One of the busiest boating holidays will be here before we know it - 4th of July. There's no better time to take a boat out on the water than Independence Day. Summer is in full swing so the weather is beautiful and most people are off work and school so the whole family can enjoy a day on the water. It's the perfect way to cap off your long weekend.
With the increase in boats on the water, and people celebrating, boating safety is that much more important. Independence Day, Memorial Day, and Labor Day often account for more than one-third of annual boating accidents and fatalities. So with that in mind, here are some tips that will allow you to stay safe when taking the boat out this holiday weekend.
No matter how much experience you have, it's always a good idea to review boating safety rules before you go out boating. Here are some basic boating safety tips to help you stay safe:
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Be Weather-Wise Always check local weather
conditions before departure; TV and radio forecasts can be a good source of information. If you notice darkening clouds, rough changing winds or sudden drops in temperature, play it safe by getting off the water.
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Follow a Pre-Departure Checklist Proper boating safety includes being prepared for any possibility on the water. Following a pre-departure
checklist is the best way to make sure no boating safety rules or precautions have been overlooked or forgotten.
Develop a Float Plan: Whether you choose to inform a family member or staff at your local marina, always be sure to let someone else know your float plan. This should include
WHO you're with, including name(s) and phone number(s) of all passengers
WHAT you're boating on - boat type and registration information
WHEN how long you're going to be gone
WHERE you're going / trip itinerary
HOW to get in touch with you - types of communication and signal equipment onboard, such as an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) or Personal Locator Beacon (PLB)
Make Proper Use of Lifejackets Did you know that the majority of drowning victims are the result of boaters not wearing their lifejackets? Make sure that your family and friends aren't part of this statistic by assigning and fitting each member of your onboard team with a life jacket prior to departure. Children under 12 are REQUIRED to wear them at all times. Wear it!
Avoid Alcohol Practice boating safety at all times by saving the alcohol for later. The probability of being involved in a boating accident doubles when alcohol is involved and studies have shown that the
effects of alcohol are exacerbated by the sun and wind.
Learn to Swim If you're going to be in and around the water, proper boating safety includes knowing how to swim.
Leave your Pooch at Home! More dogs are lost on the 4th of July than on any other day of the year. Make sure they have their license tags on their collars, just in case. And leave them safe at
home.
Get a Free USCG Vessel Safety Check Take advantage of a free vessel safety check from the US Coast Guard. They offer complimentary boat examinations to verify the presence and condition of certain safety equipment required by state and federal regulations. They will provide a specialist to check out your boat and make helpful boating safety tips and recommendations.
Use Common Sense One of the most important parts of boating safety is to use your common sense. This means operating at a safe speed at all times (especially in crowded areas), staying alert at all times and
steering clear of large vessels and watercraft that can be restricted in their ability to stop or turn. Also, be respectful of buoys and other navigational aids, all of which have been placed there to ensure your own safety.
If the primary navigator is injured or incapacitated in any way, it's important to make sure someone else can follow the proper boating safety rules to get everyone else back to shore.
Take a Boating Safety Course - which is REQUIRED in NJ. Beginning boaters and experienced experts alike need to be familiar with the boating safety rules of operation. Boater education requirements vary by state; however, some require validated completion of at least one boating safety course.
For more information and for Boating Safety classes, as well as the online course and proctored exam, that are NJ State Police Approved and NASBLA Certified, go to www.BoatSafeUS.com. Our instructors will provide you with a fun-filled and educational look at Boat Safety in New Jersey.
All of our instructors at Boat Safe US, LLC are certified and approved to
instruct by the NJ State Police Marine Division and our course is
approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA).
Take the class, pass the exam - Be on the water for 4th of July!
