New Year’s eve. The last day of the year, the time to reflect on everything that has happened over the course of the past twelve months. Whether it’s spending time with friends or significant others, or even family, they all can make for a decent way to ring in the new year. That said,
Here Are Some Safety Precautions Every Boater Should Take Before Leaving Port This Holiday Season:
1. Alcohol
First and foremost, alcohol. Alcohol poses a major threat to everyone who boats; although it is legal to drink and operate a boat in most places, it is illegal to be drunk while doing the same. The definition of “drunk” varies from state to state.
Some states define being intoxicated as a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) equal to or greater than .08%, whereas other states only require boaters to keep their BAC at less than.04% if they have been drinking.
If you are caught with your BAC above the legal limit, make sure to give Sitkoff & Hanrahan, LLP a call for expert help and expect hefty fines and possible jail time depending on local laws.
2. Pulling An All Nighter
Staying awake throughout the night has its own risks that could endanger not just yourself but others around you as well. For example, falling asleep behind the wheel while driving can lead to disastrous results, and the same principle applies to boating as well.
Boats can run into many different objects at high speeds, especially if you’re drunk and not paying attention to everything around you. So don’t let yourself fall asleep while operating a boat on new years eve.
3. Fellow Boaters
The third is about other boaters because it’s likely they’ll be under similar circumstances as you are this holiday season. If boaters around you seem like they’re intoxicated or impaired in some way, try to stay away from them as best as possible (remember what happens when people drink and drive cars? They could end up crashing into your boat)
4. Save Your Life With A Jacket
And lastly is staying safe once the new year comes, and that means making sure you don’t fall overboard while intoxicated. This is tough for boaters because many of them are under the influence during their celebrations, but you should still try your hardest not to go overboard.
The best way to do this is by always wearing a life jacket anytime you are near your boat. Not only will it help save you in the event that tragedy falls upon you. Life Jackets aren’t just for kids! As adults, they sometimes like to think they know everything there is to know about boating. The unfortunate truth? Most accidents happen because people don’t take certain safety precautions seriously.
When faced with difficult weather conditions, it can be easy to forget the importance of staying safe while having fun – However, it’s crucial to keep a few things in mind. The first one is: If you don’t have a life jacket, get off the boat.
In Conclusion
The best way to stay safe and avoid tragedies this holiday season is to watch out for everyone else in addition to yourself, because although you might think your life is more important than others, it’s not. So make smart decisions, and you will be just fine during the next few days!
