7 Boating Tips That Will Keep You Safe This Summer--And No, They Don't Promise To Make You Cool Like These Guys

Boating Can Be Dangerous

Boating can be dangerous. Think about it: you're in the middle of Lake Ontario with nothing but fibreglass and some vinyl or leather between you and the frigid temperature of the water, even in the middle of summer. The conditions are always changing to the pressure in the air, the speed of the winds, and even the passing of other boats that, depending on the size, can kick up some serious waves if you happen to be in a smaller vessel. What happens if your vessel capsizes and your thrown into the frigid water? Are you prepared? If you have no food on board, and you're hungry or thirsty, you may not have the strength to swim or stay afloat until help arrives. If you don't have a life preserver on, and are not comfortable even in the shallow end of your sister's swimming pool, then how will you handle choppy waters that are 70-100 feet deep? What about your children who love to sit at the bow of the boat while it's thumping 50 kms/hr across the open water? Are they equipped with life preservers? Have they been taught the safety procedures or rules of the boat? A large, open lake can cause even experienced fishers and boaters anxiety. Don't let a freak accident cause you to say, "Should have/Could have..." 

Simple Boating Tips

1. Get a Boating Licence: It is Canadian law that if you operate a watercraft that you carry with you a Pleasure Craft Operator Card, which is a boating license offered by Transport Canada and valid in Ontario and all other provinces. To acquire one, you have to take a Transport Canada approved boating course, and pass the multiple choice boating exam with a minimum score of 75%.

2. Wear Life Jackets: It's hard to look cool on your sleek sailboat with a life jacket on, but it's indeed advisable. The lack of a life jacket is the number one cause of all boating fatalities. All children and adults must wear life jackets that fit them personally. It's no good to have them on deck unless you wear them; and they'll provide some element of safety in the event of capsizing, or inadvertently falling overboard.

3. Monitor the Weather: You don't want to head out into the lake and drift into a dangerous storm. With cellular networks what they are today, it's easy to stay apprised of the weather before and while you're boating.

4. Know the Area: Make sure you're aware of the depth of the lake, the tides, and the various areas. This will help you when travelling, and in the event of emergency.

5. Share Your Sail Plan: Let others know about where you're going, including the type of boat you have--even if you're only gone for a couple of hours. 

6. Inspect your Boat: Give your boat a thorough inspection prior to taking it out. This includes your first aid kit, tools, and parts.

7. Safety Briefing: Prior to departing, show everyone on your boat where the safety and communications equipment are, and how to use them. 

8. Don't Allow Alcohol on the Boat: Approximately 40% of all boating deaths are alcohol related. Drinking and boating is very dangerous. The lake may not seem like a threatening terrain to the unexperienced eye, but can indeed presents serious danger. Consuming alcohol impairs your eyesight, motor skills, and ability to make careful and spontaneous decisions.