Introduction: After reading through this, you’ll might think that the odds are stacked against you and your boat ever being safe.  In reality, it takes two things for an tragic episode to occur: 1) a design flaw in your boat or it’s systems and 2) an owner / captain who doesn’t know the boat well enough to prevent problems from occurring or unable to deal with them well when they happen.  It’s also important to note that sometimes gear just plain fails.  This explains why you should be in the habit of looking your boat over on a regular basis since things like float switches are notorious for failing without warning.

YOU… the American boater
Fact 1: 65% of all boat owners have yet to take a safe boating course despite all the benefits not the least of which is discounted insurance premiums.
Fact 2: An estimated 15% of all sailors get their initial boating skills in a structured hands-on teaching environment while the rest from family members and friends or trial and error experiences.
Fact 3: To many boaters, the perception of a vessel’s seaworthiness and value is largely based on things they can easily see.  Unfortunately, a modern boat can be a very sophisticated vessel which often requires a through marine survey to discover its true condition & outstanding safety concerns.
Fact 4: While some states require or atleast encourage the attendance of a safe boating course, no license is currently required to operate a recreation boat in America.  This is not the case in Europe where legal requirements are often much more stringent.
Fact 5: A common mistake many first-time boat owners make is to spend all their money on their boat purchase and have nothing left for routine maintenance.
Fact 6: Among novices, docking is thought to be the toughest of challenges.  More seasoned sailors know that equipment breakdowns and other heightened situations rank much higher.
Fact 7: Nearly 800 people drown in 2003.

SUMMARY: The majority of boaters have only been “educated” by others that may or may not completely know what they are doing in the first place.  As in life, many people value only on what they can see in a causal look.  A beautiful newer boat can leave you stuck just as much as a “fixer-upper” if a simple problem arises and that you can’t fix it.  Running out of fuel is a classic example.  Except in a commercial setting, you don’t need a driver’s license to operate a boat.  This means any yahoo with enough cash or connections can be driving a boat that could potentially cause harm to yours.  While there is a ground swell to institute mandatory safe boating courses in many states it is very important to ALWAYS KEEP A FOCUSED LOOK OUT!

Boats can be expensive to maintain and yet maintenance is necessary to keep things trouble-free and safe.  The safeguards that you follow (when upgrading and maintaining your boat) can affect any boat that you come near.  Always hire a professional who understands these standards if you are unaware or incapable of working within these guidelines yourself.  How you handle your boat and your crew in rough conditions shows the true nature of your boat, seamanship and leadership abilities.  There is nowhere to hide in situations such as a broken rudder near a breakwater or a flooding boat with a failed bilge pump.  You either have the spare parts, skills and leadership to handle the situation or you don’t.  Get to know your boat and your tools or soon “road side maintenance work” will get the best of you.  Find the time to take a safe boating class because “the other guy” with the bad skills you’re watching out for might be you.

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