How to Boat Safely in the Alaskan Summer
Summer is officially here, at least that’s what the calendar says. It’s now peak boating season here in Alaska. Recreational boating is a fun way to explore our Alaskan waterways and chill together as a family. Yes, these adventures are full of fun and leisure, but the number one priority for all boaters should be safety. It’s important to take the necessary steps to make sure everyone on board stays safe. The number one way to avoid trouble on the water is to be prepared. What precautions can you follow for worry-free boating?
Plan Ahead
There are a few things that you can do before you hit the water that will prevent potential hazards or boat issues before the trip begins.
- Take the boating safety course – Boater education saves lives. Most states have mandatory education requirements to operate a boat. This helps you to prepare for safety.
- Check your boat safety – Many organizations will provide a free vessel safety check. These only take 15-30 minutes and can save you a lot of time and trouble.
- Check off the checklist – The free vessel check is great, but you should still run through a boater pre-departure checklist. Checking for documents, lifejackets, nav tools, compass, cell phones, fire extinguishers, etc.
- How’s the weather? It’s important to know before you go. If there’s a potential storm warning it would be better to avoid the water. Once on the water use your VHF radio to keep updated on conditions.
- Float plan – Let someone on shore know where you’re going, so they would know where to find you.
- Bring a skipper – It’s important that you have a second person that is acquainted with your boat that can help you to operate the boat safely should something happen to you.
Bring the Essentials
- Take the time to make sure you have all the boating essentials.
- Life jackets that are correct for the activity
- Throwable floatation aids in case someone goes overboard
- Visual distress signals such as flares or orange signal flags
- Sound producing devices such as whistle, horn, or bells
- Engine cut-off device such as a lanyard or wireless engine cut of device in case the operator falls overboard
- Emergency locator device such as Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon.
- Emergency boating kit
- Drinking water
Be safe on the water
It’s important to be aware of surroundings and on the lookout for potential dangers.
- Boat sober
- Wear a lifejacket
- Operate at safe speed
- Wear your life jackets
- Follow navigation aids
Following just a few of these tips can keep you and your family or friends safe this Alaskan summer. Responsible boating is the best way to have a safe and fun experience.
The top three take-aways are:
- Boat Sober
- Wear your lifejacket
- Take a boating safety course
We wish you many fun adventures exploring our Alaskan backyard!