Maybe the waters are finally clearing up from the storms in your area, or maybe you want to get some last boating days in before the first cold blasts of winter, but its time to get back on that boat! You’re set right? Tanks in great condition, coolers full of delicious treats, you’ve met all your coast guard requirements!
Are you sure about that last bit?
You may have lost a life jacket in the storm, or flares have expired over the summer. Time gets the best of us and this year has certainly felt like an all gas, no brakes kind of year. So take a moment and a deep breath and go over the coast guard requirements with us.
- Life Jackets much like bike helmets are often viewed as annoying and uncomfortable but they can save your life. It’s important to make sure you have the right size and the right number of them for the persons aboard your boat. Toss out old ones with sun damage, tears, or any sign that they may not keep you floating properly. A properly fitted life jacket should sit snug on you and won’t bunch up like the worlds worst necklace when you’re in the water.
- A throwable flotation device can be either a cushion or a life ring, regardless you want something that someone can cling too!
- Fire extinguishers are a must! Water may be everywhere but if you have an electrical fire break out in your console you don’t want to douse that with the Atlantic. Know the number you need for the length of your boat and keep tabs on when they expire.
- VDS, not the diseases, but the signals! Choosing the right visual distress signal to get the attention of those passing by is key. Do you feel safer with a handheld flare or a flare gun? Would you rather use a flag or a smoke signal? Do you have an automated S.O.S light that can be seen clearly at night?
- It’s best to keep a whistle on each life jacket, and make sure you have a strong air horn to alert others when visual aids may fail.
- If your boat is from the 80s or younger it should have a rated power exhaust blower. Any older they must have natural ventilation. Make sure you’re in the clear!
- If you’ve got an inboard motor check your backfire flame arrestor.
- Before setting out do you have your documentation? Your registration numbers are all visible?
Outside of the absolutely required by the USCG list you should also make sure you have a first aid kit, proper anchoring, and I’d strongly suggest sun screen of some sort but I’m ginger and biased.
We here at Marine Surplus can offer a comprehensive list in store for you to go over and will never hesitate to find you the right gear. While some of the items we simply do not carry on the webstore due to shipping issues (flares are not fun to ship y’all) you can find air horn cannisters , Auxillary buzzer alarms , and anchoring items among 1000s of other goods. Our physical location will have the flares, fire extinguishers and an array of navigation lights for you to check out so swing by or give us a call to see how we can help get you boating safely!
After you check off the list below you can also contact the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary at www.safetyseal.net or call (877)875-6296 and they will do a safety inspection of your boat for free.
Enjoy the water safely!
Jaibird
