Boating Safety & Equipment Before taking your family & friends out on the water. Always make sure you have up to date required safety equipment. Life Jackets – A large percent of fatal boating accident victims drowned were not wearing a life jacket, most who drowned were on vessels less than 21 feet or 6.50m. Lifejackets are a vital piece of safety equipment that could save your life and the life of your family members & friends. Make sure you have the right size Life Jackets for everyone on board including your four-legged companions. Cold water accelerates the onset and progression of hypothermia since body heat can be lost 25 times faster in cold water than in cold air. It is a lot harder to put a lifejacket on in the water during an emergency, the best idea is to make sure you and your crew wear one. Stay in control by taking charge of your safety and that of your passengers never forget that safety begins with you the skipper. New boaters and experienced experts alike need to be familiar with the boating rules of the road. Boating safety courses are offered locally, inexpensive and often completed in a day so if you are venturing offshore for the first time it is best to take a boating course. Bill Corten Bar Crossing courses (07) 3286 3647. It is compulsory to wear a lifejacket, when crossing a designated coastal bar in an open boat less than 4.8m in length. WATSONS MARINE 07 5482 2135 READ MORE...