Though plenty of boaters prefer staying dry on their trips on the water, many others love to enjoy cooling off in the water during these hot summer months. The ocean, streams and even relatively placid lakes can be far different beasts than the swimming pools that most are more familiar with. Before you or your loved ones take a dip, make sure you know these water safety tips to help keep your next boating trip a safe one.
Stay Sober: As we’ve warned before, drinking and boating can be just as dangerous as drinking and driving. The safety risks also apply to swimming after knocking back a few. As alcohol dehydrates you (on top of the scorching sun) and impairs your judgment, it’s easy to see the potential risks you face when trying to swim while impaired. Save the drinks for when you’re back on shore.
Stay Aware: Keep a close eye on friends and family who decide to take a dip. It’s surprisingly easy to lose track of people, especially when currents and waves can unknowingly drift swimmers from your boat. Kids and the elderly are especially important to watch, as they can sometimes lose track of the boat or become fatigued more quickly than others.
Watch the Weather: Especially in the summer months, weather can be… temperamental. Always keep track of the local forecast and an eye out for dark clouds and thunder. At the first signs that a storm may be brewing, pack it in and head back to shore before the waterworks begin. Lightning, especially in Florida, is a deadly serious concern that you do not want to play with.
PFDs for Added Protection: Personal floatation devices (PFDs), aka life jackets, can quite literally be lifesavers when enjoying time on the water. Though you won’t be doing any diving in them, having a PFD on can keep your head above water if you drift away or simply run out of steam while swimming, giving the boater, or emergency services, enough time to reach you and bring you safely back on board.
Never Go Alone: Though we all need a bit of “me” time, going for a swim when boating alone can be a costly mistake. As we stated above, waters can be deceptive, and you can find yourself pulled away from your boat by an unseen current. Even with company, you should let someone on shore know your plan for the day, including float plan and schedule, just in case.
Armed with these water safety tips, we hope you all enjoy the summer on, and in, the water. Just try to keep the drinks for later, keep a close eye on swimmers, watch for bad weather, keep a PFD on and never go it alone as it’s always important that you have a blast without putting safety on the back burner. Have fun and we’ll see you on the water.
If there’s a body of water, chances are there will be a boating enthusiast just itching to get out on it. From the vast and often unpredictable waters of the open ocean to placid lakes and rushing rivers, there are plenty of uniquely interesting ways to hit the water. However, before a frequent river cruiser decides to hit the Atlantic for the first time or a deep sea fisherman tries his luck in a lake, it’s important to identify a few important differentiators and uncover some helpful boating tips specific to each body of water.
On the Ocean
There is nothing quite like the open ocean. From crashing waves to the unmistakable scent of saltwater in the air, this kind of boating can be truly invigorating, exciting and relaxing if the weather plays along. Unlike boating on freshwater, unless in the extreme cold, oceans do not freeze over in winter months. However, dangers like massive waves, tidal changes and the isolation of the open ocean must be considered before taking it on. Always ensure you have the adequate emergency equipment, including locator beacons and PFDs. Unlike smaller lakes and rivers, if you are forced to abandon ship in the ocean, you often can’t simply swim to shore.
On a Lake
Lakes are often placid and more predictable than the open ocean, especially smaller lakes. As another benefit, freshwater is far less corrosive and damaging to your vessel and its engine components. However, due to the limited size of most lakes, they can become a bit crowded in the spring and summer, while freezing over in winter months. Just make sure your boat isn’t at risk of running aground, as some lakes are more shallow than you may anticipate.
On a River
Rivers are essentially boating roadways, allowing travel through various regions of the U.S. with beautiful sights and sounds all around you. Rivers are also frequently used for water sports. The downside? Unless you’re going downstream, you may need a powerful motor to fight against the potentially strong current. Another concern is the depth of the river. Many rivers are quite shallow, so your mega yacht may not make it far. Like lakes, rivers also may freeze over in colder months. Smaller, flat-bottomed vessels equipped for shallower waters are recommended here.
Regardless of your preference, boating, fishing and simply spending a day on the water is what it’s all about to us. Oceans are vast and unpredictable, lakes are smaller but more placid, and rivers are shallow but often scenic. Take your pick, but always remember to do your research and, as always, keep safety your priority when hitting the water.
Alright, who’s ready to talk insurance?! Wait, where is everyone going? Sure, the topic of boat insurance isn’t quite as exciting as fishing or hurricane preparation, but we promise you, it’s well worth learning.
Though you may be familiar with the broad concepts of coverage from your experience with life, car and homeowners insurance, there are some specific nuances that every boater should know when picking the right boat insurance for them.
Boat Insurance: Do I Really Need It?
If you think you can skate by without boat insurance, then you are absolutely correct. Yes, unlike car insurance, boat insurance is not required in many states, including our home state of Florida. Of course, you should do a quick Google search to ensure that you’re properly insured based on your state requirements.
