Minnesota Boating Safety Tips to Protect Your Family

Posted by chris jenkin on November 26th, 2021

Minnesota, being a land of nearly 10,000 lakes, is a common tourist place for fishing and boating. Most tourists spend their entire vacation fishing and boating in Minnesota. Most of the resorts present in Minnesota are on the lake side and offer boating and fishing adventures for its guests there. 

Common Boating Accidents 

As much as we don’t want to think about it, accidents do happen. It is always better to be prepared and take care to avoid accidents that can occur while boating. Some of the common boating accidents include

• Explosion or fire onboard

• Sinking, flooding, or sinking of the boat

• Passengers falling or slipping overboard or on the board

• Insufficient  safety equipment

Safety Tips to Protect Your Family While Boating in Minnesota

However, as much as fishing and boating is fun, it is important to be cautious while doing so. With so many lakes around, accidents are bound to happen. It is crucial to be safe and accidents can be avoided by taking the right precautions for you and your family. While boating with your family in Minnesota, keep the following tips in mind.

1} Always wear a life jacket

Most of us underestimate the importance of life jackets. Although they can be comfortable at times, it can really save our lives if any untoward incidents happen. Wearing a life jacket is the most important safety tip while you go around boating in Minnesota. Always wear a life jacket and ensure that your family also wears theirs.

2} Do not mix boating and drinking

Never mix boating and boozing as it is the most dangerous combination. Although it is tempting to open a few bottles during your boating ride on the lakes, it can completely compromise the safety of you and your family. Also, if you are above the permissible limit of alcohol intake you can get a jail time or pay a hefty fine for Boating while intoxicated (BWI). If you want to keep you and your family safe while boating, avoid drinking.

3} Never let go of the steering

Most of the boating accidents happen when the boater lets go of the steering for a minute or two. This causes a torque that slams on the left and throws the passengers off the board. The worst part the boat circles around and continues to hit whoever was thrown into the water causing deeper propeller wounds. The simple thumb rule to always remember while boating is to never let go of the steering.

4} Always check weather conditions

Storms in Minnesota can blow up quickly and get devastatingly fierce. It is always better to check the weather forecast a day before setting out in the boat. It is better to avoid getting caught in the lakes in the middle of a storm. As weather is unpredictable, always keep a radio handy to hear for the weather forecast to plan a de-route in case.

Conclusion

While you are boating on your own or with your family, safety should be the main focus. Since there are so many things to learn about boating, it would be a good idea to take a boating safety course from a professional to be well prepared.