Safety in Boating: Keeping it Safe with Kids on Board
From swimming, snorkeling and tubing to fishing and cruising along the coastline, boating is a fun activity that the whole family can enjoy. Anytime you combine boats, water and kids, there are going to be safety issues to consider. You don’t have to sacrifice the fun for safety while you’re out with the kids.
Today, we’re going to go over some tips to keep it safe while the kids are on board, whether you’re heading out from a private boat slip rental or embarking from the local boat ramp.
Life Jackets
Photo: Pixabay
Life jackets aren’t an option, they’re a must. The kids may not like it, but if there’s one thing they absolutely can’t go without, it’s a life jacket. Not only are life jackets a safety factor, they’re the law. Check the laws in your state to see the age requirements for life jacket wearing.
Before Boarding
Go over the ground (or rather, “water”) rules ahead of time. You know your kids, so you can tailor the rules to apply to them. Give each kid a task (like tying off a line, snapping on seat cushions or even just hoisting a flag) to help them feel part of the “crew” and get acquainted with the boat and all of the chores it requires. Do things like applying sunscreen and putting on life jackets before getting on the boat.
Be Prepared
Photo: Pixabay
Being overprepared is a good thing while out on the water with kids. As with any other outing, make sure your VHF radio, GPS, smartphone and other electronics are charged before leaving your private boat lift rental. Teach the kids how to use these devices in case there’s ever a problem.
Practice safety skills ahead of time with man-overboard drills and things like how to use a fire extinguisher and how to deploy a PLB or an EPIRB. Make a list of all the pre-boarding rules, and have the kids mark off each item. Include the kids by choosing somebody to be the designated “First Mate” for each trip (you can even assign second and third mates) and have that person watch for buoys and help with chart plotting. When kids feel included and important, they’re more likely to behave appropriately.
Here are a few basic boating safety tips to add to your checklist:
- Always wear a life jacket
- Don’t sit on railings
- Sit still while the boat is underway
- No running on deck
- Consider enrolling kids in a boater education course or a swimming class
- Refer to the first tip
Confidence on the Water
Photo: Unsplash
Make sure your kids are comfortable in the water and have good swimming skills. Even while wearing a life jacket (see rule #1), kids should be able to swim or at least tread water.
Clear the Clutter
Photo: Unsplash
Keep the decks clear of toys, lines, fishing poles and other items that can cause slipping and tripping. Have a deck box or plastic tub that’s specifically for all the water toys, shoes and other items that typically get strewn all over the place.
Watersports
While towing tubes or wakeboards, make sure the kids are wearing Coast Guard-approved Type III life jackets. Have an adult spotter watching while you’re towing, and avoid high-traffic areas.
Anchored Out
Photo: Pixabay
While anchored out, teach kids to stay away from propellers and anchors. Anchors are more of a worry if you’re anchored in water you can walk around in. If it’s deep water, the anchor isn’t as much of a worry, but the prop still is. Swim and snorkel well away from the back of the boat.
It's a good idea to keep a couple of extra pairs of water shoes on board. If you’re out walking around and exploring small islands, there can be sharp shells and rocks in the water.
First Aid
Photo: Wikimedia
Keep a well-stocked first aid kit on board. From fishing hooks and the aforementioned sharp rocks to bumped knees and sunburn, it’s always good to be prepared for whatever might come your way. A few items to add to your kit include: bandages, tweezers, antibacterial ointment, alcohol wipes, aloe and hand sanitizer.
At the Dock
Photo: Sandy Allen
It’s an inclination of everybody on a boat to reach for the pilings (adults included). This is never a good idea. Boats are a lot heavier than they seem in the water, and pinched fingers are not fun for anybody. Kids can still help with docking tasks. Teach kids to keep their hands well away from the dock (which will prevent them from getting pinched between the dock and the boat). It might help if everybody has an assigned seat while docking. Once the boat is pulled up to the dock, kids can help tie the line to the cleats.
Step Away from the Ramp
While it’s good for kids to learn how to help with the boat, they are safest inside the car or standing on the dock while putting the boat in or taking it out of the water. Of course, if you have an in-water boat slip rental, this won’t be a worry.
Hopefully you’ve picked up some tips to keep your kids safe while you’re having fun on the water. With just a few precautions and planning, safety and fun can go hand in hand. Happy boating and stay safe out there!
