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With warmer weather comes yachting season, and in all the excitement of finally taking the yacht back out on the water after the winter, many yacht owners allow safety to fall by the wayside. Unfortunately, this can lead to dangerous situations and serious accidents. For the safety-conscious yacht owner, Joshua Kerrigan, EMT, Captain, and CEO of Yacht Management Inc. offers the following safety tips. #1 Don’t Drink and Yacht A cocktail out on the water can be an enjoyable thing, but never operate a yacht or other watercraft while intoxicated. If you choose to drink while at sea, make sure that you have a sober operator to safely steer you back to shore. #2 Wear a Life Jacket The vast majority of recreational boating deaths come about when individuals are not wearing life jackets. Regardless of your fashion sense, make sure that every single person on the yacht is wearing a well-fitting personal flotation device. #3 Perform Routine Checks Before taking your yacht out this season, have it checked over by a professional. Then, make sure to test the safety systems regularly to ensure that they function properly throughout the season. #4 Check the Weather Before you leave the marina, check your local forecast. If storms, low visibility, or extreme heat are predicted, consider saving your trip for another day. If you notice that the weather is dramatically worsening while you’re at sea, turn for the closest safe harbor immediately. #5 Teach Others the Ropes Make sure that you’re not the only person on the yacht who knows how to operate it. In the event that you’re incapacitated, having a “first mate” of sorts will ensure that you and your guests can safely make it back to shore. #6 Tell Someone Where You’re Going Never leave the marina without letting a friend or family member know where you’re going and how long you’ll be gone. If there is an accident or emergency, you’ll be able to get help far more quickly. #7 Take a Safety Course Multiple organizations offer yachting safety courses, which may include important information ranging from how to solve basic mechanical problems to how to rescue someone who has fallen overboard. When you’re prepared for any eventuality, you’ll be able to handle it responsibly and perhaps even save a life. For more information about yachting safety, further tips, and information about boating and yachting safety courses, Joshua Kerrigan invites you to take a look at the following online resources: http://www.boat-ed.com/florida/index.html
http://www.uscgboating.org/
http://www.discoverboating.com/beginner/safety/tips.aspx
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Joshua Kerrigan, Yacht Management Inc, Yacht Safety Tips,
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