Boating can be tremendously relaxing and a pleasurable activity for people of any age. It gives a sense of escape and the opportunity to sit back, relax, and enjoy the scenery from a different perspective. These tips on pontoon boat etiquette and staying safe while boating are essential.
After all, a small problem can turn a comfortable situation into a traumatic or even disastrous event. On any type of boat, including a pontoon, the most important element is the safety of all the passengers, so abiding by basic boating principles is the most important part.
Data collected from the US Coast Guard website shows that deaths by drowning in 2019 were much greater in accidents that involved a boat captain not properly educated in the safety requirements. In 70% of these accidental deaths, the operator had not received proper boating education.
Enjoying a Pontoon Boat Experience
Pontoon boats offer fun for any group of travelers. Small family reunions, parties, and gatherings of various sizes can travel comfortably on a larger lake or river without any serious risk if safety precautions are followed.
Pontoon boats are flat-bottomed boats with a large flat deck. This allows the boat to accommodate more people than a typical boat. The boat deck rests on two or more pontoons that keep the watercraft above the surface of the water. These decks may be outfitted simply or elaborately and are popular for sightseeing excursions and parties.
Equipment for Group Outings
All pontoon boats should have the following equipment onboard in good standing before leaving the dock:
- A Coast Guard-approved life jacket for every passenger
- Visual distress signals like flares, distress lights, smoke signals, and orange distress flag
- An up-to-date, full, and ready fire extinguisher
- An air horn or athletic whistle
- Working navigation lights – these red and green lights are usually built into the stern of the pontoon boat
- The toilet (if available) should have an operable MSD Type 1,2, or 3
It is also important that you check your local state or community requirements for additional rules and regulations.
Keeping Passengers Safe Aboard a Pontoon Boat
Use this checklist of requirements to keep all passengers safe while aboard a pontoon boat:
- Ensure the captain has completed and passed an approved boat safety course
- Complete and current boat registration
- Check lights, horns, and engine cut-off before leaving the dock
- Create a route plan
- Check the weather before leaving
- Check you have a life jacket for each passenger and crew, including any children
- Ensure the fuel tank is full. Consider carrying additional fuel
- The crew should always avoid alcohol consumption
- Follow posted speeds and maintain a safe speed for the conditions
- Obey all nautical rules
- Keep passengers seated while the pontoon is moving
- Shut off the engine before anyone enters the water
- Confirm no one is near the propellers when starting the engine
Adopting these straightforward rules eliminates the stress of operating your pontoon boat with passengers. Furthermore, it ensures that everyone onboard has a fun and relaxing journey.
Checkout Suncatcher Pontoons
Presenting the versatile Yamaha pontoons, Suncatcher offers consumer rebates and special financing to purchasers of these world-class watercraft. Each new pontoon comes with a 5-year bow-to-stern limited warranty. View the available options on the Suncatcher website and find a dealer near you.