Ahoy! Safe Sailing for Memorial Day!

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For those that are thinking of setting sail for the holiday weekend, remembering the rules of boating safety can ensure a fun & memorable holiday for everyone. You can keep your holiday excursion filled with excitement by making safety a priority and incorporating it into your regular boating routine. Experts from the National Safe Boating Council suggest practicing these 5 guidelines when out on the water: 

  1. Always wear your life jacket from the time you step onto the boat until the time you arrive back on land.
  2. Make sure you file a float plan with a responsible adult so they know where you are going and when you should return.
  3. Study and know the rules of the road so you are aware of which boat has the right of way.
  4. Keep a good look out for other boats. Even if you know the rules others may not, so you have to operate defensively.
  5. Always operate at a safe speed, at a safe distance from the shore and other boats, and in a responsible manner.

For more tips & safety guidelines, visit the National Safe Boating Council’s website!

The long Memorial Day weekend means there’s lots of time to get out, get active, and have some fun during the traditional start to the summer. This year, we encourage you to be a smart Skipper! Have fun out on the water, and don’t forget your sunscreen!

 

Looking for more resources? Check out these great sites:

BoatSafeKids.com: Get summer safety tips, great learning activities & experience all things nautical. This site teaches kids about personal flotation devices, distress signals, storm warnings, and many other aspects of boating safety. Find answers to questions, how to’s, boating checklists, life jacket tic-tac-toe & more!

The U.S. Coast Guard: If you aren’t able to teach safety hands on, there are lots of other ways you can teach your kids about safe fun in the water. Find coloring books and activity books to teach kids about water safety.