4 Safety Tips to Keep Your Fun Afloat While on the Boat

We are kicking off summer here in the Great Lakes State, which means we still have plenty of time to enjoy all the outdoor activities our beautiful state has to offer! While you are soaking up the sun, we thought we would bring you some friendly reminders about staying safe on the water.

Many Michiganders enjoy water skiing, tubing, jet skiing, fishing, or just relaxing on the boat during the summer months. While these pastimes offer a wave of excitement, they also have some dangers. Before you go all “here comes the fun police” on us, give us a break. We’re an insurance blog; we have to talk about safety.

Here are 4 safety tips to remember while boating:

1. Wear a life jacket. We know it can be uncomfortable, and don’t even get us started on the tan lines, but seriously, it’s important... and it’s the law to have one available for each person on-board.
2. Always tell someone remaining on land where you are going. Should you not return, or if an accident occurs, someone on land needs to have some general information about your whereabouts.
3. Stay Alert. There are a lot of other people out on the water doing exactly what you are doing, and with that comes a lot of boat traffic. Watercrafts going at a high rate of speed can be zooming all around you.
4. Don’t drink and boat. We know fun days on the water can lead to people having a few too many drinks, but the same rule applies as if you were on land – always have a designated driver.

While this list is definitely not a complete collection of all the safety measures you should be taking, it certainly highlights some really good initial measures you can take. If you are a frequent boater, we also highly recommend taking a boater's safety class; the more you know, the better!

With that, we will conclude this blog. Remember to have fun, be safe, and wear sunscreen (it helps with the tan lines).

BONUS INFO: If you have recently purchased a new watercraft, you should #tellyouragent.  It would be a shame if something were to happen just to find out you’re not covered!

Have any questions about what you just read? Please contact your Independent Insurance Agent or email us at socialmedia@psmic.com!