There is one basic to driving a boat that every driver must understand to avoid accidents. You ALWAYS keep to the right - just like in a car. You stay on the right side of the channel. You stay to the right of any boat you meet head-on. This seems to be a hard concept for some boat drivers to understand.
I think part of the problem is drivers in cars are used to keeping right in the US but steering wheels in cars are on the left. You pass cars head on to the side closest to you. With marked roads it is not too difficult to remember. In a boat the steering wheel is usually on the right. Although you still keep right, this means you meet other boats head on to the opposite side from where you are sitting. Since you often have only a split second to remember which way to turn, some drivers get confused - a deadly confusion.
When driving a boat constantly remind yourself of the correct way to meet a boat. Every boat you meet you should consciously think - pass to the right, just like in a car. Remind yourself to keep to the right of the channel when running. Even if the channel is miles wide think "right."
Georgia passed several new boating laws to try to reduce watercraft accidents. There has been a tremendous increase in them - especially since skidoos got so popular. The accident last week proves bass boat drivers, and any other boat drivers, not just skidoo riders - must follow the rules.
The new laws require idle speed only when within 100 feet of docks, boats and the shoreline. Following a boat and jumping wakes is now illegal. Most of the new laws are just applications of common sense - something that is unfortunately uncommon among many boat operators.
Some other safety factors are important. Georgia has laws requiring many of them but they vary from state to state. A common one, and common sense, is to have a life jacket for every person in the boat. While the boat is running you should wear the life jacket. Even good swimmers can get knocked out if thrown from a moving boat. Bass tournaments require wearing of life jackets for a good reason - wear yours even if pulling skiers.
If driving a boat you should have a kill switch attached to our life jacket. This is another requirement in all tournaments and in many states. If you get thrown from the boat you want the engine to stop. If it does not the boat will circle at the speed you were running - circle right where you get thrown out.
Other safety equipment is required or suggested and you should always have things like a sounding device, fire extinguisher, running lights and throwable float. It is wise to have an anchor and a rope, and boats with bilge pumps are safer. No safety equipment can cover mistakes made by boat drivers though. The most important factor in safe boating is to know the rules and follow them!
Had any bad boating mishaps? What safety equipment do you carry? How do you boat safely? What are your experiences? Tell me about it. Do you have some stories relating to boat safety? If so, you can also post information about it for others on my message board - you must register to post but can read the board as a guest. Also, if you have a story about fishing for bream, or anything else about fishing, let me know about it at fishing.guide@about.com for a "Fishtale"
