Safety advice for boaties

Press, 30 December 1988, Page 7

Safety advice for boaties

PA Wellington Many boating accidents could be prevented if boaties took more precautions before leaving the shore, the New Zealand Water Safety Council says.

It has issued some guidelines for safe boating this summer.

These emphasise that boats should be suitable for the trips they make. All equipment, including safety devices, should be in good working order and the sailor should be experienced enough to handle the boat and its equipment in any circumstances.

Before buying or hiring a boat it is best to seek advice from an experienced sailor on the suitability, standard of equipment and condition of the

boat, the council says. Every person on the boat should have a correctly fitted life-jacket, and children and nonswimmers should wear them all the time they are aboard.

Equipment for small boats should include distress flares, first aid supplies, an anchor, a rope and something to bail out water.

In a power boat, equipment should include a fire extinguisher, spare engine parts, tools and a reserve supply of petrol. The skipper should make sure the boat is not overloaded, should check that all mechanical parts are in good order, and enure that everyone knows how the safety equipment works.