6 Boating Tips to Keep you Safe on the Water

​Pre-departure Checklist. Prepare, Prepare, Prepare! This is your checklist for safety and fun. Be sure your checklist includes all of the safety gear you need for your boat as well as for you and your passengers.

Watch the weather! Download extended forecasts and check the radar frequently. Have a plan in place in case a storm comes up quickly. 

Bring paper charts! GPS and charting Apps are great, but electronics can fail. Always keep paper charts of the area you are navigating onboard. 
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Review safety plans with your boat crew/guests and make sure everyone knows the 

​protocol and where lifejackets are. Simple advice such as how to board a vessel can be very helpful. Always brief your crew before departing. Make sure everyone is comfortable and knows how to move around a boat. 
Seek local knowledge. Call the local marinas or TowBoatUS companies to find out first-hand info on channels and anchorages. 
Give people a job! Assign your guests or crew different jobs to include them in the boating experience. Our favorite is assigning a “Look Out”. The more eyes on the horizon, the better!