HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) — With warm days coming, it’s only natural for people to want to take their boats out for a spin. However, before you do, here are some tips to stay safe while on the water.
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency has provided a checklist of required boat equipment. Here are some key points from that list:
- Navigational Lights
- Personal Flotation Devices (PFD)
- Child Life Jacket (Wearable PFD) Requirement
- Wearable Inflatable Life Jackets
- PFD Stowage
- Fire Extinguishers
- Flame Arrestor
- Emergency Cut-off Switch
- Sound Device
- Visual Distress Signals (Flares)
- Pyrotechnic Devices
- Non-Pyrotechnic Devices
- Diver’s Flag
To see the full checklist and learn more about the ones mentioned above, click here.
Out of all of these, Senior Trooper Kevin Hawkins said the number one thing to remember is life jackets. Hawkins said it’s also a good idea to let someone know what your plan is before you head out.
“Let somebody know what lake you’re gonna be going out to, what time you’ll be back. So we have a better idea of if we get a call of an unreturned boater where they were at or who they were with,” Hawkins said.
Hawkins also said that boat operators must keep to the right when passing other boats, pay attention to no-wake zones and drive at a reasonable speed.
Senior Trooper James Young said if you are stopped by the marine patrol, be prepared to show them your safety items.
“We check for life jackets for every person on board. If you’re over the age of eight, we don’t ask that you wear it, but we do ask to see it. What we like to do is have everyone on board hold up a life jacket in their size,” Young said.
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