Getting Your Boat Ready for the Busy Summer Boating Season – Ten Quick Tips, Plus Two Often Overlooked Items
The 2022 Boating Season on Lake Hopatcong and at the Jersey Shore is finally upon us! Here in New Jersey, it’s been a long winter – and it seemed to take longer-than-usual for temperatures to finally reach a warm and steady pace that feels like that pleasant spring, beginning-of-summer point.
Now that June (and warmer weather!) is finally here, we’d like to share some quick boating safety tips that boat owners should look for – and follow – as you unwrap your boat and get her ready for the summer boating season.
Ten Items You Should Have on Your Boat as You Start Your Boating Season
Our “Ten Things To Have On Your Boat” video covers the ten things you should have onboard as you start your season in less than a minute – reminding boaters to make sure they have everything from life jackets, to charts, to your throw cushion, and of course… your boat keys before heading out for the 2022 season.
Check Your Boat’s Fire Extinguisher
At Bridge Marina, we also stress the importance of boaters checking in on a few other often-overlooked boating safety items. First, as you begin your boating season, take a moment to review your boat’s on-board fire extinguisher. Make sure that you’ve double checked the fire extinguisher’s expiration date, fill level and more. Our quick “Checking Your Fire Extinguisher” video demonstrates what boaters should look for when it comes to this often overlooked boating safety item.
Check the Life Jackets On Board Your Boat
All of us at Bridge Marina also stress the importance of double checking the condition of all life vests on your boat. Open up your compartments and inspect each life jacket. Are they still in good condition? Do you need to replace any of your life jackets? Do you have enough life jackets on board? Throw away any life jackets that are no longer suitable and replace them with new ones, so all of your life jackets are in great condition when you need them.
Want to see more videos like this or learn how to become a better boater? Check out our YouTube channel, TikTok channel, and other social media pages. All are filled with informative boating safety videos, pictures, and tips to help keep you safe out on the water and become a more informed boater.
Our Learn to Boat program also gets you out on the water with a professional instructor, learning to boat! Hands-on boat handling courses with Bridge Marina are held throughout the summer on Lake Hopatcong and at the Jersey Shore in Highlands. Learn more and sign up here.