Your family has been ready for weeks to take the boat out on the water. You also have to admit that you have been anxious for a nice weekend to take the boat out of storage and ride it along the waves. Yet before one person steps onto your boat, you want to go over your boat insurance policy and your safety checklist to ensure you are prepared for any mishaps.
Boat Safety Checklist
Personal floatation devices: It doesn’t matter how good of a swimmer you are, it is required by state law to have the acceptable personal floatation device on board for every person that is on the boat.
Boat equipment: You should have towlines to help other stranded boaters, dock lines to tie your dock up to the pier and a boat anchor to prevent your boat from drifting if you have engine failure.
Signaling and Distress Devices: It is ideal that you have a cell phone or marine VHF radio on board your boat in case you need emergency help. If there are boaters nearby, you should also have signaling devices such as sound makers, flares, whistles, distress flags or a fog maker.
Fire Extinguisher: Even when you’re surrounded by water, an engine fire can happen on your boat that can cause significant damage and loss of life. Always have a fire extinguisher on board.
First Aid Kit: A first aid kit should be stocked with the basic items to give immediate medical attention: gauze, bandages, aspirin, motion sickness medication and other items.
Make your summer fun and safe! For more information about personal boat, auto, RV and other recreational vehicles like skidoos and ATV insurance in California, please contact Randy Jones Insurance located in Pleasanton at 925-426-2545.