If you own a boat, you probably look forward to taking your friends and family out on the water in the summer, but unfortunately, thousands of trips out to sea result in unexpected accidents and injuries. In fact, according to the U.S. Coast Guard’s Boating Safety Division, hundreds of lives are lost, thousands of people are injured, and millions of dollars worth of property damage occurs every year because of preventable recreational boating accidents. It’s important for both boaters and passengers to familiarize themselves with the following boat and water safety tips to keep everyone safe on the water this summer.
- Be aware – Boating accidents occur almost every day during the summer. Just last month a yacht capsized in New York, takingthe lives of three out of its 27 passengers. On July 31, four people were sent overboard after their boat struck an object, and are still recovering fromthe accident. This accident represents just one of the 50 that have occurred in Maryland alone so far in 2012. Among these accidents, CBS Baltimore reports that six fatalities have occurred. In light oftragic accidents like these, the Coast Guard is strongly recommending that boaters keep boat and water safety in mind before setting sail.
- Realize your risks – Typically, your New Hampshire home insurance policy will not cover significant watercraft exposures, so boat owners should contact their insurance agent to determine how to fully cover the risks you face on the water. Talk to your agent about securing a separate NH boat insurance policy to ensure that you have coverage for property damage to your boat, liability issues, and accidents with uninsured boaters.
- Always stock your boat with safety equipment – Make sure your boat contains safety equipment onboard at all times. At a minimum, this includes life preservers, a first aid kit, flashlight, two-way VHF radio, fire extinguisher, flare kit, and local area water chart. If your boat is on the larger side, you should also equip it with additional lines of varied size and an inflatable lifeboat.
- Don’t overcrowd your watercraft – Never exceed the maximum passenger capacity recommended by the manufacturer.
- Wear your life jacket – According to the U.S. Coast Guard, an estimated 80 percent of victims in fatal boating accidents could have been saved had they been wearing life jackets. As the boat’s operator, you have control of your passengers, and for their own safety, it’s important to require them to wear life jackets onboard at all times.
- Save the instructions – Never dispose of the owner’s manuals. Always keep them onboard in safe, easily accessible location.
- Enroll in a safety course – Operator error accounts for 70 percent of all boating accidents, the U.S. Coast Guard’s Boating Safety Division reports. Enrolling in a boating safety course will help you arm yourself with the knowledge you need to prevent these types of accidents. Boating safety courses are sponsored in many communities by the U.S. Power Squadron or the U.S. Coast Guard. Completing a boating safety course will not only better prepare you with the information you need to remain safe at sea, but it could also score you a discount on your NH boat insurance policy.
- Get a free vessel safety check – A Vessel Safety Check (VSC) is a courtesy examination of your boat, completed by a Vessel Examiner who is a trained specialist and member of the U.S. Power Squadrons or the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. A VSC verifies the presence and condition of certain safety equipment required by State and Federal regulations, helping you navigate through potential problem situations. The Vessel Examiner will also make recommendations and educate you on safety issues that will make you a safer boater.
- Know your rental risks – If you are renting a boat, it’s important to understand that you may not have any coverage for it, even with a watercraft policy. However, if you’re ever unsure about your coverage, it’s always best to call your insurance agent.
- Understand the dangers of carbon monoxide – Carbon monoxide (CO) represents a significant hazard for boaters, both inside and outside of your boat. Although you cannot see, smell or taste CO, it can affect you at all times, whether you’re underway, moored or anchored. CO can make you sick in a matter of seconds, causing symptoms similar to seasickness or intoxication. Even a few breaths of CO can be fatal so it’s crucial to be aware of the CO risks you face as a boater, from what CO is to the places it may accumulate in and around your boat. Click here to visit the U.S. Coast Guard’s Boating Safety Division website to learn more about protecting yourself against CO risks.
- Stay above the influence – Just as you should never drive under the influence of alcohol, never operate a boat after consuming alcoholic beverages or taking prescription drugs.
At Knapton, Reade & Woods Insurance Agency, your safety is our top priority. For additional information regarding boat and water safety tips, please contact your agent. To get a free quote for watercraft or boat insurance in NH, please submit our contact us form.
