Spring Boating Safety Awareness Check

 By: Craig Beachler, Norton Yachts Service Manager

Do You Know?

 1.  Is your emergency flare kit up to date? Has anyone onboard practiced the proper use of the type of emergency signals available on your boat?

 2.  Are your fire extinguishers fully charged and each onboard location known by all passengers onboard?  Do passengers know proper firefighting procedures for different classes of fires?

 3.  Is someone other than skipper onboard capable of deploying man overboard rescue equipment should the skipper fall overboard?  Have skipper and crew practiced man overboard recovery drills recently?

 4.  Can the onboard crew properly operate the VHF to call for emergency help should the skipper not be recovered from a fall overboard?

 5.  Is the onboard first aid kit up to date?

 6.  Is the skipper and/or crew knowledgeable of basic first aid? What about CPR  qualifications?

  These are but a few of the safety questions that every boat owner/operator should be able to answer YES prior to getting underway for a day on the water.  If you have answered UNKNOWN or NO to any of the above, Norton Yachts Service Department can help you with emergency equipment repairs or questions.  Norton Yachts also has an ASA Sailing School for beginning through advanced sailing.  I have also given you many good reasons to use your boat to practice your skills and crew safety drills.  Let’s get out there and do it!  It only costs pennies in diesel to reach open water and the wind is free!