Here is a terrific article and safety tips from our colleague Scott Ferguson about the joys and dangers of night boating – and tips that will help you enjoy boating after dark safely.
HOW TO BOAT SAFELY AND ENJOYABLY AT NIGHT
Scott Ferguson
Most of us have heard of tragic boating events at night. Running aground. Collisions. Someone getting hopelessly lost. Some of these events are recent. Others date back decades. Many were fatal. All are very sad and regrettable. I believe that almost all were preventable. This article guides you to boat safely and enjoyably at night.
NIGHT BOATING CAN BE SPECTACULAR!
Having grown up with an island cottage, I was introduced to night boating as a child. I love it. Some of my favourite boating memories are of travelling down Lakes Joseph, Rosseau and Muskoka almost to Gravenhurst in a single run on a hot summer night beneath the peace and majesty of summer’s night sky.
Night boating is not “unnatural”, as some people seem to describe it. It can be a beautiful and rewarding experience. If you do it, embrace it. The more optimistic and positive you are, the more confident and competent you be to enjoy it and perform it safely.
7 MOST IMPORTANT WAYS TO BOAT SAFELY AND ENJOYABLY AT NIGHT
- Be unimpaired. Period.
- Be positive. If you want to boat at night, embrace it. A confident boater is likely a safer boater.
- Be prepared. Be equipped. Check weather reports. Study your path on a chart beforehand.
- Get dark. Turn off headlights, spotlights and other unnecessary lights. Dilate your pupils.
- Rise above it all. Get your head above the windshield. Never, ever, EVER look through a boat windshield at night. Ever.
- Throttle it back and stay back. Slow down. Obey all speed limits – ie: bow down and “speed walking” within half a hockey rink of shore or another boat, day or night.
- Watch for boats without lights. Veer away.
To read Scott’s full article click here Night Boating – Scott Ferguson