Boat Safety Tips

When summer comes around, many people enjoy being on the lake on a boat. However, like many activities, there are precautions that, if not taken, can lead to tragedy. The good thing is that there are many things you can do to ensure safety while operating a boat. Below are a few things you can do to make sure you are as safe as possible.

• Take a boating course – While not required, like driving, there are courses and pieces of training you can take to be familiar with the road rules while boating. These classes are often completed in one day and won’t require a long-term commitment.
• Follow a pre-departure checklist – Using a checklist of the required equipment is a great way to confirm that you have all equipment on board that is required by law, including life jackets, a Coast Guard-approved throwable device, and more.
• Designate an assistant skipper – Make sure another person on board knows how to operate the boat. If there is an incident where the primary operator becomes injured or incapacitated, having a backup driver will make sure someone can get the boat safely back to the shore.

You can read even more tips about boating safety here.

If you are in the market for a boat, American 1 Credit Union offers boat loans to help you thoroughly enjoy summer. Stop into your local branch, or apply here.

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