Boating Safety

Boating is a great way to have fun with family and friends. However, boating can be dangerous if safety isn’t taken seriously. Every S.C. boat owner and operator should be familiar with “The Handbook of South Carolina Boating Laws and Responsibilities” and every passenger should be briefed on the importance of staying alert and following the rules while boating. 

Keep everyone safe on the water by learning and following these important boating and water sports rules (The Beginner’s Guide to Lake Safety).

• Understand watercraft navigational lighting after dark. While every state’s watercraft lighting rules may vary slightly, all states require watercraft (including boats, kayaks, canoes, etc.) to comply with certain lighting rules after dark. These lighting rules are generally in effect from dawn until dusk, and during periods of restricted visibility such as during fog or rain. Lighting requirements depend on the length of the watercraft but, generally speaking, powerboats are required to have sidelights, a masthead light and a stern light. Sailboats must have a sidelight and a stern light, and rowed or paddled boats must have a white light that can be displayed to avoid collision. Before heading out on the water, check the lighting requirements in your state.
• Be on the lookout for navigational hazards. When operating a boat, navigational hazards are not always what you expect them to be. While boating, stay on the lookout for, and give a wide berth to, piers, floating and shoreline docks, swim platforms, fixed platforms, boat lifts, mooring buoys, research related devices that may be floating in the water, regulatory markers and utility or irrigation piping. Doing so can help prevent a collision.
• Stay hydrated and protect yourself from the sun. On a hot summer’s day it is possible to lose up to a liter of water an hour through sweating and evaporation. Dehydration can lead to symptoms such as headaches, leg cramps and dizziness, and severe dehydration can be serious and lead to unconsciousness. While enjoying your time on the water, don’t forget to hydrate, even if you don’t feel thirsty. It’s also necessary to protect yourself from the sun by wearing sunscreen, sunglasses, a wide brimmed hat, and by taking breaks in the shade.
• Comply with all insurance rules, whether you own or rent your watercraft. Before operating a boat you must make sure that you are complying with all insurance requirements, whether you own the boat or are just renting it for the day. Generally speaking, boats and personal watercrafts are required to carry either owner’s or operator’s liability insurance, with some exemptions depending on the type and size of the watercraft. Insurance requirements vary state by state, so check the local rules before hitting the water to avoid any potential fines.
• Always wear a life jacket. It can be tempting to ditch the life jacket, especially if you feel confident in your abilities as a swimmer. But even when a life jacket isn’t required, it’s a good idea to wear one. Accidents on the water cannot always be predicted or prevented, and even strong swimmers may unexpectedly find themselves in a dangerous situation. 86% of people who drowned in a recreational boating accident were not wearing a life jacket. Federal regulations require that all children under 13 years of age wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved life jacket at all times while out on the water. Boats are also required to have U.S. Coast Guard approved life jackets for every person on board.
• Do not go out on the water alone. While alone time on the water can sound like the ultimate escape, one of the first rules of water safety is to never go out alone. Whether swimming, paddle boarding, kayaking, boating, or diving, bringing along a buddy can help ensure your safety should you find yourself injured. If you do choose to go out on the water alone, let people know where you are going and when you expect to return home.
• Know your hand signals when water skiing or tubing. Water skiing and tubing while being towed by a boat is a fun and popular lake activity. But before your boat speeds off into the open waters pulling a skier behind it, make sure that everyone understands hand signals so that those on the boat can communicate with those on the water. Hand signals allow non-verbal communication (such as “get me back in the boat,” “I’m okay,” and “I’m done”) and can allow the person on the water to tell the boater to go faster or slower, or turn left or right.
• Keep an eye on the weather. Everyone knows that a sunny summer day can quickly morph into an afternoon of thunderstorms in many regions across the country. It’s important to check the forecast before you hit the water, but even if that forecast is clear, continue to keep your eye on the skies. Thunderstorms can create dangerous wave and wind conditions, and a lightning strike to a vessel could be deadly. When it looks like thunderstorms may be developing, the responsible thing to do is to head back to shore.
• While boating assign someone to be the spotter. It’s easy to get caught up in the social side of boating and forget that your vessel shares the lake with a number of other vessels and swimmers. To ensure that someone is always keeping an eye on the water, assign someone on your boat to be the official “spotter.” The job of the spotter is to keep an eye out for other people on the water and to alert the captain of the boat to any approaching hazards.
• Know the rules of boating and take water safety or boating safety course. Sign the family up for a water safety course. This applies to boaters, jet skiers, kayakers and anyone that may find themselves in a situation that requires immediate response in an aquatic emergency. In accidents where the operator’s instruction was known, 70% of fatalities occurred on boats where the operator had not received any boating safety instruction. Taking a water safety course will ensure that everyone in your party is trained to respond should the unexpected happen while out on the lake.
• Boat Sober.  Never boat under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or medication. Alcohol impairs a person’s judgment , can reduce the ability to react quickly in emergencies, and is a leading contributing factor in fatal boating accidents. Passengers must also be alert and not impaired by alcohol in an emergency. Everyone should remain sober while boating to ensure that everyone stays safe while on the water.
• Bring Charged Communication Devices.  An enormous difference, when unforeseen situations happen, is having a charged communication device onboard. The ability to contact others/emergency officials when in distress is crucial.
• Avoid Risky Locations.  Visible signs/markers indicate the level of danger in certain areas to prevent boaters that are new to the area from venturing into such spots. A careful boater should be able to decipher the meaning of these signs and steer away from these areas.
• Take Extra Precautions With Children. Extra precautions should be taken when embarking on boating trips with children due to their curious and adventurous nature. Parents and guardians should communicate certain vital information to prevent accidents and drowning.
• Avoid Unnecessary Distractions. It takes a moment’s distraction for a boat to smash into a rock and capsize or a few seconds for children to disappear from view. More than one adult must be on a boating expedition when children are onboard.