Taking the boat out on the water is always a special occasion, but it becomes even more exciting when racing is involved. The thrill of racing on the water at high speeds is something that simply cannot be topped. While extra safety precautions are always taken before an important race, it is still a great idea to keep the boat stocked with some essential items. These are the four pieces of safety equipment that everyone must need on their boat before starting a race.
Emergency Kit
Just about anything can go wrong when racing boats at high speeds, so it is best to be prepared by keeping a fully-stocked emergency kit handy. This kit will help out if you experience engine problems or get into an accident on the water. You can purchase an emergency kit online, or create one yourself. A few items that absolutely need to be included in the emergency kit are a strong boat whistle, radio and flashlight. You should include medical supplies, such as bandaids, gauze, a disinfectant, and more. Your kit should include repair tools for your boat, such as screwdrivers, wrenches, too. You never know when you’ll need to make some adjustments when you’re out on the water. It’s always best to be prepared!
Powerful Flares
The items in the emergency kit will help your distressed boat get found in the daylight, but it will be hard to find you at night without using powerful emergency flares. Distress flares put off an extremely bright light that can be seen for miles. Since they are only used in emergency situations, the sight of a flare will immediately bring help your way. Some of the top boat flares can last more than three days.
Life Jackets
It may be tempting to only stock the boat with life jackets when taking novice swimmers and children out for a ride, but this is a big mistake. A boat should never be taken on the water without the proper amount of life jackets. They will be very useful if someone ever gets ejected from the boat. Instead of wasting energy while struggling to stay afloat in the deep water, the life jackets will make floating a breeze. Make sure you check your life jackets every so often, too. They should be in good condition and not have any tears. You don’t want to be caught in a rough spot and be without safe life jackets.
Fire Extinguisher
Boats are filled with machinery and electrical parts that can catch fire at any time. Hitting top speeds during a race puts even more pressure on these important components than normal boating. Few things will take down a boat faster than an engine fire, so it is vitally important to always have a fire extinguisher. It will let you put out the fire before too much damage occurs. Don’t forget that fire extinguishers have expiration dates. Your extinguisher should always be up-to-date to ensure your safety.
No matter whether it’s your first time out on the water or you’ve been racing for decades, the proper safety equipment is crucial. At the bare minimum, your safety kit should include an emergency kit, flares, life jackets for everyone on board, and a fire extinguisher. You should also consult your local racing group or an online site for more information and suggestions as to what you should include.