Heading Offshore In Your Boat? 4 Safety Precautions You Should Always Take
If you're going to be heading out to sea with your boat this summer, you'll need to make sure you're prepared for the adventure. You never know when an emergency situation is going to occur in an offshore boat. If it does, you need to be make sure you have everything you'll need to get through it. Here are four tips that will help you through those unexpected emergencies.
Keep a Spare Cell Phone on Board
If you're going to be away from shore, make sure you always have a way to contact emergency assistance. You never know when your marine radio is going to go out. That's why it's crucial that you always have at least one spare cell phone on board at all times. The spare cell phone will allow you to call for help, even if your marine radio is out of commission. For maximum protection, it's a good idea to have a backup radio on board as well.
Inspect Your Fire Extinguishers
You never know when a fire is going to break out on board your boat. When it does, you'll need to be able to extinguish it quickly. Before you head out to sea, make sure you take the time to inspect your fire extinguishers. They should not be outdated, and you should have at least one multipurpose fire extinguisher on board at all times. Multipurpose extinguishers will allow you to put out any type of fire you experience, including electrical fires. If you have a galley on board your boat, you should have one extinguisher on the deck and one below in the galley.
Update Your First Aid Kit
If it's been a while since you checked your first aid kit, it's time for you to update it. Before you head out on your boat, make sure you have adequate supplies in your first aid kit, including bandages, antibiotic ointment, and medical gauze. You should also have hand sanitizer and gloves in your kit. If you're going to be fishing, be sure to keep a pair of tin snips and pliers with your first aid kit. This will allow you to safely remove fish hooks that might get embedded in you or a fellow fisherman on board your boat.
Keep Visual Distress Signals on Hand
If you're going to be offshore, it's important for you to keep several visual distress signals on hand for emergency use. Your visual distress signals will allow you to alert others to your immediate need for assistance. Your signals will also help emergency personnel locate your boat, should you become stranded overnight.
Don't head out in your boat without the proper safety precautions. Use the tips provided here to prepare you for emergency situations.