Although it is still early for boating in Maine, it is never too early to think about making boating safer for children. Nothing gives parents and grandparents more delight than showing the kids a good time on the water. Unfortunately, in our desire to please, we often jump into unsafe situations that can end up in tragedy.

One extremely dangerous practice for any age is bow riding. Children are on a slippery curved surface with minimum side rail protection while receiving a maximum jolt from waves and passing wakes. Boating in rough water can be very scary and disorienting for a child, who is often too small to see over the rails, deafened by the roar of the engine, or being tossed off balance by the pounding waves. You can help improve stability by making sure children wear secure shoes with soft soles for traction. It is also a good idea for children to wear lightweight clothing as these items will not get too heavy when wet in the event the child falls overboard.

Many children fall into the water while boarding a boat or playing on the dock. It is a good practice to have them don life jackets all the time, on or near water. A life jacket should fit snugly so as to not rise above the head when in the water. A good test is to grasp the life jacket at the shoulders and lift the child off the ground, simulating flotation. When children fall unexpectedly into the water, they will experience sudden panic. Have them wear the jacket in your pool or at beachside to check the fit and to get them comfortable with the feeling of flotation. Don’t let an emergency be a child’s first time in a life jacket.

When a child falls into the water, time is of the essence. Plan in advance for who takes the helm, who points at the child to maintain visual contact while turning, who throws the flotation device to the child, and who goes overboard if necessary to render assistance. Having such a plan in place saves confusion and precious seconds.

Following these simple tips, will help assure that kids have a safe boating experience. These precautions also allow parents to worry less, knowing their kids can return another day for more boating fun. Take the time to think and plan before embarking on your next outing.

To learn more about safe boating practices or to take a boating class or seminar from the United States Power Squadrons, contact Wawenock Sail and Power Squadron at www.usps.org/wawenock.