How to Avoid a Boating Accident

Boating is a wonderful pastime that is generally fairly safe if you’re a responsible boater. However, there is still the risk of an accident, and boating accidents do tend to make headlines due to their strangeness and the tragedy involved. Many boating accidents actually stem from irresponsibility and poor choices, though, rather than mechanical error or a freak of nature, which means that there are steps you can take to safeguard yourself and your passengers against a calamity.

The Harbor (Boat & Yacht Sales) in Branson is your Missouri boat dealer. Here are several great tips for avoiding a boating accident that will help you enjoy your time on the water without incident.

1. Fires

Yes, a boat can catch fire, even though it’s surrounded by water! In fact, that’s part of the problem: a boat isn’t on any ground you can stand on so you can’t exactly flee from it without swimming away, which may not be possible if you’re far enough out. 

While many of today’s boats are built to prevent fires, it’s still something that can happen due to a fuel leak. To avoid this, take notice of any fuel aromas around the bilge or obvious leaks on your craft. Always carry at least one fire extinguisher on board and keep it updated.

2. Battery Failure

If your boat’s battery dies on you, then you’re going to end up stranded. What’s worse is that the battery controls the lighting on your boat so if you’re boating near dusk, you could become virtually invisible to other boats by nightfall.

Most of today’s boats have absorbed glass mat batteries that aren’t going to leak or require maintenance, but some older boats still have flooded cell batteries that need to have their fluid levels checked on a weekly basis. Only add distilled water to these batteries.

To avoid running down your battery on the water, be mindful of using any equipment that draws power from it, such as lights, your stereo system, phone chargers or other electronics. Keep a flashlight and flares on board your vessel to use in an emergency.

3. No Safety Gear

Carrying the right safety gear when boating is crucial to the safety of you and your passengers. A careless boater might try to go out without the items they need, but they’ll reap what they sow if they encounter a problem out on the water.

One of the most important pieces of safety gear to have with you is a supply of life jackets for every passenger. The life jackets should fit securely and be in good condition with no rips or holes. Do not put a child in an adult life jacket or vice-versa: everyone should have a life jacket that fits their body when adjusted.

Life jackets should be worn from dock to dock, ideally, because you could fall into the water at any time. The failure to wear a life jacket is a common reason why people die when falling into cold water because they can’t move fast enough before hypothermia and shock set in.

Another piece of gear you don’t want to leave without is a first-aid kit that’s stocked with all the supplies you need in an emergency to dress wounds or attend to an illness. You should also make sure you have an anchor to keep your boat in place during a storm or a breakdown. Another means of propelling the boat in case the engine fails is a canoe paddle or oar, which is handy to have.

4. Inclement Weather

Yes, there are boaters who see a storm warning on the forecast and decide to leave the dock anyway, and they usually end up having to be rescued. With all the modern technological advances we have to keep tabs on the weather, there’s really no excuse for going out when a storm is on the horizon. Always check the weather before you depart to make sure that there’s nothing forecasted for the day that could impact your safety.

5. Speeding

Sure, it’s fun to cruise across the lake at high speeds, especially when towing watersports participants. However, you need to be responsible about operating your boat at high speeds and only do it in good conditions during the day when you aren’t likely to run into anything. Speeding at night is a particularly dangerous endeavor, since you won’t be able to see the path ahead and you could easily hit a boat with its lights off due to a dead battery, a buoy or any number of other obstacles on the water.

If your boat could use professional maintenance before your next outing, get in touch with the service department here at The Harbor. We’ll be more than happy to look over your craft and make sure that it’s ship-shape so you’re at less risk of an accident. Want to look at some new boats? Visit our website to take a look at our fine selection of new and used boats for sale at our dealership in Branson, MO. The Harbor proudly serves the cities of Springfield and Kansas City, MO.