There's plenty boaters can do to protect themselves and others this season.
With Memorial Day Weekend approaching and National Safe Boating Week (May 16-22) already upon us, it's time to start thinking about getting your boats and personal water craft out of dry docks. As temperatures rise, more people begin flocking to the water to get a head start on summer fun. But as boats and watercraft of all shapes, sizes and speeds take to waterways around the country, the increased boating traffic can be especially hazardous for those not keeping safety in mind.
With the start of this year's boating season, there are plenty of simple things boaters can do to protect themselves, their passengers and their property. From following basic safety measures to re-evaluating their insurance coverage, boaters can enjoy a memorable and fun season while making it safe for everyone.
Boating safety starts with one of the easiest measures - simply wearing a life jacket, a practice Allstate has endorsed for years. In fact, earlier this year, the company was selected as a National Water Safety Congress Regional Award winner for Allstate Safety Weekends and life jacket giveaways at boating events.
Although the law requires boaters to carry Coast Guard approved life jackets on board their vessels, 90 percent of all boaters who drowned in 2006 were not wearing life jackets.
Allstate recommends all captains take the Allstate Safe Boaters Pledge this year. In addition to making the wearing of life jackets a rule, the pledge - approved by the U.S. Coast Guard and the National Safe Boating Council - recommends the following steps:
- Take a boating education course
- Don't mix drinking and boating
- Know the weather and water conditions
- File a boat plan, and give the information to a friend or relative who can call for help if your don't return as scheduled
- Observe the nautical rules-of-the-road, including speed limits
- Get a courtesy vessel safety check
- Report emergencies via channel 16 on a marine VHF-FM radio
- Don't discharge oil, trash or sewage in to the water
- Properly insure your boat and make sure it has sufficient coverage
For more information on boating safety, or boating other safety topics, give Shannon Harvey Allstate a call at 864-268-9580.
At least always have liability insurance and have adequate instruction for safe operation. No insurance coverage on the boat and you risk losing the boat....no liability insurance and you risk everything you own, or ever will.