Pontoon Boat Safety
If you're looking for a watercraft for leisurely riding, fishing, or various other water activities, pontoons are an excellent, affordable craft to take out on the water. With larger pontoons, you can take a group of friends out and enjoy the lake together, or you can enjoy fishing in the middle of the lake with one or two partners. No matter what you enjoy doing, though, you'll need to prepare yourself for the risks you might run into on the water, and following essential safety guidelines is a great way to ensure you have fun without anybody getting hurt.
At L & M Marine, we have a few suggestions for you to follow in order to stay safe out there, and if you'd like more information, or would like to browse some of our inventory to get a new pontoon, visit us in Stapleton and Theodore, AL. We're near Mobile, AL, Pensacola, FL, and Biloxi, MS.
General Rules by State
Every state has its own rules regarding boat safety, so if you want to take your pontoon out, be sure to read these over, and make sure you're following all the regulations that your state sets. Things to look out for that vary by state are rules regarding right-of-way, age, life jackets, towing restrictions, and what kind of boating license and insurance you need. Being complicit in these areas is important because other boaters will be following the same rules, so you'll want to obey them to make sure you get along well with people in other watercraft.
Equipment
Before going out on any boat or pontoon, make sure you do an equipment check. Every person on board needs to have a flotation device, and emergency equipment like fire extinguishers and flares or flags should also be on your pontoon. Anchors are handy too, since they prevent you from being pulled too far out in case your engine fails. Finally, since emergencies happen sometimes when you're out on the water, your watercraft needs to have a horn loud enough for people to hear you at least half a mile away, and a first aid kit isn't a bad idea either.
Pay Attention to the Weather
No matter where you're taking your pontoon, weather can change in an instant, and severe storms are difficult to navigate out of, especially if your pontoon doesn't have a very powerful engine. Before going out on and enjoying any activity in the water, check the weather report to see what you're up against. Even when it's a hot, sunny day, if you don't check the weather before going out, you never know what could be lurking in the horizon.
Appropriate Behavior and Practices
Getting all your friends together on a pontoon and having a small party on the water can be fun, but you'll still need to be careful and watch out for potentially dangerous activities. First, and most importantly, the pontoon driver needs to be sober. It is illegal to be under the influence while captaining a watercraft, and drinking can lead to senseless injuries if you do it while driving. Also, all pontoons have restrictions for capacity, and although it's tempting to try fitting everyone on board, you need to know your pontoon's limits and follow them. If your pontoon has a more powerful engine, make sure to follow any speed limits in your area, and drive cautiously when turning and navigating around obstacles.
With a little knowledge and foresight, you'll enjoy a safe time on the water, and still have a great time! It's not hard to use common sense and obey the law, and if you follow the recommendations in this guide, you can enjoy your pontoon worry free. For more information, or if you would like to check out our selection of pontoons, visit us at L & M Marine. We'll be happy to give you the watercraft that's just right for your adventures on the lake!