Boating is a great sport that can be enjoyed all year round in most parts of the country. Taking the boat out on the lake, a river or into the ocean is one of America’s favorite pastimes, full of fun and adventure. However, boating is serious business and any boater will tell you that you need adequate boating equipment to make sure that your outings are as safe as possible, for you and your passengers.
Everyone knows that there are a few essentials of boating equipment, like life preservers and other personal flotation devices. But did you know that there’s so much more that should be stowed on every boat? Let’s start with the basics.
The law requires that any passenger under the age of 12 must wear a personal flotation device while on an open boat deck of any kind. When it comes to purchasing personal flotation devices of any kind for your boat, there are several things to consider.
First, everyone on board must have a flotation device, child or adult, and those devices must be within easy reach. These flotation devices must be approved by the Coast Guard and bear their seal of approval. Lastly, these flotation devices must be in good...