Michigan is home to some of the richest boating culture in the United States. Access to Great Lakes, Lake St. Clair, the Detroit River, and countless beautiful inland lakes positions Michigan as an elite boating destination.
For many Michiganders, boating is a way to enjoy the summer weather, connect with family, and unwind from the stress of everyday life. This might explain why Michigan ranks second in terms of the number of registered boats. That’s right – only California has more registered boats than Michigan. We take our summers—and our boating—seriously.
As boating season arrives, it is important to keep safety in mind during your next outing. Here are some reminders to help you stay safe on the water.
Pre-Departure Checklist
Before hitting the water, it is a good idea to get into the habit of running through a pre-departure checklist. This allows you to take inventory of all safety equipment, make sure someone knows your whereabouts, and helps you avoid the dreaded realization that you forgot something important – miles offshore.
While everyone’s needs are different and checklists will likely vary, below are two examples of solid starting points for a pre-departure checklist:
Pre-departure checklist example 1
Pre-departure checklist example 2
Both of these checklists cover safety essentials, tests you can run to ensure your boat is in working order, and remind boaters to stay wary of the weather before an outing. It is a good idea to take a look at these checklists and develop one for your own use. A quick 5 minute checklist could be just what you need for peace of mind before your next outing.
Life Jackets Save Lives
Arguably the most essential part of any boat equipment load out is life jackets. You will struggle to find a pre-departure boating checklist that fails to mention life jackets. This is because life jackets are required by law.
In Michigan, a personal flotation device or life jacket is required for each and every member aboard a boat. In addition, children under 6 years old are required to have a life jacket on at all times while aboard.
Even if you are a strong swimmer, having a life jacket in the event of an emergency can be the difference between life and death. Try to imagine a scenario in which two boats collide, seriously injuring all the individuals on each vessel. Imagine your leg is broken and there is nothing you can do except wait for help to arrive. Would you really want to be without a lifejacket, waiting there helplessly with a broken leg? The answer is a resounding no, and unless you are superhuman, chances are you would not have the strength to survive.
So before your next boat outing, do the safe thing – the legal thing – make sure there is a lifejacket for everyone on board.
Propellor Safety
Boat propellers are large, sharp, fast moving, and potentially dangerous. Accidents involving propellers are extremely gruesome and should be avoided at all costs.
While you may be envisioning some high-speed mishap of epic proportions, many propeller accidents happen at moderate or low speeds – with some even occurring while boats are idling. Common scenarios where these accidents occur are:
- When someone falls overboard
- When someone swims too close to the stern
- Maneuvering crowded areas
- Letting the engine idle when people are entering or exiting the boat
To avoid propeller accidents like the ones mentioned above, here are a few tips:
- Turn off the engine before anyone enters or exits the water
- Use a kill switch lanyard or wireless engine-cutoff fob
- Always double check behind the boat before reversing
- Make sure all passengers know to avoid the stern area until the engine is completely turned off
Bonus tip:
- Obey “No Wake Zone” signs to protect swimmers, reduce shoreline erosion, and avoid fines. (We’ll dive deeper into no wake zones in an upcoming blog post.)
By being careful and taking precautions like these, you can minimize the likelihood of a propeller accident during your next boat outing.
Weather Changes
Like with any outdoor activity, keeping an eye on the weather is essential to having an enjoyable time. Nothing is worse than planning your whole day around being outside, just to have those plans ruined by some unfavorable weather. This could not be more relevant than in the case of boating.
Conditions aren’t just important for boating – they are essential. Especially in a place like Michigan where the weather is frequently unpredictable, checking the forecast before you hit the water is crucial. Unexpected bad weather can mean wind, waves, and dangerous conditions for operating a boat. It is always best to look ahead and avoid outings on days where bad weather is foreseeable.
A good rule of thumb with regard to the weather while boating: “When in doubt, don’t go out.”
Don’t be Impaired
As with driving an automobile, there is never an acceptable time to operate a boat under the influence of alcohol. Alcohol is a leading factor in fatal boating accidents – a correlation that is too prevalent to ignore.
According to the U.S. Coast Guard alcohol use is the leading primary contributing factor in fatal boating accidents. Over 17% of all fatal boating accidents had alcohol listed as their primary contributing factor.
Clearly, alcohol and boats do not mix well. By impairing your motor functions and ability to react to changes in your environment, alcohol renders you unable to operate a boat (nearly identically to how it renders you incapable of driving a car).
So, if you had a drink, take a second to think: “Is operating my boat buzzed worth it?” The obvious answer is no. Not only do you put yourself and others at risk, you also face the potential consequences of tens of thousands of dollars in attorney fees, fines, spiked insurance rates, and even jail time.
Be responsible, don’t drink and boat.
Get David Get Paid
If you or a loved one was recently involved in a boating accident, reach out to the leading name in personal injury law – reach out to David Femminineo. The team at Femminineo Law is highly familiar with the intricacies of Michigan marine law. You can rest assured that we will help you get the compensation you deserve following your accident.
Give us a call today (855-65-CRASH), or visit our website at www.getdavidgetpaid.com.
Get David Get Paid.
