| Here are a few hot tips when learning to sail that will | | | | VHF Radio is essential. |
| make your boating not only enjoyable, but safe too. | | | | 5. Chart out a Passage Plan Always inform people |
| 1. Be Wise to Read the Weather You must be wise | | | | about your passage plan and register it with the coast |
| enough to check the local weather before you depart | | | | guard or your local marina staff. Passage plan is the |
| for boating. Radio, TV, and coast guard forecasts are | | | | course of the route you will be taking and the number |
| sure source of information. If you notice, rough and | | | | of days you are intending to be out at sea. A typical |
| volatile changing winds, darkening clouds, or sudden dip | | | | passage plan consists of: Your name, your address, |
| of temperature, it is an indication for you to play safe | | | | your phone number, and the phone number of the trip |
| with the weather. Watch the barometer readings for | | | | leader. It must also have the phone number of the |
| sudden changes if you have one on board. | | | | passengers along with their other details and name. |
| 2. Adhere to the Pre-departure Checklist Being | | | | You must include the type of boat you are in the |
| prepared for any eventuality in the water is a way of | | | | registration information, the itinerary, the signal and |
| maintaining proper boating safety. From tips on fueling | | | | safety equipment in the boat and other types of |
| up to compliance with the fire safety regulations, | | | | communication means on board. Do not forget to |
| checking the pre-departure checklist is the best | | | | de-register your passage plan with the coast guard or |
| measure to be sure that no points regarding the | | | | marina staff on safe arrival at your destination. |
| safety are forgotten. | | | | 6. Make the Use of Lifejackets Most victims give up |
| 3. Apply Common Sense Using your common sense is | | | | their life in water because of the lack of proper |
| the most important part of boating safety. Always be | | | | knowledge of using the life jacket. Prior to departure, |
| alert of small watercraft and large vessels that can be | | | | try your life jacket on, as they are then adjusted |
| hindrance to your boat. You need to operate at a safe | | | | properly ready for use in case of an emergency. |
| speed always. Always be pay heed and respect the | | | | 7. Avoid Alcohol Safe boating also involves a sailing |
| navigational aids and buoys. These aids have been | | | | that is free from alcohol. When there is alcohol |
| placed there to ensure a safe passage. | | | | involved the chances of accidents double. The affect |
| 4. Make Sure You Have an Assistant Skipper When | | | | of alcohol exacerbate under the external factors such |
| you venture out to the water, it is ideal that you have | | | | as wind and sun. |
| one more person who is familiar with all aspects of the | | | | 8. Learn to Swim If your profession involves being in |
| boat. The assistant skipper must be familiar with the | | | | and around water, it is very necessary that you know |
| operations, handling and various safety tips. In case of | | | | how to swim. Many organizations offer you swimming |
| an injury to the primary navigator, a presence of an | | | | lessons for all ages of people. In case you do not |
| assistant skipper, he or she can safely navigate the | | | | know how to swim, take a lesson as early as possible. |
| boat to the shore. Instruction on the operating of the | | | | |