You Can Never Be Safe Enough on the Water
Every year about this time we start hearing about boat accidents on the water, believe me as a victim of a boat accident I understand the need for safety and I thought I would share a few things I try to do every time I get on the water. Most importantly I never start the motor in my boat without the kill switch being hooked to my life jacket. This is just common sense if you or any one in your boat is thrown from the boat the need to immediately cut the engine is a must!
It is also common practice for me and should be for you also to make everyone in your boat wear a life jacket when the engine is running! I can't tell you how many accidents occur and no one in the boat is wearing a life jacket. A life jacket saved my life when I was ejected from the boat in the accident I was in 1994 without it, I would not be here writing you this article, no doubt in my mind I would have drowned.
The pure fact that I fish and have several people at one time fishing in my boat, I can tell you that hooks can take an eye out or ruin a good fishing day! If you fish out of a short boat or fish more than 2 people at a time you need to heed this advice! Make everyone fish out of the same side of the boat, as casting can ruin a good day on the water. If everyone in the boat is turned to the same side while casting then the hook is always safe from hooking another person. This is something I insist on while fishing three people out of my boat. I never have had anyone hooked when I have done this. This is just smart safe fishing and eliminates the margin of error that can cause you to hook your boat partner.
Safety is nothing but common sense, and I hope my tips help you act in a responsible manner while fishing and boating!
Fish Lake Guntersville Guide Service
www.fishlakeguntersvilleguideservice.com
Email: bassguide@comcast.net
Call: 256 759 2270
Captain Mike Gerry