CLASSES:
Parsippany Monday, June 19, 2023 & Wednesday, June 21, 2023
Point Pleasant Beach Monday, June 19, 2023 & Tuesday, June 20, 2023
Keyport Tuesday, June 20, 2023 & Thursday, June 22, 2023
Mays Landing Tuesday, June 20, 2023 & Thursday, June 22, 2023
Waretown Tuesday, June 20, 2023 & Thursday, June 22, 2023
Manville Thursday, June 22, 2023 & Friday, June 23, 2023
Bordentown Saturday, June 24, 2023
Keyport Saturday, June 24, 2023
Toms River Saturday, June 24, 2023
Beach Haven Sunday, June 25, 2023
Clifton Monday, June 26, 2023 & Wednesday, June 28, 2023
Scotch Plains Monday, June 26, 2023 & Wednesday, June 28, 2023
Turnersville Monday, June 26, 2023 & Wednesday, June 28, 2023
Atlantic Highlands Tuesday, June 27, 2023 & Thursday, June 29, 2023
Mays Landing Tuesday, June 27, 2023 & Thursday, June 29, 2023
Parsippany Tuesday, June 27, 2023 & Thursday, June 29, 2023
Toms River Tuesday, June 27, 2023 & Thursday, June 29, 2023
Waretown Tuesday, June 27, 2023 & Thursday, June 29, 2023
Toms River Saturday, July 1, 2023
Parsippany Sunday, July 2, 2023
Sewell Wednesday, July 5, 2023 & Friday, July 7, 2023
Flemington Thursday, July 6, 2023 & Friday, July 7, 2023
EXAMS:
Mount Laurel Monday, June 19, 2023
Parsippany Monday, June 19, 2023
Toms River Monday, June 19, 2023
Flemington Tuesday, June 20, 2023
Point Pleasant Beach Tuesday, June 20, 2023
Mount Laurel Wednesday, June 21, 2023
Parsippany Wednesday, June 21, 2023
Keyport Thursday, June 22, 2023
Manville Thursday, June 22, 2023
Mays Landing Thursday, June 22, 2023
Waretown Thursday, June 22, 2023
Manville Friday, June 23, 2023
Atlantic Highlands Saturday, June 24, 2023
Bordentown Saturday, June 24, 2023
Keyport Saturday, June 24, 2023
Keyport Saturday, June 24, 2023
Toms River Saturday, June 24, 2023
Toms River Saturday, June 24, 2023
Woodbridge Saturday, June 24, 2023
Beach Haven Sunday, June 25, 2023
Beach Haven Sunday, June 25, 2023
Toms River Sunday, June 25, 2023
Clifton Monday, June 26, 2023
Scotch Plains Monday, June 26, 2023
Turnersville Monday, June 26, 2023
Parsippany Tuesday, June 27, 2023
Somers Point Tuesday, June 27, 2023
Toms River Tuesday, June 27, 2023
Waretown Tuesday, June 27, 2023
Clifton Wednesday, June 28, 2023
Scotch Plains Wednesday, June 28, 2023
Turnersville Wednesday, June 28, 2023
Atlantic Highlands Thursday, June 29, 2023
Mays Landing Thursday, June 29, 2023
Parsippany Thursday, June 29, 2023
Toms River Thursday, June 29, 2023
Toms River Thursday, June 29, 2023
Waretown Thursday, June 29, 2023
Waretown Thursday, June 29, 2023
Woodbridge Friday, June 30, 2023
Woodbridge Friday, June 30, 2023
Atlantic Highlands Saturday, July 1, 2023
Bordentown Saturday, July 1, 2023
Manville Saturday, July 1, 2023
Parsippany Saturday, July 1, 2023
Toms River Saturday, July 1, 2023
Toms River Saturday, July 1, 2023
Beach Haven Sunday, July 2, 2023
Parsippany Sunday, July 2, 2023
Parsippany Sunday, July 2, 2023
Toms River Sunday, July 2, 2023
Toms River Monday, July 3, 2023
Sewell Wednesday, July 5, 2023
Flemington Thursday, July 6, 2023
Waretown Thursday, July 6, 2023
Flemington Friday, July 7, 2023
Sewell Friday, July 7, 2023
