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They say an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure – but out on the water, it’s triple that.

Having life jackets on board is the legal minimum, but with so many more safety options available, there’s no reason not to make boating safety a priority. With a little knowledge from our expert staff and some gear, you can be prepared for a day – or night – on the lake confident that you’re ready for whatever nature throws at you.

  • Life jackets:  The single most important personal safety equipment on your boat are life jackets. Sure, the lower quality jackets tend to be bulkier and uncomfortable, but hey – that’s the trade-off for staying alive. Make sure that everyone on board is wearing one – and it’s always a good idea to have a spare on board, just in case.
  • Lights: Just because you may not boat at night doesn’t mean you don’t need lights – or to understand how they work. Lights keep boats on “their side”, as well as lighting the way through channels for safe passage. Familiarizing yourself with the color and placement of lights will help you identify the size and type of other vessels, and the direction they’re traveling.
  • Fire extinguishers: Most boaters don’t think much about keeping fire extinguishers on board. I mean, you’re surrounded by water, right? So why waste the room for a fire extinguisher? Well, the truth is – hold on to your paddles – water on the outside of your boat won’t help when you’ve got sparks in the engine or smoke rolling out of the hull.
  • Distress communication: If you find yourself in hot water – or cool lake water – you need to be prepared. Visual Distress Signals will get you noticed, but only if you have them and know how to use them. Pyrotechnic devices, distress lights, EPRBs, and flags are all options that can keep you safe and found if the unthinkable should happen.
  • Extra fuel / paddles: It might seem like a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised how many calls for tow come in because boaters didn’t have an emergency supply of fuel on board – or even a set of paddles.
  • Battery-powered electronics: If it hasn’t happened to you yet, it will. You check the weather then head out for a day on the water with your iPod … Only to find an unexpected storm coming in. A small, battery powered radio and spare batteries can keep you up-to-date on last minute weather changes. Also, keep a few extra zipper baggies to tuck cell phones or other electronic devices in to protect them from the spray.

Keeping on top of the newest technology – especially where safety is concerned – is what separates Northshore Marina from all of the other marinas on the lake. Our ship store stocks the supplies you need to not only make your day on the lake fun, but to keep you and your group safe. Our professionals will make sure you have what you need and provide the training on how to use it. That’s what makes Northshore Marina at the Hollows the premier marina on Lake Travis.

Original Source: http://northshoremarinahollows.com/marina-news/new-safety-maritime-safety-gear-goes-beyond/

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