Wednesday, March 8, 2017

9 Safety Tips for Boating

While spending time boating at the Lake of the Ozarks makes for memorable moments with friends and family, it is important to keep safety top of mind, while operating a vessel. Here at BomBay Boat Rental Co., we want our customers to practice boating safety at the Lake of the Ozarks. To help remind you of some safety tips, before the boating season is underway, we have provided some tips below!


1) Remain Seated


Encourage all passengers to remain seated, when the boat is moving. This can help reduce the risk of someone falling overboard, as the boat is moving. Aside from falling off the boat, a falling injury can occur inside the boat, if a passenger is standing while hitting a wave.

2) Educate Passengers of Dangers


Before heading out on your boating excursion, go over the basic dangers with all passengers. Ensure everyone on board knows the dangers of the propeller and the risk of carbon monoxide inhalation. Also remind all passengers of the life jacket location and other safety precautions.

3) Wear a Life Jacket


In Missouri, it is required by law to have one Coast Guard approved life jacket for each person on the vessel. It is a good idea to wear the life jacket, when the boat is underway. Children should wear a life jacket at all times on the boat.

4) Be Alert


When traveling on our beautiful lake, pay attention to other boaters moving around. It is important to know the location of the shore and other boaters, as you travel on the water. Be extra alert when navigating around other vessels. It can be hard to predict the actions of other boaters on the water - always be prepared to react accordingly.

5) Designate a Driver


Boating While Intoxicated (BWI) is a leading cause of fatal boating accidents, according to the U.S. Coast Guard. If your group is going to participate in drinking, ensure you have a designated driver lined up, before hand.

6) Check the Weather


Missouri weather can change rapidly, ensure you check the weather forcast, before heading out on the water. A storm can roll into the area quickly, leaving you limited time to return to safety.

7) Keep an eye on Speed


Avoid speeding while operating a boat on the Lake. This can lead to a dangerous situation for everyone on the water, including your passengers. To avoid an unnecessary accident, keep your speed at a reasonable level.

8) Shut off Propeller


Coving out and participating in water sports, like tubing and wake boarding, are a fun way to spend a day on the water. Remember to shut off the propeller anytime a person is in the water, near the prop. Whether they are jumping off the boat or boarding via the ladder, it is important to keep the propeller from moving, to reduce the chance of an injury.

9) Share your Plan


Keep a friend or family member informed of your plans for boating. A general route of travel and expected time of return are important pieces of information to share with someone on shore.

Now that you know these tips for a safe boating experience, you are ready to schedule your boat rental at the Lake of the Ozarks! We want you and your group to have a fun time out on the water, but we also want to help ensure you are safe. Keep these safety tips in mind anytime you are operating a vessel. To schedule your rental for your upcoming excursion, contact BomBay Boat Rental Company at one of our locations, nearest you!

BETTER PRODUCT, BETTER PRICES, BETTER PEOPLE!

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