Specific yacht safety guidelines exist if you plan to take your boat into California waters. Without vigilance and proper safety training, you face damage to your boat, serious injury, and even death. Learning about and adhering to yacht safety guidelines reduces these risks.
Ensure Everyone Knows the Yacht Safety Guidelines
Everyone on your boat should know the basics of California yacht safety. Ideally, passengers should take a boating safety course, which teaches how to handle an emergency, safely operate a yacht, and navigate storms.
This information helps passengers avoid putting themselves in dangerous situations. It also ensures they can assist the captain in emergencies. Ultimately, if only one person knows the safety protocol and that person suffers an injury, the situation becomes more hazardous for everyone.
Have Proper Safety Gear
If you’re a newcomer to the Golden State, you may wonder what to know about California waterways before taking your yacht out. First, the state requires vessels to carry specific safety equipment. Some of this equipment includes navigation lights and life jackets. You should also carry visual distress signals, sound signaling devices, and fire extinguishers. A ventilation system, muffling system, and backfire flame arrestor are essential to carry. Also, an anchor and chain are good to have. It would be wise to carry a first aid and tool kit, paddles, and oars. Moreover, a VHF radio, water, and extra fuel are suitable to carry.
Check the Forecast
According to yacht safety guidelines, you should always check the weather forecast during your outing. The elements can turn on a dime, so don’t rely on yesterday’s forecast or the appearance of blue skies.
Once on the water, you should remain vigilant and return to shore at the first sign of a storm. Use your VHF radio to stay up-to-date on the latest developments.
Purchase a Yacht Insurance Policy
A yacht insurance policy provides support after the worst occurs. Coverage includes personal property damage, passenger property damage, and bodily injury.
An insurance payout ensures you don’t have to pay out of pocket for repairs, replacement, and medical expenses. It also covers court costs if a passenger or involved third party sue for their injuries or property damage.
You should also consider yacht club insurance if you own a yacht club. This type of policy extends to any contests or programs your organization offers and the associated directors, officers, and volunteers.
Inspect Boat According to Yacht Safety Guidelines
Boats require regular maintenance, as exposure to water, salt, and fluctuating temperatures can exasperate wear and tear. You should always complete the following checklist before sailing:
- Inspect for missing hardware
- Look for cracks in the hull
- Check for the smell of gas
- Inspect the wiring
- Check the dipstick
If you notice anything off, you must repair it before heading out to sea. Even minor issues can turn deadly when on the open water. While rescheduling an outing is inconvenient, safety is essential. As the captain or owner, you have a responsibility to adhere to yacht safety guidelines, and though insurance may pay for a wrongful death suit, nothing will bring back a life lost.
About Mariners Insurance
Mariners General Insurance Group was founded in 1959 to protect boat owners and marine business clients. We are marine insurance experts and insure boats worldwide – in every ocean on the planet. Marine insurance is critical if you own a boat or nautical business. Trust the professionals with all of your Boat Insurance needs – trust Mariners Insurance. Call us at (888) 402-5018 any time you have questions or concerns about insurance for your vessel or marine business.
