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First
of all you will need to ensure that your boat
battery is secured properly and that both
ends of your boat
batterys are fully covered.
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You
should never drink and drive a boat; people who have been drinking
alcohol and operate a boat are ten times more likely to be involved in
an accident out on the sea than someone who is sober.
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Be
aware of the weather; it’s advisable that you check the weather
forecast before setting sail. Warning signs to look out for include
dark clouds overhead, choppy water and strong winds as these indicate
that a storm is brewing.
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Be
careful that you don’t overload the boat- only take the essentials with
you. Capsizing due to overloading accounts for an alarming 70% of
boating fatalities. If you are sailing in a smaller boat you should
always try to stay in the centre of the boat whenever anyone is
changing seats. This is because smaller boats tip over easier when the
weight is not distributed evenly.
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Before
setting foot on board always put on your personal floatation device as
it can be extremely difficult to put one on in the water after you have
run into trouble. You should also always ensure that your life jacket
fits you properly too. And if your boat is longer that 16 ft there
should be an IV throwable on board.
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Check
that your boats lights are in good working order, and that you have
spare bulbs on board. You should also find out which time the sun is
due to set too.
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Make
sure that your boat has a fire extinguisher on board, and that it works
properly.
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Carry
a first aid kit that contains all the essentials in it, an anchor and a
toolbox.
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And
beware of boats that are travelling fast; you should never assume that
the skipper has seen you as it is easy for them to get distracted when
driving fast.
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Finally,
you must ensure that the boats registration plate is visible, and you
should also always make sure that you always have your certificate
number on board.
