You Won’t Want to Leave Shore Without This

A lot of people are afraid of watersports and boating — and for the right reasons. Taking a risk of that sort when you’re unable to even swim properly doesn’t really make much sense. There are folks, however, who are into watersports and they’re crazy about it. If being out on the water fascinates you, there are two things you must know.

Firstly, you should know how to swim, or deep down there will always be fear in some corner of your heart. Secondly, you must know all the laws and legalities involved, and be on top of all the safety measures required. If you’re planning a boat party, it’s vital that you have the following items so you’re safe in case things go south:

Sunscreen

The sun doesn’t care that you’re out for a party and will burn your skin as soon as it gets the chance. If you decide to take a jump in the water, you’ll love it at first. But as soon as you jump back on the boat, your body temperature will start to adjust, and before you know it, the sun will start to air-fry you. That’s why you never want to go ahead without sunscreen.

Flare Gun

Whether you’re out with a group or alone, you need a flare gun that shoots at least 50-60 meters up in the air. It can be used to signal relevant authorities that you need help or may be used to connect with another boat that’s out on the waters. High-end flare guns can shoot up to 5km in the air and may shine brightly from anywhere between a minute to several minutes in the air.

First Aid Kit

You must have a first aid kit that has everything from bandages, alcohol wipes, scissors, and tweezers to necessary painkillers. Instead of putting together a first-aid kit yourself, you can invest in a ready-made first aid kit that comes organized in a case and has everything one may need when out on the waters. Make sure the supplies in the kit are enough for each passenger.

Personal Floatation Devices (PFDs)

Each passenger must be assigned a personal floatation device of some sort — perhaps a life jacket and an inflatable ring that they may hold on to. Not everybody can swim properly so this is a must.

GPS Unit

You must have your phones and GPS units with you. The captain must know how to get the best out of these devices.

VHF Reference

Speaking of getting the most out of important devices, a VHF reference is an invaluable resource for understanding and communicating over VHF radio in the event of an emergency. The guide covers all frequently needed topics such as spelling alphabet, channel usage, emergency calls, safety calls, and more.

Check out the Boat Galley VHF Reference to get the best information right when you need it. This reference sheet can easily be used at the radio, as all the answers to commonly asked questions are easy to locate because of its bright colors and effortless reading type size. It’s also easy to store near the radio as well as hold in one hand while holding the radio mic with the other.

Dry Bag

A dry bag won’t only help you keep your electronics and clothes safe but it’s normal for clothes to get wet on a boat. So, you’ll need some dry clothes and a bag that can hold your wet clothes — a dry bag will be an excellent choice in this regard.

Gear for Rainy Weather

Unless you’re sailing on a yacht, you’ll have little room to stay in cover during rainy weather. It’s essential that you take your raincoats, hats, umbrellas, and gloves with you as you embark on your day-long party-voyage.

Entertainment

If you’re going for a day-long trip and you don’t have much to do, things can quickly get boring on a boat. While some may prefer a peaceful read, others may want to dance and enjoy while they have their favorite snacks and drinks.

Emergency Repair Tools

You must have your knives, extra anchors and sails, toolbox, and all your spare repair parts and tools on board. Being in a boat puts you at a higher level of vulnerability as compared to when you’re on a road — you’re out there alone and you’re on the waters. You need some sort of a backup and required manpower to quickly recover from technical faults.

Final Thoughts

Always be sure to align your plans with the laws and regulations of your state. If you’ll be handling the boat yourself, you must have the legal papers, license, and required documents to do so.