State regulations aside, is boat insurance really necessary, or is it just another bill to add atop the mound? Like many others, boat insurance is something you hope to never need but are grateful for having in the rare case that you do.
Boat insurance policies may cover:
Injury liability for passengers
Property damage to docks, marinas or other boats
Boat repair or replacement due to collision damage
Damage caused by extreme weather
Comprehensive coverage that runs the gamut from medical to accident clean up
Though each policy is different, you should look for the above coverage points and choose one that is adequate for your boat and your lifestyle. Just remember, accidents can happen (as can hurricanes).
It is also important to understand how your boat is evaluated by the insurance company. Factors include:
Horsepower and top speed
Length
Value
Number of owners
Area of operation
Type of boat
Age of boat
Overall condition of boat
Just as a red Ferrari F50 owned by an 18-year-old kid with a lead foot will be just a tad more expensive to insure than the 65-year-old recent retiree with a Volvo station wagon, your speedboat will likely cost more than an easy-going fishing cruiser.
Something many boaters don’t realize is that boat insurance can be bundled into certain homeowners or car insurance plans, so do your research and pick the plan that makes the most sense for you. Regardless of whether you have a superyacht or something more akin to the S.S. Minnow, insurance can save you from financial heartache and a list of potential headaches after an accident. Boat safe, but be insured, just in case.
As you may have heard, we’re officially living in the future now. Though we may be a ways off from hoverboarding to work, when it comes to self-driving tech, we may only be a decade or two away from seeing a steering-wheel-less world. With this technology already in testing on our roadways today, the question nearly asks itself: are autonomous boats on the horizon as well?
When people conceptualize autonomous boats and cars, they’re usually filled with a complicated swirl of interest and concern; that is completely normal, we promise. Though it may be appealing to imagine waking up for the hour-long commute to work every morning just to turn that into an hour-long nap, how much can we trust that our trusty robot chauffeur isn’t going to steer us directly into Farmer Jim’s cow farm instead of the turnpike?
If the general success of self-driving car testing is any indicator, autonomous boats may be safer than you’d think. Though there have been cases of accidents involving cars in autonomous mode (one of which was fatal), for the most part, this tech has begun showing real promise on real roads, performing such complicated tasks as anticipating sudden stops, avoiding swerving cars and generally flowing with traffic. All of these advancements surely imply that tech would only improve and apply directly to autonomous boats. Oh, and MIT is also developing the tech behind it, so there’s that.
Along with two Dutch universities, MIT is working on a project playfully coined as the Roboat, which will launch in the form of ferries in the near future. On the commercial front, this tech could lead to the automation of cargo ships, which Rolls-Royce is actively researching. Though leisure boating hasn’t been the focus of autonomous boat technology, there is no question that these advancements could leak into the retail market at any moment.
Would you be interested in a self-driving boat or do you think that’s half the fun? Regardless of the future, the control of today’s boats is most certainly in your hands, which means safety is as well. Always be sure to follow posted wake limits, double check your safety equipment before departing and keep an eye out for fellow boaters. That is, until you can leave the navigation to Wall-E or Rosie the Robot.
For more on the future of autonomous boats, check out this excellent article from ComputerWorld.com.
Even if you feel like you could navigate your favorite boating spot with your eyes closed and one arm tied behind your back, there’s still one thing that many boaters–even the experts–forget to brush up on: Florida boating laws. OK, now. Stop your yawning and sneering. Knowing your boating laws goes a long way in not only ensuring safety on your next excursion, but also being able to have a better time without the worry of breaking boating regulations.
Florida Boating Laws You Should Know
From expert boaters to relative newbies, everyone on the water should know:
Speed Kills: Excessive wakes can be harmful to sea life and fellow boaters. Never create a hazardous wake, obey “minimum wake” and “slow” signs, and operate at the slowest speed possible in no-wake zones.
Registration is Required:With the exceptions of canoes, kayaks, and other row-style boats, as well as non-motor-powered boats under 16 feet long, all vessels must be registered within 30 days of purchase. Registration, which is conducted through your local tax collector’s office, must be on board at all times.
You Must Report Accidents:Like a car accident, it is illegal to leave the scene of a boating accident without first reporting it to the authorities. Additionally, you are responsible for administering as much aid as possible to those involved. If the accident involves injuries more serious than what a first-aid kit can handle or causes damages of $2,000 or higher, you must contact the sheriff’s office and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission as quickly as possible.
Safety Devices Save Lives:U.S.-Coast-Guard-approved personal floatation devices (PFDs) are required to be on board–one for each person. Though not mandatory by law, it is highly encouraged that every passenger (and the operator) wear PFDs at all times. Children under six years of age must wear a PFD whenever the vessel is underway. Navigation lights are required to be turned on in low visibility conditions, as well as at nighttime.
This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Florida boating laws and regulations, but luckily, there is an entire, easy-to-access guide full of helpful information like the above. Before hitting the water again, take a look at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s website. You just may learn a thing or two.
