GLAD YOU'RE HERE!

Welcome to BoatInsurance.org! You finally got the boat of your dreams and now you need to insure it. Browse through our insurance guides to find out what works best for your needs. Since we are more than a resource site don't forget to read up on all our columns about the boating lifestyle.

Fishing Safety Basics

Posted April 16th, 2010
by BoatInsurance.org Staff (no comments)

E-MAIL More

The last thing you want to do out on your boat while you’re trying to enjoy an afternoon of fishing is to wind up having to make a boat insurance claim. Yet, every year, dozens if not hundreds of people make simple safety mistakes while fishing that can wind up costing them dearly. If you enjoy fishing, make sure you follow through with some of these fishing safety basics:

Put together a safety bag. Your fishing safety bag should be a small duffle bag, preferably one that is buoyant and that is waterproof. It should contain a First Aid kit, insect repellant and bite treatment, ponchos, suntan lotion and sunburn cream, aspirin, and a few extra of any necessary medications you take. Make sure your safety bag comes with you every time you get in the boat, and if you take something out to use it make sure to replace it as soon as you get to shore.
Make sure your children wear a personal flotation device (life jacket) at all times. Follow any and all state laws in this regard. If state law requires adults to have a life jacket, make sure that you wear yours. Even if law doesn’t require it, make sure there are life jackets on board for each person.
Cast carefully. Check behind you for people or for obstructions. Help those that are new to fishing to check behind them every time they cast.
Wear athletic shoes that are in good repair. You may consider wearing boat shoes or dock shoes, as they’re specifically designed to keep you from slipping and falling.
Proactively deal with sunburn. Make sure you have sunscreen on at all times, and do the same for your children. Make sure to use a sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher, and make sure that every inch of exposed skin is covered.
Wear a hat and sunglasses. A hat with a bill will keep the sun out of your eyes and keep your head cool. It will also protect your head from stray hooks. The same is true with sunglasses. They’ll keep errant hooks out of your eyes, and they will help you see in the bright sunlight.
Keep hydrated. Bring cold drinks along with you to avoid heat stroke and dehydration. Water is best, and try to avoid drinking only carbonated beverages as they don’t hydrate you nearly as well as water.