Safety when out on the water is paramount for anyone out boating, but those using motorboats need to take particular care.
The vessels they use are exceptionally powerful – even if they are relatively small in size – and situations can quickly develop if they are not operated in a safe fashion.
As a result, only those who have taken boating lessons and sufficient powerboat training should be in control of such vessels.
Insurance is also required for vessels and it is the responsibility of the boat owner to ensure that is in place prior to using the boat concerned.
Both insurance and a Boat Safety Scheme certificate are required in order to register a boat, so both should be present on any vessel that is using waterways legally.
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The initial aspect of safety for boaters relies on an ability to manage an emergency – while this does not come naturally to many, it can make all the difference should a problem occur.
Nautical First aid courses and survival courses were designed for these very instances, to provide people with the knowledge and skills required to deal with anything they face.
From recovering people from the water to dealing with those overcome by illness or injury following an accident, these courses provide the necessary guidance on what to do.
The actions in the immediate aftermath of a problem developing can be the difference between life and death, which is why such courses take on so much importance.
Meeting government rulesGovernment regulations relating to owning a boat state that anyone in control of a vessel should be alert to any other boats in the vicinity at all times in order to prevent collisions.
Navigation lights, shapes and signaling devices should also be present on a boat, while maintaining a safe distance should also occur all of the time.
This is especially the case when near to diving boats where a is clearly displayed as people will be in the waters surrounding these vessels.
Where boats are more than 13.7 metres long, a number of other safety equipment is also required, including lifejackets, liferafts, flares and fire extinguishers.
The latter two should both be up to date and old flares should be disposed of properly – guidelines state how this should occur.
The specific details of what is required will depend on the nature of the sailing trip – such as how far from the coast anyone plans to travel.
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution has also put together this guide on how to remain safe when out on the water, adding that many situations could be easily avoided.
Fully understanding a craft and all of its components is an essential part of powerboat safety – it means those on board are aware of the power that they are controlling.
Having the right boat for the job can make all the difference to a boating experience, as people should not try to control more than they can handle.
If the suitable skills that are required to handle the boat are not present, then the person should not be handling that boat – it really is as simple as that.
These skills are developed through extensive powerboat training which deals with all aspects of safety, navigation, legislation and general maintenance.
Essentially, knowledge really is everything when using a powerboat safely as it is vital not to push the boundaries too far.
As long as this occurs, a powerboat can be used in a safe and fun fashion, which should in turn guarantee a safe and enjoyable experience for all of those on board.