As July turns into August, are you ready to get out on your vessel and enjoy the summer? After having been cooped up in your home all winter long, doesn’t it feel freeing to be on the water? There’s nothing like going out on a boat in the summertime, whether it’s with family and friends or for business. No matter why you’re out on the water though, safety has to be paramount. Indeed, it’s always the first, most important priority. Our USCG portal has some safety tips to help you and yours enjoy being on the water all summer (and year) long.
What to Check on Your Boat
Just about every vessel owner has their own pre-departure checklist. The best one, however, is the one that’s most authoritative. So, you want to have everything you need in terms of personal floatation devices, visual distress signals, tools for navigation, fire extinguishers that you know can do the job, something that can produce sound (I. E. an air horn) a nightlight, navigation lights, a VHF radio, your phone, and more. You may even want to have an “old-school” AM-FM radio for weather reports. Checking the fuel as well as engine fluids in your vessel is always a good idea, too.
What to Check on Land
You probably know, at this point, to designate a float plan with someone on land before you head out on the vessel. This will detail where you’ll be, when, and most importantly when you’ll be back. Obviously, you’re going to check the weather before you go out, but, if there’s one thing we’ve all learned in recent years, it’s that weather can change at a moment’s notice. When thinking about what to include in a float plan, ask yourself: “what will this person on land need to be able to tell the Coast Guard where I am?”
A “Designated Skipper” as Well as an “Assistant Skipper”
Partying with friends and family on your vessel during the summer is, literally, for many of us, what the summer is all about. That said, you know to have a “designated skipper,” someone who’s not going to drink any alcohol so that they can return the boat to land safely. Many are also including an “assistant skipper” as well, someone who can also man the helm, so to speak, should anything happen. It’s one more way to be that much safer.
A USCG Portal That’s Always Open
Many vessel owners, before heading out on the water, make sure that they have all of the right vessel documentation, too. You can find and fill out all of the forms you’ll need right at our site. Indeed, as our site has been optimized for mobile devices, you’ll be able to fill these out from anywhere, even possible out on the water on your vessel (provided you have an internet connection). To see everything that we have to offer, you can head to our site. You can also speak to our staff at (866) 981-8783.
Our USCG portal has all of the documentation (as well as safety tips) you’ll need on the water. For more: (866) 981-8783.