By Will Schmidt
There’s been a troubling trend that I’m hearing while out on my boat. The Coast Guard broadcasting an unmanned vessel alert. This potentially deadly scenario seems to be happening now on a regular basis, and a few precautions can take this from a life-or-death situation to an easily survivable event. With the summer boating season soon to be underway, now is a great time to revisit some basic safety protocols.
Perhaps the two biggest safety items on a boat are often the most overlooked and underused pieces of equipment. First, life jackets. Gone are the days of the bulky bright orange life jackets that are uncomfortable and impeding. The new self-inflating styles are both comfortable and unencumbering. These are far more user friendly and yet many resist. The truth is the self-inflating vest or hip pack versions are comfortable and don’t restrict you in any way. Should you fall overboard they can truly be life savers.
The second most underused item is your kill switch. Even though they are mandated on vessels 26 feet or less while on a plane, most people still don’t use them. The biggest complaint with these is that they tether you to the helm. However, as your boats have gotten smarter, so has the kill switch. There are products like the Fell Marine 1st Mate system which wirelessly protect the users. This genius device uses geo fencing to define your boat’s area and activates the system should the small wearable fob cross the boundary. By allowing movement around the boat untethered there is no excuse at all for not utilizing the kill switch, even while not on plane. Should the captain fall overboard the engine(s) stop and if the system is not reset in a definable amount of time it will send messages for help. This is great for solo fishing where an errant wave can be disastrous. As a bonus it can also be set up as an anti-theft device.
Another lesser used device is your fire extinguisher. One of the most terrifying events that can happen on a boat is fire. If that should occur, every second counts. Having your fire extinguisher close at hand is a must, and finding an out-of-the-way spot to mount this gear is essential. There are many mounts available, and being prepared for this type of emergency is the smart thing to do.
Clearly there are many other required pieces of equipment as well as suggested items. From flares to first aid kits, no one wants to use them, but when they are needed, they are crucial. Before heading out, make sure everyone knows where all these items are stored. Time can be of the essence in an emergency and having the crew waste valuable time searching for safety items could make all the difference in the world.
Will Schmidt is a seasoned tournament angler who has been writing about fishing for more than two decades. Follow Will on Instagram @saltynstrong.