Summer is almost here and nature is calling. Are you ready to get your boat out onto the water and enjoy the sunshine with your loved ones? Here are five tips to keep your family safe on the water this season.
#1: Have a Zero-Tolerance Life Jacket Rule
Experienced boat owners already know that life jackets are crucial to saving lives. However, that doesn’t prevent countless accidents each year because someone doesn't wear a personal flotation device. In many cases, witnesses often report victims took it off for a second or just decided it wasn’t important.
Help set the tone for safety on your boat by creating a zero-tolerance policy—no life jacket, no fun. In many cases, the law requires all boaters, especially those under a certain age, to wear a life jacket.
#2: Take a Boating Safety Course
They say old dogs can’t learn new tricks, but that certainly isn’t true for most avid boaters. Taking an approved safety class is a great way to help keep your family safe out on the water. Not only will you learn a new thing or two, you’ll probably remember a few topics that you might have forgotten since your last training.
#3: Pay Attention to the Weather
A day out on the water can be an amazing way to bond with family and friends while reconnecting with nature. But, it can also make it easy to lose track of time and prevent you from paying attention to weather conditions.
Stay safe by knowing the forecast ahead of time. Have appropriate weather supplies with you on board your boat. These might include radios and radars. Knowing when the conditions are such that you need to head to shore.
#4: Never Mix Alcohol and Boating
It probably goes without mentioning that one of the easiest ways to stay safe on the water is to never mix drinking and boating. However, according to U.S. Coast Guard statistics, alcohol and/or other imperative substances are the sixth leading cause of fatal boat accidents annually.
While it might seem like a good idea to pop open that cooler while out on the water, skip it. It simply isn’t worth the life of someone you care about or the lives of others in your direct vicinity.
#5: Carry Adequate Boat Insurance Coverage
Keeping your family safe is more than paying attention to their physical well-being. Ensure you are financially protected by having adequate boat insurance. Work with your agent to determine the right level coverage to suit your needs.
You and your agent can examine the cost and size of your vessel, as well as the proper amount of liability coverage to carry. Your agent can also inform you about what to do if you have a boating accident.
We've got you covered. If you need San Antonio boat insurance, Amco & Remco Insurance can help you get a unique policy that will meet your needs. Call us at (210) 736-2400 to learn more about our affordable insurance options.