Living near the Gulf Coast offers many opportunities to venture out into the waters. When doing so, it is important to learn how to stay safe when traveling by boat.

Coast Guard District 8 Recreational Boating Safety Subject Matter Expert Paul Barnard encourages individuals to create a checklist to ensure they have all the necessary items for a safe and fun day on the water.

“74% of all deaths occurred on a boat where the operator had no formal boating safety training. The Coast Guard strongly recommends taking a boating safety class,” Barnard said.

Various learning options, including online and in-person resources, educate boaters about the best practices to safeguard their vessels.
Before making waves, Barnard also recommends that boaters check the forecast to ensure the weather is ideal for the water.

“Look at the forecast wave heights, air temperature, water temperature, weather radar and thunderstorm forecast,” he said.

Live environmental data for select areas can be accessed through the National Data Buoy Center website.

Prior to leaving the dock, Barnard suggests giving a safety brief to everyone on board.

“Focus on the 'big four boating emergencies.' Those are a person overboard, a fire on board, taking on water/sinking and abandon ship. Discuss everyone's roles and where the gear for appropriate response is located,” he said.
Barnard added that during emergencies, boaters forget to do crucial things such as putting on life jackets and getting out a distress call.

Boaters can send out a distress call through VHF radio, phone or a satellite communicator such as an emergency position indicating radio beacon, a personal locator beacon or a subscription-based device.

“It is important to know that EPIRBS and PLBs must be properly and currently registered. In cases where boaters resolve the problem or no longer require assistance after making a distress call, authorities must be notified promptly," Barnard said.

The expert acknowledged some individuals may avoid wearing life jackets due to fit concerns and can be uncomfortable, but he stressed that these flotation devices are the "single most important risk mitigation measure that boaters can employ."

According to Barnard, many boaters have a ditch kit.

“This is a floating bag that contains the three S's: safety, survival and signaling equipment. This is a good place to keep the EPIRB, a handheld waterproof VHF radio, flares, signal mirrors, lights, glow sticks, sea dye and anything else that boaters may need if they are ever stranded at sea or in a remote location,” he said.

Chris Hicks, a local boater and safety director for Brett Robinson, said he practices boat safety every time he steps foot into the water vehicle.

"I always make sure people on board know what to do when there is an emergency," he said.

Hicks added that being a safety director allows him to learn new things about safety measures and incorporates them into his boat trips.

The local boater believes everyone should practice boat safety while traveling on the waters.

"Things happen quickly on the water, and if you're not prepared you could get hurt or even die," Hicks said.

Hicks' message to anyone who decides to embark the waters is to not only ensure your safety, but the safety of others.

"Some people may get lucky, but eventually it is going to catch up with them, and they are going to get themselves hurt or someone else," he said.

To learn more about bat safety, visit the Coast Guard Facebook page on recreational boat safety at www.facebook.com/groups/safeboating.