Night Boating Safety

[SkiSafe]

We think this is a great topic to discuss before 4th of July weekend. Here are the safety tips we have come up. Feel free to add on in the comments section.

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WHAT TO BRING

Safety Equipment

As required by the U.S. Coast Guard for any boating trip, there are many pieces of gear necessary to ensure safety on the vessel. Some of these items include flotation devices, fire extinguishers, flares, signaling devices, and more. You'll need an anchor light, working navigation lights, flares, and a strobe specifically for night boating. We recommend keeping a few extra glow sticks and flash lights on board for your night trip.

Navigational Lights and Devices

Navigation lights make you visible to other boaters while also allowing you to see and identify boats and other objects on the water. USCG regulations deem these mandatory for all vessels. Navigation lights help you determine the type of vessel, size of the vessel, if the vessel is towing anything, and what direction the vessel is moving.

In addition, keep a chartplotter or marine GPS on board to help with navigation.

Clothes

Even during the heat of summer, temperatures may drop significantly once the sun goes down. The weather will most likely be chilly and windy. You should wear warm clothes and layer them. Sweaters, fleeces, windbreakers, and long pants are all great options.

Communication Devices

Bring your cell phone in case you need to get in touch with someone. There may very well be no service out on the water, which is why it is important to have a VHF radio and extra batteries as well.

Anchor

It would be helpful to have a heavier anchor for night boating. If you do not have anyone on watch and plan to stay anchored through the night, it is a good idea to opt for extra security. You should use an anchor at least one size larger than what is recommended for your boat to guard against drifting.

Location is a very important factor if you are anchoring. You'll want to pick an area that is small and protected (no open waters). Staying closer to shore is a safe option, as weather conditions can change drastically in a short amount of time.

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FAQS

Q: Should I do anything ahead of time?

A: You should go to your planned spot prior to your overnight launch. Practice dropping the anchor and check for any abnormal conditions.

Q: Can I go night swimming?

A: Swimming off your craft during the nighttime is not the best idea. Currents may cause you to drift from the boat, and furthermore, locating someone in the water is increasingly more difficult at night. If you are completely set on getting in the water, tie a rope around a floatation device and secure it to the boat.

Q: Should I use a white anchor light?

A: Yes. No matter the size of your craft, a white anchor light adds an extra layer of security and safety.

Q: How much experience does night boating require?

A: You don't need to be a highly-experienced boater to do a night trip, however, you should be up-to-date and familiar with all basic safety rules, regulations, and anchoring tactics.

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[Paxdad]

Highly recommend that all aboard wear a life preserver while under power. Trying to locate persons in the water after a collision is very difficult and if they are unconscious from the event are dead and sinking.


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[functionoverfashion]

I have two things to add:

1. Docking lights are for DOCKING ONLY. So many boats now have docking lights, and people just get in the driver's seat and hit all the buttons that say "lights" - or maybe they think it's helpful for them to see buoys. But it blinds oncoming boats, like leaving your high beams on, but worse. So, do other boaters a favor and leave your docking lights OFF until you're actually docking. I wish I could transmit this message to all the pontoon boats on my lake.

2. For your own ability to see, it can be helpful to dim or cover your dash, especially ones with a bright screen. Yes, you should monitor your gauges to some extent, but I find that once my eyes adjust, I can usually see my gauges fine with the backlighting off. And I suspect boats whose gauges are entirely in a screen somewhere, for one, you're not checking things like your temp or oil pressure very often, and two, I'm sure there would be a warning sound if something were to be out of spec. Again, I'm not saying you should black out the entire dash all the time, but reducing the light in your face can be really helpful for forward visibility. Even in my '03 you can turn off the gauge lights by pressing the down button on the tach (or speedometer, can't remember which).