The weather is nice and the water is calling. The boat is dusted off and you’re ready to drop it in the lake for the season. Or maybe it’s your first boating year on the river and while you’re excited to take the family out, you might not be entirely clear on the rules of the water.
Whether you’re feeling like Captain Ahab or a fish out of water it’s always a good idea to brush up on safety measures for yourself and others. You’re in luck! We’ve rounded up some resources, best practices, and good reminders for this year’s boating fun.
Boating regulations can fluctuate with the tides. Make sure you’re familiar with updated laws by going to The National Association of State Boating Laws, for any updated information or questions you may have.
Did you know the operator of a boat is responsible for having the proper safety equipment onboard? This includes a life jacket that fits every person.
Boating is fun for the whole family as long as it’s done safely. Make sure your child has their life jacket on and buckled. If they’re below decks it’s ok to have it off in Illinois, but snap it right back on when they go back on deck.
- Short answer: don’t do it. Long answer: according to a study done by the US Coast Guard in 2017, alcohol is the leading known contributor to boating accidents and death. Here’s a short video reminder of why it’s important to stay safe and stay sober.
In Illinois persons between the ages of 12 and 17 years old are required to take a boating safety course if they wish to operate a motorboat by themselves. As for everyone else, the US Coast Guard highly recommends it. You may already have a driver’s license and know how to drive safely but a boat on the water is a bit different than a car on the road.
There’s a boat noise limit on many waterways and depending on where you are, the limits fluctuate. If you’re zooming around in a loud boat on the lake this weekend you could land yourself a big, fat, citation. Spare yourself the pain by educating yourself on the maximum noise level for motorboats in your state.
We’re not talking about sunscreen, we’re talking about insurance. Call Snyder Insurance to make sure you’re covered and we’ll set you up with a good rate on your boat policy.
