April is here and that means early season boating on the Chesapeake. I’m looking forward to another successful and safe season. The reality is that you create your own success or failure on the water by being prepared. Each season before the boat goes in the water complete your regularly scheduled maintenance and check your major systems. Your boat has been idle for 3-4 months so don’t expect it to run flawlessly without attention. Electrical system, engine, propulsion, navigation lights and electronics all should be tested.
Radio checks should be performed on channel 9. Call out to TowBoatUS on 16 then switch to channel 9 to perform the radio check. Inventory extra bulbs, fuses, and other emergency repair tools to be sure nothing has gone missing or was used and not replaced last season. Check and upgrade emergency equipment such as flares, life jackets and fire extinguishers. Kidde Fire Extinguishers had a huge recall last season. Did you check to see if your boat’s fire extinguisher was included? Recall info can be found at http://www.kidde.com/home-safety/en/us/support/product-alerts/recall-kidde-fire-extinguisher/. Don’t forget to refresh the basics in your first aid kit as well. Life jackets should be easy to access and comfortable. A good Captain should insist that his crew wears them whenever on board.
A good way to stay safe every time you and your family are on-board is to create a safety check list and get in the habit of reviewing it with everyone, each time you go out. Does everybody know where the fire extinguisher and the first aid kit are stowed? What is the emergency channel on the VHF or how do you put the boat in neutral?
I also encourage you to upgrade your boat to add new hand grips and railings, refresh the non-slip on the deck, declutter and organize to eliminate trip hazards, and to consider upgrading to brighter LED navigation lights so that when you are out at night you can see and be seen. By adding a boarding ladder or portable swim ladder to your boat you can quickly take control of a man overboard scenario. If you have a little bit of technical savvy investigate the new man overboard systems that are available or simply invest in wearable light/sound beacons for Captain and crew.
And, while it is too early for some of you to get out on the water, I recommend using your time wisely to add to your boating and safety knowledge. Take a first responder class and refresh your first aid skills. BoatUS also offers an extensive menu of free online courses which include how to handle crew overboard situations, reading the weather, understanding the effects of alcohol, navigation rules, and marine communications. Accessing your current GPS lat/long is critical in an emergency. Learn how to use your navigation and other marine electronics. To make it even easier download the BoatUS towing app from your phone app store. Your current lat/long is displayed on the main screen and the data is shared with the TowBoatUS dispatcher if you contact us for assistance. Last but certainly not least, make sure your insurance and towing service plan is intact and ready to go for the season. We hear so many times that boaters think they have a towing membership only to find it has expired just before the start of the season. What you prepare for before you hit the water really does make a difference. I hope these easy reminders help to make your season safe and enjoyable.
