Summer is an ideal time to take a break from work and travel somewhere. Taking a boat tour is one of the ways to enjoy your summer. Boat riding can be quite an adventure, but it can be dangerous if you don’t take safety seriously. When making a boat tour, you need to adhere to safety measures, including the following.
Always Check the Weather
Before setting sail, you must always check the weather. Consult the weather forecast and local coast guard of the area you want to tour and find out how the weather is. Also, check the water levels. It is risky to take a boat tour during the rainy season or with expected rainstorms. You also need to know when to abort the journey in case the weather changes drastically.
Have a Boat Checklist
Before you embark on your boat tour, you need to ensure you have all the essential things required for the trip. Some of the most important things you need to ensure you have are docking and anchoring gear, spare parts in case of damage, a set of tools, a fire extinguisher, fuel, oil, radio equipment, paddles, maps, compass and flashlights.
Carry Adequate Life Jackets
Anything could happen while on your boat ride, including your boat capsizing or toppling over due to heavy currents. It is hence recommended that you have enough life jackets for all passengers on board. Most cruise companies actually have this as a requirement, as do the local authorities. The life jackets also need to be up to standard to suit both children and adults. It is necessary to check if the life jackets are in good condition; otherwise, they won’t be viable. For boats that are 16 feet or longer, the coast guard rules that you must have a Type IV lifeboat on board in case of emergencies.