Before you even think of using your brand new boat out for a cruise on the sea it is in your own best interest to study a boat safety course and have a boat safety inspection to look for the mandatory safety tools. The US Coast Guard can offer you with a list of compulsory and proposed boat safety equipment.

Life jackets, or personal drifting tools as they are formally called, should be promptly available for each occupant of the boat. They should also be adjusted to the built of the person who is meant to wear them in the event of an emergency. They must be in good working order including all the straps and clips in place and operational. It is a good recommendation to have them fitted to the passengers so that if needed they can be worn without much further adjusting. In a number of states there is a minimum age for which the putting on of a life vest is needed at all times.

As a large part of boating safety there should also be present on board a recently checked fire extinguisher. It must be clearly labelled so that anybody can spot it if necessary and reach for it in time. There are varied types of fire extinguishers, created to extinguish different types of fires. For boating safety it is suggested to obtain a Type B or C fire extinguisher, these are designed for putting out fires initiated or fuelled by oil, grease and gas, or electrical fires.

As a final part of boating safety, particularly for boats with gasoline engines and specifically when the engine is mounted in the boat, good ventilation is cardinal.

Not only to avoid any build up of carbon monoxide, endangering the crew with poisoning, but also to limit gasoline fumes from building up and becoming a serious fire hazard.

Jason Myers is a professional writer and he writes mostly about boating news. He’s also interested in travel and tourism news.