99TravelSafe.com
52 – Ensuring Watercraft Safety!
The Website For The Smart and Savvy Traveler
IF you CANNOT swim, it’s better to AVOID watercraft.
Take lessons before you head out for the first time, or review the owner's manual periodically.
Operate your watercraft with courtesy and common sense!
Follow the traffic pattern of the waterway. Obey no-wake and speed zones.
Some areas have special laws governing the use of personal watercraft which address operations, registration and licensing requirements, education, required safety equipment and minimum ages.
Use extreme caution around swimmers and surfers. Run your watercraft at a slow speed until the craft is away from shore, swimming areas, and docks.
Avoid passing close to other boats and jumping wakes. This behavior is dangerous and often illegal.
Life jackets should be worn by the operator of the watercraft as well as any riders.
Watercrafts should always travel in groups of two or three.
-- You never know when an emergency might occur.
Alcohol impairs your judgment, balance, and coordination.
AVOID consuming alcohol while using watercraft.
If you are in trouble, call or wave for help.
Before taking a turn, look to both sides, as well as behind, to make sure no boats are overtaking your craft.
Always give other boaters enough space
Life jacket for each operating passenger, and person being towed
Coast Guard-approved B-1 fire extinguisher
Sound-signaling device such as a whistle or horn
Emergency engine cutoff lanyard attached to the operator
Full display of registration numbers, letters and validation decals
Vessel registration, to be displayed when requested
Functioning backfire flame arrestor and passive ventilation system - A backfire flame arrestor is a round device with a grill that attaches to the air intake of a boat engine. When the engine backfires, the ,arrestor diverts the flames away from the boat and into the surrounding atmosphere!