Boating Safety Tips for the Next Adventure

Boating is a wonderful experience. It helps you bond with the people you boat with and feel free and connected to nature. But it can also be dangerous if not done in a careful way that protects you and your other shipmates. Barnacle Billy's has the best anti-fouling product on the market and we are experienced in ocean boating. We have the tips to help keep you safe!

Wear Life Jackets

Some people simply make sure they have a few life jackets on board in case anything happens, but this is not always enough. If a sudden emergency happens, then you may not have time to rush to the storage compartment, grab the best fitting life jacket, and put it on in time for it to make a difference. It is important that you actually wear the personal flotation device while the boat is underway. There are several kinds of devices now that are less obtrusive and fit better with being able to move freely and less restricted.

There are several regulations regarding life jackets and young children. Research the rules in your area to make sure you are following the proper safety regulations for yourself and the young children on board. Most fatality victims of boating accidents were not wearing a life jacket. Think of them like the seat belt of boats!

Drink Responsibly

Drinking while boating is an all-too-common occurrence. It is significantly harder to make smart choices and boat responsibly when you are under the influence of alcohol. Make sure to choose a designated driver for your trip. It is also important to keep your passengers safe. It is a common occurrence for a swimmer to get too intoxicated and drown in the water, unable to stay afloat. 

Some people think that boating is different from driving and that your intoxication level doesn't matter as much, but that is not the case. You could receive a BWI (boating while intoxicated) and have penalties added to your license, including your driver's license. 

Enroll in a Boater Education Course

Even if you have grown up around boats for your whole life, it is important to make sure you, and the other boaters around you, know the rules and regulations of boating in the area where you live. These can vary state by state and even differ slightly depending on the are in which you live, so taking a boater's education course could be highly valuable. 

It is also important to learn when you should stand-on or give-way when meeting another vessel. If you aren't sure what those terms mean, then it could definitely be time for a boating refresher course!

Mind Your Speed

Speeding in a boat can feel fantastic, with the wind on your face and the shore speeding behind you. But, if you go too quickly, you could end up in a devastating accident. While speed limits are not strictly enforced on the water, you could be cited and fined for operating your boat in a reckless way or at excessive speeds. 

Keep yourself and your passengers safe by operating the boat at reasonable speeds that allow you to see well enough ahead on your trajectory to not crash into another, slower-moving boat.  

Keep Your Boat in Top Condition

Taking care of your boat could also help keep you and your passengers safe on the water. Make sure everything is in working order, and keep the boat in clean condition to operate effectively and efficiently.

One of the ways you can do this is to use Barnacle Billy's Additive in your boat bottom paint! Preventing barnacles and other fouling material from building up on the bottom of your boat can help it operate more efficiently and use up less gas. Buy it today and find out for yourself just how well Barnacle Billy's Additive works!

Check Out Our Website!

Find Us on Facebook

Find Us on Instagram

Find Us on LinkedIn