Nothing may be as comfortable as you can float along in the inflatable boat on an ocean. Nothing except yourself and the marine life beneath the boat.
It would sound wonderful, right? Possibly to someone. However, staying safe while rowing the boat on water will require several safety precautions.
How to stay safe with an inflatable boat on the ocean? Users can take advantage of the following techniques to keep safe as far as possible in an inflatable on the ocean:
- Keep wearing a life jacket.
- Apply local boating laws.
- Do constant safety checks.
- Indicate your position.
- Watch the weather program.
- Utilize sun protection.
- Hydrate.
- Enjoy one safety course for boaters.
A lot of operators argue that the inflatable boat is even much safer than the conventional hard boat. Still, taking one inflatable boat on the ocean will demand some extra considerations for staying safe. Windrider of The Rockies.
How To Stay Safe On An Inflatable Boat
How To Stay Safe On An Inflatable Boat
Even the most knowledgeable boat drivers constantly keep in mind that safety is a priority when they are on inflatable boats.
Inflatable boats are quite similar to other boats. People can boat as a sport or just recreation. Anyway, following these instructions will ensure your safety as much as possible.
The significance of life jacket
The significance of life jacket
As stated by the US Coast Guard figures show that a majority of 90% of boating accidents can result from not putting on the life jacket. In other words, just a life jacket can save many lives.
You may think about a common fact that a lot of people boating without life jackets in the calmer water like a lake or a river (We do not recommend it).
However, it will be another situation when you are in the ocean with unpredictable things. The line between life and death is very thin.
Look at some of the most common examples of how a life jacket saves your life:
- Falling overboard accidents
- Boat capsizing
- Choppy waters and storms
According to the Coast Guard, always ensure that your life jacket is in good condition and the suited size.
In addition, although a few states will not ask you to wear a life jacket, all of them will ask this life jacket to be within a suitable distance and ready in emergencies. Do NOT store the life jacket in cargo containers, coolers, or other storage spaces.
Local boating rules
The law regulates almost all things in society, even boating. The boating law that governs the position of water may be a bit different from states.
In addition, while you are on a boat in the ocean, you are always in the jurisdiction of the Coast Guard.
Then, you have to study and fully understand the law for destinations. In most cases, the law may be quite similar. Still, to prevent all misunderstandings, the recommendation is double checks.
Constant safety checks
Just using an inflatable boat and applying all precautions is not safe enough to make sure that you and your friends.
Remember to always inspect your inflatable before and after using it will help you detect all potential risks. You can also point out all the wear and tear that result from regular use.
An inflatable boat will certainly need some fixing. Identifying and repairing all problems equals the difference between an easy fix and an expensive or impossible mistake in the future.
Indicate your position
It is also crucial to know the law and guidelines to boat in a specific water area. Equipped with a wide knowledge of the water, difficulties, and other elements for an area of water, you can increase your life-saving information.
For instance, you may take notice of numerous coral reefs in the south with calmer waters. This kind of knowledge can affect the traveling direction and help your journey become much safer.
It is also an excellent idea to inform others at home or on land; they will know your plan and your position in the ocean.
Thanks to that, in case of emergencies, even land or water, people can indicate your location more easily. Be wise and offer precise information to keep you as safe as possible.
Thanks to that, people can indicate your location more easily in case of emergencies, even land or water. Be wise and offer precise information to keep you as safe as possible.
Weather condition
Weather condition
Always remember to check the weather condition. Regularly, you should check it a previous week or a day before, and even two times in the morning of your plan. Weather can make a huge impact on the quality of that day on a boat.
While you are in the boat on the ocean, it is necessary to think about the weather in the destination as well as the nearby areas. As the ocean is literally a body of water, the surroundings can also affect your position.
The National Weather Service offers every forecast specific to each coastal area of the US. It has become the go-to resource for inflatable boat drivers on the ocean. You will know the nearly correct weather conditions in advance.
If the weather may change suddenly on your journey, DO NOT watch and see! Weather conditions on the ocean can change instantly. If you are in doubt, come back to shore.
Utilize sun protection
Sun Protection
When you are on the ocean, it will not be similar to the land. The sun would certainly release harmful UV rays for any boat operator.
