We always want all of our boaters to stay safe out there. That’s true at any time of the year, but especially during a global pandemic. The weather’s getting nicer, some states and countries are beginning to open up, so we’re all itching to get back out on our boats. That can be very safe, but there are some things that you’re going to want to keep in mind as you head out of your hailing port. The truth is that many of these are good tips to follow anyway, whether there’s a global pandemic or not.
Take Your Time
By now, you’ve surely heard that “social distancing” requires staying about six feet from other people. As you might imagine, on a boat dock, pier, or some other harbor location, that’s not always easy. However, it can be, if you just move a little bit slower. There’s no rush. Let people do what they have to and then you can come through too. Really, even without the pandemic, this just makes it that much easier for everyone to do what they have to do as safely as possible.
Sanitizing Your Equipment with EPA-Registered Products
There are certain kinds of products that kill COVID-19 and other pathogens. It’s highly recommended that you use them on areas like the latches on your hatches, fails, grab bars, coolers, really anything that your hands are going to touch. This might seem like overkill, but the truth is that this is a good idea for any summer. Do you ever get sick during the summer and you aren’t sure why? Doing this kind of thing often lowers the chances that you’re going to get sick in general, whether it’s from COVID-19, the common cold, or anything else.
Follow All of the Safety Protocols You Otherwise Would
Just because there’s a pandemic doesn’t mean that you should ignore or avoid safety protocols that you would otherwise follow. For example, it’s just as important that everyone wear a life jacket (or have one that’s appropriate for their body and within reach at all times) on the boat. You still want to have the appropriate kinds of flares on your vessel. For social distancing purposes, it’s highly recommended that you have ten or fewer people on your boat. But, that’s usually a good idea anyway unless you have an exceptionally large vessel.
Returning to Your Hailing Port Safely
That’s what every boat trip is really about. The most important thing is that everyone makes it back. This spring has been exceptionally hard on so many of us and, with summer beckoning, of course, we all want to get out on the water. At our site, we can help you to do so while in compliance with your legal vessel documentation. From the initial documentation, through the renewal, and basically all the other forms that you’ll need, we’ll be by your side every step of the way. For more, call us at (866) 981-8783.