May is here and with that comes warmer weather, sunny days, and of course boating trips! We find ourselves gearing up for the relaxing summer weekends on the lake, long cruises in the boat to watch the sunset, and we are more than ready to experience the joys of catching the big one this season. As you prepare your boat for these days, it’s important to brush up on some common safe boating tips.

An increase in boaters means an increase in boat traffic and people that are swimming in the water. Some of these tips are common but can be easily forgotten. Let’s start with the basics.

  1. Check the weather! This one seems like a no-brainer, but with pop up thunderstorms that occur regularly in the south, it is important to always have a back up plan if bad weather strikes. Literally.
  2. Have a safety checklist. Always be prepared for any circumstance that could happen in the water. Lifejackets, flares, a first aid kit, a fire extinguisher, and a paddle are all required to be on your boat and it’s important to check them over to make sure they are ready to use in case of an emergency.
  3. Make sure to have a tool box on board your boat. Many small or large mechanical issues can occur on your boat trip and it’s best to be prepared to quickly resolve these problems and get back to having fun!
  4. Know your navigational marks and signals.
  5. Use common sense. This may be one of the most important safety tips of all. Follow the rules of no wake zones. Drive at safe speeds and look out for swimmers.

To read more about safety tips and for a full safety checklist, visit the US Coast Guard Vessel Safety Check Website.