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Thursday, November 8, 2018

Essential Boat Transport Safety Tips

By Jerry Hamilton


There is a lot of fun when you take to the waters with friends and family members. This should however be done with boat transport safety in mind to avert catastrophes. A lot goes into keeping boats safe. It requires consideration of the condition of your vessel, the behavior of people on board and response to circumstances while sailing.

The vessel must remain in perfect mechanical condition at all times. You need to seal cracked or broken areas where water might find its way into your vessel and drown you. The engine should be maintained regularly. Check the condition before leaving the shores to ensure that it is perfect. Minor problems might not bother you at the beginning but will be troublesome when the storm hits or you are stranded deep in water.

Prepare your safety gear at all times. It might take years before you need these equipment but the day they will be required will be all that matters. Whether you are using them or not, ensure that they are in perfect working condition. Some of the equipment you need to keep include flash lights, a bucket, first aid kit, floater, fire extinguisher and duct tape, among others. You need some energy foods to replenish your energy while in water.

Have appropriate life jackets for the traveling party. Ensure that they are they right size before leaving the shores. The jackets come in manual and automatic inflation options. There are jackets that can turn the face up even when the wearer is unconscious. Though you might not use them, ensure that they are in perfect condition. The jackets will help you carry supplies and tackles.

Check the weather before hitting the water. The water is very sensitive to changes in weather conditions. For instance, an approaching storm causes ripples on water that can warn you to take action. Do not sail if the weather is predicted to be nasty. Some of the storms will come while you are in water. Be prepared to deal with them because some are unavoidable.

Ensure that your vessel is carrying the recommended capacity. Overloading it with either equipment or people will prove catastrophic. There is an indication of the recommended weight for every boat. Do not exceed this weight because control will be a problem. Beyond the weight, ensure that the right activities are happening on board. Unnecessary movement and people staying on one side will prove catastrophic.

Be conscious of other people and activities on water. Large vessels will cause waves to come your way. Fishing equipment could also entangle your boat. Ice and solid objects on water can knock on your vessel causing damage. You need to avoid any object or situation where the vessel may be damaged. Docking and un-docking are some of the activities that require your ultimate concentration.

The sea requires someone using his or her common sense. The surface or situation may change drastically and cause trouble. By being alert, you will avoid problems that are related negligence or lost of concentration. Avoid damages to your vessel and maintain both the recommended weight and speed. These precautions will keep you safe and enable you to enjoy the waters.




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