Boating with family and friends is an exquisite recreational activityF. Whether you are riding on a jet ski, speed boat or yacht, safety should always be a top priority. Marine craft maintenance and keeping all the safety gear are important steps to ensure safety of passengers onboard. Here’s a guide that will help beginners with safe boating and serve as a refresher for professional sailors
BOAT SAFETY CHECKLIST
First and foremost step boat owners and boating clubs should follow before sailing is the inspection of marine craft. Here are a few components to inspect before leaving for a boat trip:
BOAT INSPECTION
Here are a few basic inspection steps to ensure safety before a boat ride:
- Inspect the hull of the boat and check for any crack or damage.
- Examine engine, propshaft, throttle and fuel and cooling systems, if you have a power-driven marine craft.
- Check the battery and tighten cables to the terminals.
- Clean spark plugs and replace if they are in a bad condition.
- Wash and cleanse the boat to avoid slipping on the boat.
- Organize all the equipment for any emergency situation.
Boat maintenance and inspection is fundamental before and after every trip. Safety gear is also essential to ensure safety. Here’s a checklist for must have safety equipment and gears on the boat:
BOAT SAFETY EQUIPMENT
Prominent and adequate safety equipment is essential for boating. Boat safety gear is a precaution against any viable danger and here are some of the must have gear:
LIFE JACKETS
Personal floatation devices (PFD) commonly known as life jackets and life vests are one of the basic boat safety equipment. There are various types of PFDs such as type I, II, III, IV and V.
PFD type I and II are most recognized and preferred by the boating tour companies and boat owners due to its high buoyancy and floating.
Everyone onboard should wear PFDs whether on a pleasure marine craft, yachts or paddling on a Dragon boat in the UAE.
LIFE BUOYS
One of the essential boat safety gears is life buoys. Life buoys or floatation devices can be thrown in water to rescue passengers in case of any mishap. Some of these life buoys can come with a rope to pull the person closer and then get that person out of water.
FIRE EXTINGUISHERS
Use fire extinguishers when fire breaks out from the engine or any other component of the boat. Fire extinguishers should be on the open deck or cockpit area of the boat and easily accessible to everyone onboard. Ensure that fire extinguishers are regularly maintained and all passengers know how to use them.
DISTRESS FLARES
Passengers on vessels or boats may use distress flares for boat safety under any emergency situation. There are different types of flares and they have a visibility up to a range of 10 kilometres. Flares should be activated near the coast to let people on the shore know of the emergency.
Other boat safety equipment can be required depending on the type of boating. However, these safety gear can be kept in smaller boats too. Here’s a list of safety gear one can keep before sailing:
- Medical kit
- Anchor with line to hold your boat in place while waiting for the help
- Bailing device
- Paddles if the engine stops working
- VHF radio to call for help
- Heavy duty flashlight
- Skier or diver down flag
- Navigational lights in the boat
- A way to get weather updates
Other than keeping safety equipment on boats and going for regular maintenance, boat drivers should follow regulations for preventing collisions. Let’s read below to know about them:
REGULATIONS FOR PREVENTING COLLISIONS
There are international standards and laws to prevent accidents on the sea. Following are some of the rules drafted by maritime authorities of the UAE for a safe boat trip:
SPEEDING
Speed should be maintained according to the knots. However, a safe speed is the one at which a vessel can stop to avoid any collision.
MANOEUVRING
Manoeuvring the marine craft becomes harder in wind and waves. However, stopping and turning the boat depends on several factors like travelling speed, wind, water currents and shape of the vessel. So, the speed limit should be maintained at all times.
VISIBILITY
Rain, fog or mist affects visibility. Therefore, boat lights should be in working condition and speeds shall be maintained.
NAVIGATIONAL HAZARDS
Water depths and weather conditions change. Slowing down is a best option in shallow or unknown areas.
LOOKOUT FOR OTHER VESSELS
Slower speeds are preferable in busy areas. Lookout and have a good sight of the boats around to avoid accidents.
This was all about boat safety guides and equipment. You should always inspect and maintain the marine crafts and safety gear whether you own or rent a boat. This guide will help you when you inspect the engine and hull for maintenance and all other safety equipment when you buy a used boat in the UAE.
Stay tuned to the UAE’s top auto blog for more information on marine transports and boating.
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