It can cause sunburn to your skin. To protect your skin properly, you should apply some sunblock before you start your excursion.
You will also need to take a pair of sunglasses equipped with UV protection lenses to guard your eyes against harm. Certainly, you can suffer from sunburn on the eyes as well.
You need to remember putting on more things: hats, pale-colored items of clothing, and thin natural fabrics.
Hydration
Hydration
It is popular to understand the importance of drinking a lot of water every day. Turning to the boat, typically on the ocean, it will become an utmost necessity.
Initially, staying on the ocean means you will sweat, even though there is wind. It is very necessary to refill the water loss.
Secondly, ocean water has a high salt content. In other words, if you plan to boat on the ocean, the ocean water will really make your skin dry. It even pulls considerable hydration from the body if you spend a lot of time here.
The high level of salt also implies that the water is not reliable for everyone to drink. In case of accidents or other complications, you cannot drink saltwater. Make a good preparation and bring a lot of drinkable water.
Join one safety course for boaters
We fully know that the suggestion of joining a safety course can look like a pain. Yet, one boater safety course, particularly for beginners, can offer plenty of useful information. Thanks to that, you can work at safe boating.
Be aware of the significance of adhering to the boating law and regulation. Then, you can deal with most issues while boating on the ocean.
How To Protect Your Boat
There are a variety of reasons that users may prefer the inflatable boat over the traditional hard one. The most popular cause is the lightweight and buoyancy of inflatable boats.
Although this kind of boat is easier for you to move on the water, there are a ton of things to remember to keep the inflatable as safe as possible. Here is the list of the essential practices when you use and maintain one inflatable boat:
Keep doing a Safety Check
It is similar to the way you do with your daily driver. You need to walk around the inflatable and kick the tire as well.
The inflatable boat can have some tears and punctures. A detailed inspection is crucial to prevent missing necessary air pressure when you are on the ocean.
Appropriate storage
How to use the inflatable boat correctly is a must, so is appropriate storage.
Because the inflatable boat can become ruined easily, it is vital to maintain your inflatable in well-ventilated areas without any tool, animal, or other debris.
All these factors can suddenly puncture or ruin the boat. High variations in temperatures can lead to the degraded structure of your boat as well.
Never pull the inflatable boat
The best approach to move the inflatable boat to the destination is to carry. If possible, you can use the launching wheel.
Stay away from pulling or scrapping the inflatable on the ground, sand, rock, or other objects. They can puncture or tear the body of the inflatable boat.
Be careful with cargo
Keeping your boat in good conditions also consists of ensuring that all the things on your boat will not break it down. Be careful when you load and unload cargo, even yourself and others to prevent tearing the hull of the inflatable.
One of the most common damages to the inflatable boat is a utility knife or other kinds of survival tools in the pocket. Even a car key can make a puncture on the inflatable boat if it is hitting with enough pressure and in the right direction.
Explore your boat
One of the best ways to make sure the inflatable boat is in good condition is to explore the inflatables’ features, both inside and outside.
Then, you will know when one seam shows excess wear or fiber has become degraded. Spending your time learning your boat will help you avoid a ton of problems down the road.
See more: Insurance For Inflatable Boat
Types of Inflatable Boats
You may have some ideas in your mind about what an inflatable boat is and how it is different from the traditional hard boat.
Yet, do you know how many types of inflatable boats are possible to boat on the ocean? Keep reading to get the answer.
Pontoon
Inflatable pontoons are also called catamarans. People most use this boat in calm waters. One pontoon includes double disconnected inflatable runners and one frame to connect them.
Regularly, a pontoon will set a seat in the center of the frame. It will provide a comfortable seat for a fisherman for easier fishing.
The suggestion is not to use an inflatable pontoon boat on the ocean. The exception is the well-managed and small area with calmer water.
Dinghies
The dinghy is possibly the most popular inflatable boat. It is a sport in the inflatable boat world.
Previously, the dinghy aimed at offering emergency escapes from the larger boat. Today, the dinghy is a separate type of boat. This boat can come equipped with extremely rugged materials to deal with even the roughest water.
