With boating season about to kick into full force, it is time that you consider whether or not you want to take a boating safety course before hitting the waters. Let us preface this by saying that if you are a first-time boater, you should no doubt take a boating course. This article is geared more towards those who are experienced boaters that are considering taking a boat course before the season begins.
We get it; you’re probably an experienced boater who feels quite confident in their ability to take on the raging waters. You may know your way around your boat and all of your favorite waterways, but as you know there are always blind spots in boating, and you may not even recognize that you have areas that can improve. Some of the learning opportunities of boating safety courses are as follow:
Environmental Protection
When it comes to protecting the environment around your favorite lake, stream, river or shoreline, it is not only the moral thing to do, but it is often enforced by laws. From preventing pollution to low-wake zone awareness, there are small steps that you can take to ensure that the environment surrounding your favorite boating spot is taken care of. Taking a boating safety course will help you learn more about how to make a positive impact on the environment you’re boating in.
Boat Operation
Though you may feel like a professional when it comes to operating your boat, there is always room for improvement. Often as boat operators, we pick up bad habits that can negatively impact your boating experience or cause an accident. It is always an excellent idea to take a safety course to touch up on the best practices for operating your vessel.
Emergency Procedures
Emergencies are never planned, and if you’ve never had to face one, you may not have the best plan of action for handling it. From fires to dangerous weather, when handling an emergency every second counts. Don’t threaten your life or the life of others because you don’t know how to manage a situation of urgency. A boating safety class will teach you the right procedures in some potentially fatal situations while boating.
Navigation
Even if you’ve been boating in the same waters for years, you still need to properly plan for your boat outing. Boating safety courses help you learn what all needs to go in to preparation for each of your future boating endeavors.
Equipment
When boating you have many tools to utilize not only to keep you safe but also ensure that your vessel is functioning properly. Knowing how to inspect this equipment and fully understanding how all of the equipment aboard works is crucial when on the water. Boat safety courses allow you learn your gear backward and forwards.
If you’re a new boater, these boating safety courses are truly no-brainers! Why not begin your voyage knowing all you can and ensuring safe travels for you and anyone you may come into contact with on the water. For you more experienced boaters out there, why wouldn’t you want to touch up your master skills? It is worth knowing everything possible to ensure that you are boating safely, especially when friends or loved ones are involved. Remember, safety first!
