Whether you’re new to boating or a seasoned veteran, you know that sailing your boat can sometimes be dangerous. Just like when he drives a car or motorcycle, there are a few things he should do to make sure he stays safe. If you don’t know proper safety procedures, then you can end up being a danger not only to yourself, but to everyone else in the water with you.

You should always have the proper safety equipment on board. It doesn’t matter if you’re just looking to fish or do some water activities, you still need to make sure that safety is your number one priority, this includes wearing a life jacket or personal flotation device (PFD). It is important that you have plenty of US Coast Guard approved life jackets on your vessel or ship. This includes having PFDs for children under 13 years of age. Your life jackets must fit properly and comply with US Coast Guard regulations. If you have any questions or concerns about the different types of PFDs or when you should wear a life jacket, you may contact the Boating Safety Center of your state or with the authority of navigation.

The first thing you should think about before setting sail is the weather. Check with your local weather station, or if you’re going to a different city, check your weather reports. If there is a lot of wind it can make the water choppy, which may not seem so bad if it produces small waves, but if the wind is stronger it can cause you to have problems controlling and steering your boat. Also, you’ll want to watch out for storms because rain can not only limit your visibility, but it can also cause large waves and dangerous water conditions.

Make sure you understand the limitations of your boat. Most ships or boats have different weight limitations. If you overload your boat, you risk capsizing, sinking, or simply breaking far offshore. This also means that you have to take into account the different speeds that your boat is capable of. A small motorboat will not be able to go as fast or drive as a speedboat, just like a large yacht will handle differently than the other two.

Another safety tip is to follow the rules or regulations for that body of water. This may mean that if the lake you are on has a “no boats at night” rule, then the lakes coast guard or water authority may be able to give you a ticket. Some places even have a speed limit as if you were driving a car. In fact, it is illegal to drink and operate a watercraft, just as it is illegal to drink and drive. Depending on the size of the boat, passengers may be allowed to drink while on certain watercraft, as long as the driver is not drinking.

Owning a watercraft can be a lot of fun, but you should always remember that you are responsible for everyone in your boat. This means that if someone falls and gets hurt, you may be liable and have to pay any medical bills you may have. If you have boat insurance that has liability coverage, you may not have to pay all of your out-of-pocket medical expenses. Boat insurance is more than for someone else’s boat rubbing against yours, or any property damage you may cause while operating your boat, but it can also cover bodily injury liability or you can choose to get additional coverage if someone who is without insurance drives your boat.