Boating Safety

Ensuring Boating Safety In California

Summertime in San Diego is upon us, which has many people heading to the water to enjoy the amazing weather that comes along with the season. While boating for recreation this summer, it is important to make sure that you’re taking the necessary safety measures so that your fun out on the water isn’t spoiled by an incident. Ensuring that you have adequate boating insurance coverage can give you the peace of mind that you and your watercraft are fully protected if any damages on the water are incurred. If you own a boat in San Diego, California, and have questions regarding boating safety and insurance coverage, Windfall Insurance Services Inc. can help. Read on to learn more about boating safety with an insurance policy.

Understanding The Risks Associated With Boating

When using a personal watercraft, certain risks can be involved, making it necessary to take safety measures while enjoying recreational activities on the water. One of the most common and major risks involved with recreational boating is operating a watercraft while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, which severely inhibits the response time of a boat operator. Another risk factor that can cause potential danger on the water is operating a boat with little experience and inadequate training. When water is involved, the risk of drowning is an unfortunate possibility, so it is crucial as the operator of a watercraft to fit every passenger with a life vest. When operating a boat, the operator needs to fully inspect all of the equipment before entering the water in order to bypass any accidents involving equipment or maintenance malfunctions. Boat propellers can pose a particular threat to both people in the water and boaters, so it is important to be mindful of this area of the watercraft and take appropriate safety measures to prevent any injuries.

Understanding Boating Laws In California

It is important to note that California has specific laws when it comes to boating. First of all, it is required to obtain a California boater’s card in order to operate a boat with 15 or more horsepower and a boat owner must register any boat with a motor or a sailboat over eight feet in length with the California DMV. It is required that any operator of a motor-powered watercraft must be at least sixteen years old, and anyone under sixteen must be supervised by someone at least eighteen years or older. It is illegal to operate any watercraft while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and all passengers on board the boat must wear a personal flotation device that has been approved by the Coast Guard.

If you are interested in learning more about boating safety and insurance in San Diego, California, contact Windfall Insurance Services Inc. for a consultation.