At Pursuit Boats, we believe that every responsible captain spending time on the water should prioritize safety on boats at all times. Whether you're a seasoned captain or a weekend boating enthusiast, understanding and implementing safety measures onboard is essential not only for the safety of yourself and your crew but also for the safety of those around you.
Safety on Board: Preparing Your Vessel
As an owner of a Pursuit Boat, you're the proud owner of a boat that effortlessly combines performance, luxury, comfort, and safety.
While the performance, luxury, and comfort aspects are all embodied within the boat, a big part of your safety at sea begins with your preparation before heading out.
Prevent boating accidents with these easy pre-departure boating safety tips and checks:
Life Jackets
At the risk of stating the obvious, life jackets are a non-negotiable asset, with one U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket required per passenger, stored in an accessible location, and ready for action. Both you and your passengers need to know where the life jackets are stowed and how to put on and wear a life jacket.
Remember: A life jacket can mean the difference between a frustrating accident and a devastating tragedy.
Safety Equipment
Beyond life jackets, having the right safety equipment onboard is crucial to prevent recreational boating accidents. A fire extinguisher should be easily at hand, and everyone aboard should understand how to operate it. Safety gear such as flares, whistles, a first-aid kit, and VHF radios must be checked and functional. Even better, consider purchasing and packing a ditch bag. Read our guide on what to pack in your ditch bag.
When selecting your first aid kit, be sure that its contents are relevant to the marine environment and your preferred boating activities. If you're fishing then you may, for example, want to ensure that you have pliers available to deal with any unexpected fish hook accidents.
Navigation Lights
Check your navigation lights to ensure that they are working as intended, particularly if you will be boating at night. Functioning navigation lights are not only a Coast Guard requirement but also a simple means by which to avoid an accident after dark.
Systems Check
Finally, a good inspection of your engine, fuel systems, and batteries pre-departure can avert unforeseen troubles. Check your engine's oil levels, and do a quick visual inspection of your fuel lines and hydraulic systems. Glance over your batteries, ensuring that they are properly seated and free of leaks and that both they and their wiring are not showing any obvious signs of degradation or damage.
Safer at Sea with the Chapman School of Seamanship
Several years ago, Pursuit Boats partnered with Florida's Chapman School of Seamanship to develop a training course specifically for new owners of Pursuit Boats - Confidence on the Water.
The Chapman School of Seamanship was established in 1971 and today, offers a broad range of courses spanning both the recreational and commercial maritime fields. The school trains around 900 students a year and over the decades, has developed a reputation for high-quality training delivered by excellent instructors.
Course Structure
The CPC100-Pursuit course is offered for free to buyers of new Pursuit Boats, however, an array of boating courses are open to anyone for a fee. The Pursuit Confidence on the Water course runs over two days, totaling twelve hours of training. Day one is spent primarily in the classroom while day two involves six hours of on-the-water hands-on training fun. This training is done aboard a twin-engine Pursuit Center Console model, the S 288 Sport Center Console, ensuring that your training is as accurate and relevant to your own experience at home, as possible.
Through Pursuit Boats' relationship with the Chapman School and our custom CPC100-Pursuit training course, we are equipping Pursuit boat owners with the skills to handle all kinds of challenges ranging from basic etiquette to more advanced maneuvers. We believe that understanding your Pursuit's capabilities allows for better, more responsible handling in varied conditions and ultimately, better boating safety.
Weather Service Sources and Apps: Your Digital Lookout
In the digital era, access to weather forecasts and data information relating to sea conditions is more conveniently obtainable than ever before, with much of it available right in the palm of your hand thanks to a slew of user-friendly, advanced mobile apps. Apps such as Windy and Weather Underground offer detailed real-time weather information at your fingertips, while the U.S. Coast Guard app is a comprehensive resource for safe boating.
Onboard, many Pursuit Boats integrate systems for weather data access, enhancing your helm with the power of technology.
Conclusion
Respecting the ocean requires preparation, responsibility, and education. In this article, we gave you some straightforward tips to keep you and your crew safe on the water, and we told you all about our partnership with the Chapman School of Seamanship and what it entails.
If you are considering upgrading your boat, why not contact our sales team? They're standing by to answer any questions you may have and they will be very happy to introduce you to your nearest authorized Pursuit Boats Dealer.
