When most of us started out boating, safety was drilled into our heads. For many of us, before we even discussed premiums or coverage, our boat insurance agents wanted to talk about boating safety. Some places even require boating safety courses before we can get out on the water. And if we’re not careful, after we’ve been at it for a while, we can find ourselves letting the safety tips we know we should follow go in one ear and out the other.

Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m sure if anybody asked, the vast majority of us would say that we’re safe boaters. But are we really? Boating can be a safe and fun way to spend a summer afternoon, but a couple of bad decisions, seemingly small things, can cause a day of fun on the water to turn ugly fast.

The really sad thing is, most of the deaths in boating accidents are preventable. Fully two thirds of boating accident deaths are from drowning. And in almost every case, the victim wasn’t wearing a life jacket.

Most of us don’t go out on the water without life vests in the boat. Our boat insurance policies generally require us to carry them out on the water with us, but how often do we actually wear them? A life vest stashed under the seat doesn’t do us any good at all if we find ourselves unconscious in the water after an accident.

We all tell ourselves those kinds of things won’t happen to us, and most of the time, we’re right. But, if something as simple as insisting that everyone wear a life jacket could make the difference between an inconvenient accident and a deadly one, isn’t it worth it? At the very least, wear life vests while the boat is moving, and insist that children wear them all the time.

Another issue that has come under a great deal of scrutiny in recent years, and rightly so, is drinking and boating. While there are few laws restricting boaters from having alcoholic beverages on board, laws are becoming stricter and stricter for those caught operating a boat while under the influence of alcohol.

Operating a boat while drinking is every bit as dumb as operating a car. If we wouldn’t get behind the wheel of a car with an open beer, we shouldn’t drive a boat that way either. And if you would, do us all a favor and don’t get behind the controls of a boat or car. There’s much evidence that alcohol use on the water is even worse than on the road because factors such as exposure to wind and sun may increase the effects of the alcohol.

Photo via armyengineersnorfolk