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Tips for Boating With Kids

Oct. 3 2022 Lifestyle By West Hawk Marine

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Boating is an excellent way to relax and spend time in nature with your family. If you’re taking children along with you on a boat, there are some things you can do to ensure they stay safe while having a whole lot of fun. At West Hawk Marine, we want you to enjoy your boating experiences each and every time. With that in mind, we’ve created this list of things you can do to make sure your kids have a great time on your vessel.

Getting Used to Life Jackets

Your children should be as comfortable as possible in their life jackets. Make sure that they know how to keep their jackets on at all times when they’re on the boat and don’t break that rule. To get them used to it, you can wear a life jacket yourself. They’re more likely to do it if they see the adults around them also following good safety practices. Once your kids are used to their life jackets, attach a marine whistle to each jacket. Then teach the children to blow the whistle repeatedly until help arrives in case they fall off the boat.

Fix Safety Rules

Children need to be briefed on all the rules that they must follow when on the boat as well as common safety practices. They should know not to sit on the edge of the boat or try to grab something that has fallen overboard. They should never touch the boat’s controls or disturb the operator when they’re maneuvering the boat. Teach them that running around on the boat can cause them to slip and get hurt.

If kids are reluctant to follow the rules, you can explain to them why rules exist and what can happen if they don’t follow them. They should also know where the essential supplies (such as a throwable life ring, first-aid kit, and fire extinguisher) are kept. Give them a tour of the boat before you begin your trip to familiarize them with it.

We hope that these tips help you and your kids have a great time on your boat! For all your boat needs, visit West Hawk Marine. We are conveniently located in West Hawk Lake, Manitoba, where we serve all those coming from Winnipeg and White Shell.