Rental Boat Safety

As summer comes to an end, school begins, and the temperature begins to cool in many parts of the United States, Labor Day is many people’s last chance to get out on the water before the business of fall. Here are a few reminders to make the “last” boating day of the season a safe one!

• Take a refresher course. We always recommend taking a refresher course to understand the rules of the water. The more educated you are, the safer you will be. We have safety courses on power boats, personal water crafts, paddle boarding, kayaking, and canoeing that will surely cover everything you need to know. Find them on our website www.rentalboatsafety.com. 
• Don’t boat and drink. Boating under the influence (BUI) has been the leading contributing factor in fatal boating accidents. Be smart and don’t become a statistic! Watch our video to see the potential consequences of drinking and boating.
• Check the weather. Be sure to keep an eye on the weather in the days leading up to Labor Day weekend. If you’re trying to plan ahead, check the farmers almanac - it’s a fairly accurate source to use when trying to plan for weather. During this time of year, the weather can change drastically within a few minutes. 
• Keep up communication. Whether you are fishing in the open ocean, using a personal watercraft in the lake, or doing water sports behind a powerboat in the river near shore, always bring communication devices. A charged cell phone is an easy item to remember to bring, but also have an emergency radio on board just in case you lose cell service.
• Wear a life jacket. Make sure that everyone on board is wearing a properly fitted U.S. Coast Guard approved life jacket. 

RentalBoatSafety.com is a free resource provided by the US Coast Guard to educate rental boat customers on safe boating practices to help ensure a safe and fun experience on the water. These video-based materials include boat-specific training (ranging from power boats to PWC’s, canoes/kayaks and stand up paddleboards) covering such topics as basic navigation rules, general safe operating procedures, towing, lifejacket wear, and refraining from the use of alcohol while boating. In addition to the videos, RentalBoatSafety.com provides downloadable safety checklists and an assessment feature, which provides immediate feedback on your score.