Buying A Boat But Worried About Safety? What To Know

If you have recently purchased a boat but you fear that there could be a safety issue on the water, you have to be sure that you have the proper marine supplies to deal with any problems or complications. You want to be prepared for the worst, so you can have the best scenario possible if there is an emergency while you are out and have people on board. Find a local marine supply dealer or look into ordering all of these items, and you'll be able to drive with confidence.

Life Jackets and Inflatable Boat

It's a coast guard requirement to have a life jacket for everyone that is on board. Be sure that you get coast guard approved life jackets to store on board, that you have them checked regularly, and you should look into getting an inflatable boat. This way you can escape if your boat takes on water, starts fire, or if there is another emergency and a boat is needed. Infants and children will need size appropriate life jackets.

Fire Safety Equipment

You want to be prepared for an electrical fire or other fire hazards on the boat. You will be required to have an up to date fire extinguisher on board, and you may want to have more than one, depending on the size of your boat. Have the wiring inspected regularly to prevent problems. Your fire extinguishers will be checked if you get pulled over, so make sure that they are always up to date.

Flare and Whistle

You should store flares on your boat, so if you get into trouble and its night time, you can shoot off the flares and people will know that you need assistance. You never know if your radio won't work, your cell phone doesn't have service, or what else could happen, and then you will want to have a flare. A whistle can also be beneficial because they can be heard from long distance.

There are other items that you could consider storing, like a rope if you need to get a tow from another boat, some water or food items, even possibly a large umbrella in case you break down and you need to get in the shade. When you compile a list of the necessary items that could be used, you want to order and find the proper place on your boat to store everything.