Boat Safety Checklist
The rainy season will be behind us schooner or later and we’re itching to help everyone get out on Lake Okanagan. While we rent rain or shine, if you’re waiting for the sun to capture a trademark Okanagan summer, it’s the perfect time for a safety refresher!
We imagine that you, like us, like to be prepared before riding a wave. When you rent a boat in Kelowna with Downtown Marina, we run through all the safety features of your rental with you - but we’ve collected some basic boat safety tips to speed you along.
Knowledge is Power
The more you know about the vehicle you’re driving, the safer you’ll be. Know where the safety equipment is, what Canadian buoys look like, how to share waterways, and how to respond in an emergency. Check out Transport Canada’s handy Safe Boating Guide or get your own Operator Card to learn how to drive a boat.
Don’t have a boater’s license? No worries! With our boat rentals, we supply you with a temporary boater’s license and give you a full tour of your boat and its safety features.
Sharpen your boat knowledge to prepare for a safe boating season.
Plan Ahead
To ensure you have a hull of a time on the water, remember to plan when boating. Review a safety checklist before climbing aboard for reminders to check for the appropriate number of lifejackets, fill up on boat fuel, and bring along a communication device in case of emergencies.
Wherever you go, remember to let someone on shore know where you plan on boating - even if it’s just one of our attendants (we’ll ask you too!).
Life Vests Save Lives
We know a lifejacket doesn’t seem like fashionable attire for those boating pictures, but we think they should be! Especially when you know that wearing a lifejacket could eliminate up to 90% of all boating-related drownings. Wherever you’re boating, it’s important to make sure there’s a lifejacket or other personal flotation device (PFD) that fits every person on board - even babies! Check out the Canadian Red Cross’ tips on Lifejackets and PFDs for more.
When you rent from Downtown Marina, we supply lifejackets for everyone in your party so you can focus on bringing towels, water, sunscreen, and snacks.
DUI Applies to Boats Too!
If you can drive a car, you can drive a boat. But just like driving a car, driving a boat while under the influence (of alcohol, cannabis, or other drugs) is a criminal offence and dangerous. Alcohol and drugs reduce your motor skills, judgment, and ability to react.
More than 50% of boating-related accidents in Canada involve alcohol consumption - so save the drink to unwind after you’re docked back on shore.
Want to be even better prepared before sail-ebrating the good times? Check out more of our safety tips: What You Need to Know About Water Safety in the Okanagan.
Kelowna’s Downtown Marina has everything you need for boating fun and a safe day on the water. All our boat rentals in the Okanagan come with the appropriate safety equipment, and our attendants are well verses in all safety measures. Visit kelownadowntownmarina.com or stop by to book your boat rental.