summer boating safety tips:
• Do you know where your flares are, or did you bury them under the inner tube in the back lazarette?
• Are life jackets serviceable, or has the dog eaten one? Have you periodically inspected any inflatable life jackets?
• Is your throwable (Type IV) personal floatation device still at the helm within easy reach, or did a guest hide it in the back under the stern seat?
• Are all of your navigation lights still working?
• Have you checked your U.S. Coast Guard Local Notice for Mariners lately to see if anything has changed, such as recent storms affecting navigation or infrastructure work?
• Over the course of the summer, have your boat trailer’s safety chains accidentally dragged on the pavement leaving them compromised? Are brake lights still operable?
• Want to learn more about boating safety? Take a free online boating safety course from the Foundation at BoatUS.org/Free.
