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We are so fortunate to have our beautiful Lake Waco, along with a slew of near by large public or small private lakes. With summer upon us and May being Boating Safety Month, we want to provide you with some helpful reminders on how to be safe while your family enjoys boating fun in the sun!
This is a compilation of tips provided by Waco’s Marineland Boating Center and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
- Pay attention | Always have a passenger serve as a lookout in addition to the operator. They should not be the same person.
- Bring/wear the proper life jackets | Children younger than age 13 must wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved PFD while underway. Always carry extra PFD’s in both adult and child sizes.To big and it will slip off too small and it won’t support you. (infants need head and neck supports)
- Be prepared with a boat safety kit.
- Check the weather beforehand.
- Don’t overload the boat with people or equipment.
- No swimming while the motor is running. Not in front, behind or either side. It only takes a bump to spin the boat or hit someone.
- Have your children wear brightly colored swimsuits so they are easily spotted in the water.
- Avoid alcohol.
- Be especially careful on personal watercrafts.
- Enroll your teens and participating adults in a boater education class.
- Operate at a safe speed.
- Watch out for low water areas or submerged objects.
- Use age appropriate toys and equipment
- Practice sun safety and be equipped with sunscreens (waterproof for face, body and lips), hats and sunglasses. Stay hydrated and pack snacks!
Lastly, you should always the best role model for your children and family. Boating safety habits can be taught, but they should also be modeled. We hope that this summer is a special time full of memories on the water. Please remember to be present and aware at all times because for many reasons, you don’t want to miss a thing.
