Pontoon Boat Safety Tips

Pontoon Boat SAFETY TIPS Always have life jackets or some sort of flotation device onboard Above 80 % of people who die in boating accidents are drowning victims Know the capacity of your boat so you don't overload your vessel and sink ? Don't drink and boat, just like on the streets, driving under the influence on the water is illegal In California alone, collisions with other water vehicles account for more than 50% of boating accidents Make sure not to keep any valuable items (electronics, wallets, keys, fishing gear, boat gear) out and visible so thieves can easily access your valuable possessions Make sure your passengers are seated and wearing proper safety gear before taking off Use an anchor when you want your boat to remain stationary Keep an eye out for weather changes, knowing how to manage your vessel in heavy wind or other intense circumstance * is always a smart choice. Do your research! According to the Boating Accident Report Database (BARD) for . 2013, the major contributing factors to fatal accidents were: BEER BEER Excessive speed: 319 accidents, 19 deaths Alcohol use: 236 accidents, 75 deaths Improper lookout: 396 accidents, 19 deaths Navigation rules violations: 208 accidents, 15 deaths http://www.dbw.ca.gov/BoaterInfo/LifeJacketInfo.aspx#changes http://www.dbw.ca.gov/Pubs/Alcohol/ba.pdf https://www.boat-ed.com/pennsylvania/studyGuide/Calculating-Capacity-and-the-Capacity-Plate/101039_101039022) http://www.acegroup.com/us-en/assets/theft-prevention.pdf http://www.boatingmag.com/boatingsafety/rough-water-boating-tips http://www.brazos.org/generalPdf/8AZ58_Party_Barge_Safety.pdf http://www.boatingmag.com/how-to/must-know-anchoring-tips http://www.erh.noaa.gov/box/boating.htm) http://fishing-about.com/tips-for-keeping-your-pontoon-boat-safe-and-shipshape/ http://dbw.ca.gov/Reports/BSRS/2013/2013_AccidentStats_CA_05_08_2014.pdf http://www.uscgboating.org/library/accident-statistics/2013ReportRevised.pdf Manitou