Safety

[MKmedic]

I am about to pick up my boat here this week sometime and I was wondering as far as safety items go...is there any type of checklist or something that will direct me in the right path as far as safety items required on the boat? I am getting an 18 ft 1990 Sea Ray 180

 

[Another retired guy]

Re: Safety

Hi. This may help

Pennsylvania Boating Handbook

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: Safety

Best thing is go to the PA Boat & Fish & Commission website and look for the requirements, I don't find it the easiest site to navigate. Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission Home Page

Here is a recap published by them, but check the actual regs.: http://fishandboat.com/boatrecap.pdf

Do consider taking a safety course if you are new to boating and if experienced, as a refresher. It can't hurt. Have fun on the water.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Safety

IN addition to the required safety devices, these are safety items I consider important:

1. a bailing device. Even if it's the same bucket you keep your cleaning stuff in or use for a ladies room.

2. A properly rigged anchor. When you get in trouble you want to stay put. And you'll have line for other uses (be sure to have a bow and stern line at least as long as the boat).

3. If you cannot climb in the boat from deep water by yourself with your clothes on, install a swim step or carry a ladder you can reach from overboard and hang.

4. A paddle. You won't set any speed records but it can be all you need when the motor quits when you just pull away from the dock, or to get to that channel marker, etc. Also for rescue of people and objects overboard.

5. A waterproof light. Should be on your PFD. But even day-time boaters need one when they break down at sunset. SAR can spot a minimag light from miles away or 1000 feet up.

6. If cell phones work, a watertight (not waterproof) case, into which you put the phone before you leave shore, and keep within arm's reach while motoring. The best thing about having it sealed up in a case is that you can't answer it while you are boating--isn't that why you go boating?

7. If you use the kill switch lanyard, an extra one, so that when you go overboard and take one with you, your passenger can start the boat and come get you.

Other items may be driven by your conditions; on seaside marshes a shove pole is second only to the anchor in crucial safety gear.

 

[Woodnaut]

Re: Safety

Some sage advice above. (I'm happy to claim compliance with all items on Home Cooking's list.)

Also, check out the "Boating Safety" section of this forum. Good stuff posted there.

My personal thoughts on safety items:

1. Everybody on my boat wears a lifejacket at all times. No exceptions. Ever. There just isn't a good explaination in the event of the so-called "unexpected". Compliance with this rule is easy when each member of the family has their own life jacket - one that fits them well and that they like. I'm 58 years old and still won't budge on this rule.

2. Don't know if you'll be venturing out onto Lake Erie or not, but that is an awfully big lake and a cell phone may not cut it. I get out into the Gulf sometimes so I have 2 Personal Locator Beacons on board.

3. If you are out on the big lake then you might consider an upgrade to auto-inflatable life jackets. I use the regular life jackets for the bay and inflatables when offshore.


A few other items:

4. Maintanance. The best way to deal with trouble is to avoid it altogether. Keep the fuel system clean, use a fuel stabilizer, keep the electrical system clean and tight, bilge pumps (and switches) clear and reliable, engine well maintained and the hull solid.

5. Tools. Searously. Do a search on this forum and you'll find some lists.

6. Electronics. Where I boat the bays are shallow and it's easy to get into trouble real quick. I have a combination depth sounder and GPS. This has got to be the best invention since the bilge pump.

7. The driveway is a much better place to find trouble than the boat ramp. Make sure you've checked out everything before you leave the house. When you get to the boat ramp it's time to go boating - not cross your fingers and "hope it starts". That's just asking for trouble when you get out on the water. :facepalm:

8. Have fun, be courteous, and plan ahead.