The feeling of hitting the lake on a sunny summer afternoon is what we wait for each offseason, but it is important to match that excitement with ensuring we stay safe. With National Safe Boating Week landing from May 17th to the 23rd this year, our team wanted to highlight some practices that can keep you and your family safe on the water this summer!
1. Wear a Properly Fitting Life Jacket
We all know life jackets are extremely important while out on the boat! With that being said, wearing a PROPERLY FITTING life jacket is just as important as wearing it at all. Having your life jacket snuggly fitting and clipped in properly is a major key to safe boating, whether you’re driving or just along for the ride.
If you want to raise awareness on the importance of life jackets, join us by taking part in Wear Your Life Jacket at Work Day on Friday, May 16, 2025!
2. Make Sure the Weather is Ideal
When we wake up on a Saturday morning in July and all you see is a clear, blue sky, it is easy to believe that it is perfect boating weather for the day, but that isn’t always the case. In the summer, isolated storms can quickly pass through your area without you knowing they are coming. You can avoid this by making sure you check the forecast for your desired water times and ensure you will have a beautiful, clear day! If you find yourself caught in a storm, reducing your speed and closing all hatches and ports will keep you safe as you proceed to the shore.
3. Know the Capacity Limit on your Boat
It is easy to count the number of seats on your boat and assume that it is the max passenger capacity, but knowing the max weight capacity is just as important. We fully relate to going out on the pontoon with friends, music playing, snacks going around, but make sure you are paying attention to your capacity limits. If you go over capacity, it can make steering and staying level in the water difficult.
4. Keep a First Aid/Safety Kit Stocked
From minor inconveniences, such as small cuts, to any major safety hazard that is possible, it is a must to be prepared for anything. Some examples of items you should keep stocked up on the boat include the following:
- Band-aids
- Antiseptic wipes
- Water
- Sunscreen
- Pain relievers
- Bug Bite/Rash cream
- Latex gloves
- Flashlight
- Throwable floatation device
- Fire extinguisher
- Air horn
- Visual distress signal
- Flares
- Life preservers
5. Be Aware of Your Surroundings
While this sounds like pretty general advice, it stretches to many different areas of importance. Watching for other watercrafts, or swimmers, is extremely important. If you are boating in a body of water new to you, make sure you are aware of the correct paths and speed limits. When docking, pay close attention to ensure you have a clear direction to land. Lastly, from the Alpin Haus Boat team to you; be aware and enjoy the great times out on the water this season!
