If you’re new to the boating world and don’t want to get out on the water and behave like a complete and total newbie, here are some important mistakes you’ll want to avoid:

• Not knowing your own boat. You need to understand your boat. You need to know how to control it. You need to know its capabilities and limitations. Some of that can be learned just by studying the boat, but some of that has to come via experience, as well.
• Not using safety equipment. Not having enough life jackets for each passenger on your boat, or not having them in an accessible location is a problem. Ideally, you’ll wear your life jacket while you’re boating. When you pick the right life jacket for your frame and wearing it while you’re out, you dramatically increase your chances of surviving an accident. The leading cause of death when it comes to boating accidents is drowning, and a life vest prevents that.
• Not filing a float plan. You need to make sure you file a float plan before you leave the dock. If something happens to you, you want rescuers to know where to look. A fast rescue can mean the difference between life and death, and filing  a float plan means the difference between a fast rescue and a slow one.
• Ignoring Coast Guard safety regulations. Boats need to comply with federal safety regulations, such as including safety equipment, weight limitations and passenger issues.
• Drinking and boating. For some reason, drinking and driving a boat is more socially acceptable than drinking and driving an automobile. However, drinking and boating is just as dangerous, so just don’t do it.

If you live in Southern climates, you’re likely to be able to have more opportunity to enjoy your watercraft than if you live in those colder climates. (In most cases, this is reflected in your boat insurance premiums, too.) Still, given the opportunity, you should absolutely take advantage of any winter boating opportunities that present themselves. First, however, you need to follow some basic guidelines to make sure your winter boating experience is a good one, and that the weather doesn’t leave you filing a boat insurance claim.

Here are some of the top tips for winter boating:

• Get your boat ready for winter. If you’re not going to be using your boat during the off season, get it winterized in order to protect it from prolonged periods of non-use, and to get it ready for colder temps.
• Cover your boat. Even if you’re not worried about snowfall, you should try to keep your boat covered during the winter. If leaves fall and settle on your boat, for example, they’re going to hold moisture up against the boat. This will contribute to the deteriorating of your hull, so use a cover to help maximize yoru boat’s life.
• Be aware of underwater obstacles. Lake and river levels tend to drop at least a little bit during the winter season. Make sure you’re using the utmost caution when you’re out on your boat to avoid those obstacles. Things like sandbars, stumps, rocks and other obstructions can cause a ton of damage to your boat. Consider a depth finder to help you navigate around objects, as it’s considerably cheaper than having to replace your prop.
• Dress for the weather. Even if it’s not freezing, you can still be in a ton of trouble in the water when it’s cold. Make sure you’re dressed appropriately, and that you’re dressed to endure the cold winds that come from traveling across the water in winter.
• Inventory your safety gear. The changing of the seasons is a great time to make sure that you’ve got all of the safety equipment you need to have on board.
• Prioritize communications. While it’s always a good idea to let someone know your float plan before you go out and to make sure you’ve got a cell phone, the dangers involved in winter boating makes this step even more important.

Altogether there were two separate fireboats, as well as six deputies from the Sheriff’s Harbor Patrol that helped to put out the blaze. No one was hurt in the fire.

The authorities that responded, including police and firefighters, believe that the boat fire caused more than $150,000 worth of damage altogether. It isn’t known if the owner had boat insurance, or if his policy would cover the boat in the event of arson.

MacDonald was arrested the day of the fire. According to the police report, MacDonald made threats that day to her boyfriend and the boat’s owner, Ian Prider. The report indicates that she was wielding a knife. Prider was apparently able to get the knife out of her hand and headed off to call the Newport Beach Police Department. While he was making the phone call, the woman is believed to have set fire to the boat.

The woman was arrested based on the suspicion of a number of different crimes, including driving under the influence, assault with a deadly weapon, arson and even child endangerment. The child endangerment charge rises from the fact that, when police finally found MacDonald, her son was in the back seat of her car. The child, a 10 year-old boy, has been placed in child protective services while MacDonald currently is in custody. Bail has been set at $250,000.

Now, if a fire breaks out on your boat, there are some things you should do. If there’s not a crazy woman wielding a knife on board who set the fire, here are some steps to get you through it:

1. Contact the coast guard immediately if you’re on the water. If you’re moored, call 911.
2. Alert nearby craft, and avoid them if possible.
3. If the fire is relatively small, you can try to put it out yourself. Don’t be  a hero, of course, and know when it’s too dangerous to battle.
4. Don your life jacket, and have the crew do the same.
5. If at all possible, try to isolate your boat fuel and natural gas, if you’re using it.

If you want to make sure your boating investment is save, make sure to get a boat insurance policy today.

Early last Spring, the news headlines were dominated by the loss of a boat at sea holding 2 NFL players and their 2 friends.  After 40 hours in the water only one man, former College football player William Bleakley, was found.  His tale of what happened is both sad and harrowing.  The event that began the disaster was a wave that capsized the boat, leaving all four men in the water.  That one of them survived was in and of itself a miracle.  But what is it that this one man did that helped him survive where others perished?  It was his adherence to a few simple rules that helped him survive.  These steps and tips in and of themselves will not guarantee your survival in the event of a boat capsizing but it will greatly increase your chances.

The first step in boat safety is education.  Before any prolonged boating trip for both large inland trips and those out to sea it is greatly recommended (if not dictated by the State) that the boat captain has completed a boat safety course.  Moreso than this article, a boat safety course can help prevent the possibility of tragedy and can help prepare and individual in the event that a tragedy does happen.

While running a boat out to sea, common sense and proper boat usage can be helpful tools in the prevention of accidents.  Driving a boat with a clear and vigilant approach can help make for a steady and safe ride.  If at all possible, designating a look out can help foresee any conditions that could eventually lead to a disaster.

Once you are faced with the events immediately following a boat capsizing the preeminent rule is to always stay with the boat.  The moment a person attempts to leave the boat for a swim to safety, the chances that person will be successfully rescued drops drastically.  If it is a small enough boat and the situations are suitable, righting the boat to its correct position is ideal.  This is however quite a difficult and often impossible task.  Staying with the boat provides you with a number of helpful resources that can make the difference between life or death.  Firstly, boats are far easily more visible by rescue aircraft and parties than are individuals floating in the water.   Second, a boat provides you with additional floatation opportunities.  If you are a conscientious boater than you will be wearing your floatation device at the time of incident.  But if you are not, the boat will still provide you with a way to stay afloat without exerting all of your energy.  Additionally, body heat is lost very rapidly when a person is immersed in water.  Being with the boat will provide you with an opportunity to climb up and remove all or parts of your person from the water thereby keeping your body temperature at a sustainable level.  Keeping your clothing on and covering your head if possible are also steps that  can help your body temperature stay high.

More often than not, capsizing happen quickly and without warning.  In these situations most of the materials inside of the boat are lost.  However, once the situation has leveled out it might be a good idea to take stock of any floating items in or around the boat that are close and immediately available.  If it is possible to retain any flares or signaling mirrors these can help greatly in the event that you become aware of nearby rescue parties.

Lastly and perhaps most importantly is the simple and logical step of keeping your head together.  Making sure you do not panic is an important step.  Having a clear head allows you to take stock of the situation and make all the correct moves in your survival skill set.  Additionally, not panicking can preserve precious energy and will allow you to survive for a longer time than would be possible if you were exerting energy in a state of panic.