Ready Your Boat for Sailing Season

Sailing season is right around the corner, and thousands of skippers are getting ready to prep their boats for another few months of fun in the sun. Before a vessel can safely hit the high seas, boat owners must perform a host of tasks, both big and small, to ensure their season features plenty of smooth sailing and no safety risks.

According the United States Coast Guard, there were 4,730 recreational boating accidents in 2009. Those accidents caused 736 deaths and roughly $36 million worth of property damage. Many of those accidents could have been avoided, and a great way to avoid accidents this sailing season is to carefully prep a boat before leaving the dock.

Inspect the Boat

A careful inspection of the entire boat should be conducted before going out to sea for the first time. This inspection should be thorough and boaters should look for signs of corrosion or additional deterioration that might have occurred over the winter. USCG statistics indicate that machinery failure resulted in nine deaths and more than 200 accidents in 2009 alone. Sailors should never begin a season without first inspecting all of their boat's machinery and ensuring it's ready for the season to come. Don't sail without first correcting a problem, no matter how big or small that problem might seem.

Clean the Boat

Even novice sailors can perform general boat maintenance, which can greatly reduce the risk of accident and prevent sailors from finding themselves stranded at sea. A general cleaning of the deck, hull and topsides is a good place to start. Use a mild detergent to clean, and wash all windows and hatches with a glass cleaner. Dirt and grime can build up during the off season, and this can make it difficult for a boat to operate at its peak. What's more, dirt and grime increase the risk of slips and falls aboard the deck.

Stock Up on Safety Equipment

Before heading out for the first trip of the season, inspect all safety equipment and replace any equipment that has too much wear and tear. USCG data indicates nearly three-fourths of all fatal boating accident victims drowned, and 84 percent of those drowning victims were not wearing a life jacket. Use the time before the season starts to inspect all life jackets and make sure there are enough on board for all potential passengers. Additional safety equipment to have on board include:

* safety harnessess

* life buoys

* fire extinguisher

* first aid kit

* distress signals, including a radio and/or flares

Educate Yourself and Your Passengers

Educating yourself and your passengers is a key part of getting a boat ready for sailing season. Even if a boat is mechanically sound and in pristine condition, an accident can still happen. In fact, according to the USCG, operator inattention and operator inexperience are the two most common contributing factors to boating accidents, causing more than 1,000 accidents and nearly 90 deaths in 2009. An operator's responsibilities when sailing are numerous and include staying on top of things with respect to boat operation. It's also a good idea to teach any prospective passengers some basic sailing principles before heading out to sea. This can help in the case of a medical emergency.

For more information, visit the United States Coast Guard at www.uscg.mil.