Rental Boat Safety

Families and boating enthusiasts nationwide are gearing up for a fun-filled spring break! Whether you’re spending your break on a beach or a boat, spring water temperatures can still present dangerous risks. In this blog, we are sharing a key recreational boating safety tip (that also applies all year-round!): always dress for the water temperature rather than the air temperature!

Spring can be deceptive when dealing with water temperature! With warm days, but cooler nights, it’s important to remember the water temperature is likely lower than what you might guess. Water removes heat from the human body 25 times faster than air, so think twice before you take a quick jump. Did you know that the risks of hypothermia and drowning are present in water temperatures 70 degrees or less? According to the Department of Natural Resources of Minnesota, over 30 percent of boating fatalities happen in cold water where no life jacket was worn. We’re here to remind you that it is critical to dress appropriately for potential immersion. We recommend wearing a wetsuit of multiple layers of thin clothing to ensure you are able to physically return to your vessel if an unexpected fall into cold water occurs.

Always pay close attention to children on-board, and avoid participating in any water sports if the water temperatures are too low! Hypothermia and Cold Water immersion can be avoided with proper preparation and proactivity. Simply wearing your life jacket is the first and easiest step to bypass a potentially fatal situation. Remain aware of your surroundings and always implement safe boating protocols to keep yourself and your crew safe! 

→ Looking for a boat rental near you? Check out some tips on How to Rent a Boat!

→ In preparation for spring break, brush up on your boating safety skills by watching our educational videos and completing a brief exam: https://www.rentalboatsafety.com/learning