4 Ways to Improve Boat Safety

Knowledgeable and experienced boat owners will tell you that boating safety is important to them because they truly understand the risks involved when you take a craft onto the water. For those people, boating is more than just an exciting or relaxing summer activity. Along with the fun comes a responsibility to follow basic safety guidelines to protect themselves, their passengers and anyone else in their vicinity from harm. Boat owners are always up for an adventure, but the smart ones keep boat safety at the forefront of their excursions.

Did you know that every 2½ hours someone is injured or killed in a boating accident according to the United States Coast Guard? Jet Dock is a proud supporter of safe boating. Below, we share four boating safety tips to make sure you're protected when you set sail.

1. Always Wear a Life Jacket

Wearing a life jacket is arguably the single most effective precaution you can take to improve boater's safety. A life jacket can literally make the difference between life and death. Seventy-eight percent of fatal boating accidents involve drowning. Of those drownings, nearly 84% were not wearing a life jacket.

It shouldn’t be taken lightly or thought of as a fashion faux pas. There are many styles of life jackets, and everyone who is on your vessel should be properly outfitted with the correct life jacket; even the dog should wear one. Make sure all life jackets fit properly and always check children’s jackets to ensure they are the correct size.

2. Take Boating Courses

No matter how seasoned you are as a boater, it’s always a good idea to brush up on your skills and learn about new boating safety tips along the way. There are a lot of boater's safety courses available across the country and online that provide in-depth resources and knowledge. If you’re a new boat enthusiast, it’s vital to learn and take as many courses as needed before heading out on the water alone.

Make a pledge to take a course regularly; it could save your life one day.

3. Use a Dry Docking System

Not all accidents happen out on the water; sometimes a mishap can occur while you are getting on or off your boat. Dock and board safer and easier with a floating boat system, like those available from Jet Dock. These boat lifts are slip-resistant and designed with rounded edges, allowing boat owners to rest easy knowing that their boat and its passengers will have a worry-free experience getting on and off of the water. They’re designed specifically with boat safety in mind, giving you ample room to board and deboard your watercraft.

4. Have Your Watercraft Tested

Each year the U.S. Coast Guard encourages boaters to get a free safety vessel check. This check will evaluate your boat and check to make sure that it is in compliance with all boating laws, both state and federal. Make sure to check out the USCG website to see how you can get signed up for a boating safety check near you.

Stay Safe on the Water With Help From Jet Dock

Jet Dock is committed to boating safety. Our floating dock and walkway systems are designed to be safer, easier and more convenient to use than traditional docks. Shop our selection of floating docks today to see which is the right choice for you.