Boating Safety: 14 Tips for Boating at Night
With a radiant show of red, orange and yellow leading into that wide open expanse of twinkling stars and shooting rays of light, the night sky is particularly stunning when viewed from the bow of a boat (as is most everything if we’re really being honest). These activities are all fun and part of the reason many of us get into boating in the first place. The tricky part is navigating back to the ramp or private boat dock rental (limited visibility being your biggest issue). Water that looks crystal clear during the day can turn ink black at night (and then there’s the issue of other boats, debris and obstacles in the water).
Photo: Sandy Allen
Whether you’re night fishing, enjoying a romantic sunset cruise or heading home after docking and dining at your favorite waterfront restaurant, it’s sometimes necessary to operate your boat at night. Following general safe boating practices and having a float plan help prevent boating accidents, but there are a few more tips to keep in mind. Keep reading to check out advice for staying safe while boating at night.
Photo: Sandy Allen
Helpful Tips for Boating at Night
- Make sure that your engines are in proper working order and that your electronics - such as chartplotters, GPS and VHF radios - are on board the boat and are charged or have full battery life. Do the same for flashlights and headlamps. A red filter on flashlights can be helpful for nighttime viewing. Your eyes will stay adjusted to the dark while still be able to see things more clearly.
- Check tide and weather reports before leaving the boat slip for rent.
- Keep flotation devices in an easily accessible place and have binoculars close by. Attach strobe lights or glow sticks to to your PFDs just in case.
- Enlist the help of an extra pair of eyes to handle the task of lookout (watching the horizon and oncoming boats). As the captain, you have enough to keep your eyes on: gas gauges, chartplotters and operating the boat itself, just to name a few.
- This isn’t the time to be blasting the Buffett and Marley tunes. Be alert and listen for the sounds of other boats and fog horns as well as land-based sounds.
- Use extra caution when docking the boat. Distances can be distorted, so make sure all passengers stay on board until the boat comes to a full and complete stop.
- Be alert and on the lookout for running and marker lights. They’re red and green. Any boater worth his/her salt knows the mantra: red/right/returning (meaning the red lights are on your right when you’re returning to a harbor).
- Make sure your navigation (running) lights are in working order and on. Running lights are required by the Coast Guard between sunset and sunrise (for power and sailboats). Along with being able to see, you’ll also be visible to other boats on your way to a boat lift for rent.
- Keep onboard lights like courtesy and chartplotter lights on the dim side. This will help with your night vision.
- Unlike a car, don’t use your boat’s headlights (due to the reflective qualities of the water).
- Like a car, make sure you have a full tank of gas.
- Spotlights are extremely helpful. They come in fixed mount with a remote control, handheld with 12-volt plugs and handhelds with rechargeable batteries.
- Use docking lights when you get to the dock or private boat slip for rent. Spotlights are also good at the dock as they can be helpful for finding cleats, pilings, line and handrails (as well as for ease in stepping off the boat).
- Go slow. It’s not a race. With reduced visibility, it’s more difficult to gauge distances and obstacles along the way. Fog, cloud cover, temperature changes, land-based glare and obstacles such as crab pots, other boats and debris in the water can cause distortions or become invisible.
Hopefully, you’ve gathered a few tips to refer to the next time you’re boating at night. We want you to make it back to a private boat dock for rent safe and sound. Happy boating!
