Important Points About Recreational Boating

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Important Points About Recreational Boating
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Intro

• Boating is one of the more enjoyable summer
  activities for a lot of people, but it can also
  be one of the more dangerous. Recreational
  boating accounts for many injuries and many
  deaths every year, and even though accidents are
  part of any kind of traveling, you can reduce the
  likelihood of a mishap.
• Following some important points about
  recreational boating will keep you and your
  guests safe while out on the water.

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Get Your License

• You can take the test for your pleasure craft
  operators license online, and it isnt overly
  hard to get. But it will provide you with the
  knowledge you need to stay safe on the water and
  obey all of the necessary laws. It wasnt too
  long ago that no licensing at all was required to
  take a boat out on the water, but enough injuries
  and fatalities have occurred over the years to
  make government react. The bottom line is, dont
  take control of any kind of motorized pleasure
  craft without the proper license. Recreational
  boating must be safe above all else.

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Get Your License

• Just like with driving a car, you need a boat
  license if youre going to be in control of a
  boat on Canadian waters. Law enforcement has the
  right to board your vessel and ask to see your
  proof of competency, which is your boat license.
  If you arent able to show the license, youll
  have the pleasure of a 250 fine right then and
  there. And it isnt enough to say that youll
  show it later. The fine applies even if youve
  passed your test, but just dont have the actual
  license with you.

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Instruct Your Guests

• Another important point to keep in mind about
  recreational boating is to instruct your guests
  on the proper way to behave while on the boat.
  Some of the information you should relay
  includes
• Stepping up onto the boat rather than jumping
• Holding onto the sides or any railings when
  getting on and off
• Where lifejackets are located
• How to put lifejackets on
• Where the first aid kit is located and whats
  inside
• How to keep their balance on the boat if theyve
  never been on one before
• Which laws are applicable to their time on the
  boat
• You also might want to ask around amongst your
  guests to see if anyone has taken the necessary
  boat exam, just in case you are incapacitated for
  any reason.

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Refrain from Drinking

• Drinking and boating is just as frowned upon as
  drinking and driving, and it is a very important
  thing to remember about recreational boating.
• When you are boating, you will suffer many of the
  same effects as you will when drinking and
  driving, including
• Impaired judgment
• Impaired motor skills
• Slow down in reflexes
• The difference with boating and drinking is that
  the effect of the alcohol can hit you much faster
  and more seriously when you are out in the sun,
  like is often the case. Just like with your car,
  you will be charged under the Criminal Code if
  you operate a boat while your blood alcohol level
  is 0.08 or higher.

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Watch that Fatigue

• Even if you arent drinking, just being out on
  the water in the sun for a long period of time
  can create a condition known as boater fatigue.
  The sun, wind, boat vibration and motion of the
  boat contribute to boater fatigue, and although
  it can be pretty bad on its own its even worse
  when you are drinking.

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Practice Proper Etiquette

• Even if you are good with the law, your guests
  are well instructed and youre full of energy,
  there are still the other boaters to consider.
  Boating etiquette is an aspect of recreational
  boating that will keep you in the good graces of
  the other boaters and will enhance your safety.
• Some of the important elements of proper boating
  etiquette include
• Being mindful of the waves you leave behind
• Slowing down as you approach other boats or
  swimmers
• Securing your belongings when you launch
• Moving swiftly to launch or refuel when there are
  a lot of other boats waiting
• Keep your boat lines away from anyplace where
  someone might trip over them
• Keeping the water and your boat clean
• Keeping noise levels to a minimum or at least in
  line with everyone else

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Practice Proper Etiquette

• If you exhibit general courtesy at all times when
  youre on the water, it should make for an
  enjoyable time for you and your guests, without
  disrupting too many other boaters.