The dinghy varies based on design and motor size. The well-made dinghy will often consist of oar hooks to serve the traditional style of boating.
When you look at the dinghy, you will want to ensure the quality and design over a good deal. Not any dinghy is tough enough to boat on the ocean.
Rigid or RIB
Some people think that a RIB, or a rigid inflatable boat, is not exactly an inflatable boat. Still, we want to list it as the opposite is right as well.
The RIB is a unique design that combines the best parts of hard boats and inflatables. A RIB features the lightweight and portability of the inflatable as well as the function and sturdiness of the traditional hard hull boat.
A RIB may be short because it cannot serve one large, strong motor found in the hard boat. In addition, owing to the solid hull construction, it takes up the most space as in a traditional hard boat.
This type of boat became the optimal option for groups such as the United States Coast Guard. The reason is the RIB’s unique construction which cannot make it sink.
A RIB can also possess plenty of bells and whistles that you can see on the traditional vessel, for example, consoles, consisting of steering wheels with electrical elements like the fish finder and navigation system.
Rafts
When it comes to an inflatable boat, maybe people often think about a raft. A raft aims at leisure and recreation, typically in calm waters. Rafts will regularly feature a simple single air chamber and few functions.
The most expensive raft will possess more chambers and can add some other features, like an oar grip or a motor mount.
Yet, even the highest-quality raft is not safe to boat on the ocean. This vessel is not hard enough to endure the choppy ocean water. It is also too lightweight to endure the wind current on the sea.
Kayaks
One more inflatable leisure boat you should know is kayaks. It is small. It is also a single boat for a flexible and maneuvered purpose.
The kayak comes in all sizes. The largest one can reach the size of the traditional boat.
The kayak, still, does not support the use at sea. Although a few professional kayakers will often challenge ocean boating, the smaller vessel will be too small for the sea.
Inflatable Boats On The Ocean: Major Concerns
We propose that you know which type of inflatable boat is possible on the ocean. It is time to have a closer look at the advantages and disadvantages of inflatable boats at sea.
Advantages
Almost impossible to sink
A big edge for almost all inflatable boats is that high-quality boats often have many chambers. In other words, under normal conditions, if the inflatable fills up with much water or one air chamber sustains damage, the rest of the chambers will help the inflatable afloat.
Simple to launch and dock
In many situations, just one person can launch, dock, or load an inflatable boat. Light materials used to build up even the hardest inflatable boat still are considerably lighter than all traditional boats of comparable sizes.
Light and portable
The inflatable boat is easy to operate and goes with you to any destination.
Even the large RIB is also extremely lighter than those traditional hard boats. In other words, you will not need to prepare a specialized vehicle to carry a RIB. Traditional boats with similar sizes will possibly demand a tow package.
Budget-conscious
Most of us love saving money. It is the reason why we adore the economical way of an inflatable boat. In most situations, you can do similar activities like the traditional boat.
You can boat for leisure, fishing, or even simply float, with one inflatable at a small part of the price of one hard boat.
Furthermore, the expense of protection and maintenance is reasonably less for an inflatable boat than any other type of watercraft.
Comfort
Any inflatable boat has a large-body construction with an expanded feature. It will allow inflatable boats to be flexible and float on the water with more evenness than hard boats.
An inflatable boat with one softer bottom will not feel as choppy as a RIB that will produce similar movements to traditional boats.
Disadvantages
Time of setting up
You will need to inflate an inflatable boat. A large boat possibly requires one compressor. It would take time. Unlike a traditional boat that will allow you to start your voyage right away.
Open-air
Without rigid frames in almost all inflatables, it is unlikely to feature an enclosure or a cabin on the boat.
It means that there are more natural exposures than a traditional hard boat. The sunlight, the strong wind, the mist, even the splash from fishes and other inflatables possibly direct at you.
Regular repairs
An inflatable boat is a temporary usage. Almost all inflatable boats will suffer from pinhole leaks, small or large holes or tears, leaky valves, or some other problems.
Relying on the quality and construction of the inflatable boat, you can find the times of fixing as regularly as operating your boat. It is just a fraction of using and caring for a safe inflatable boat.
Size
Size may not matter to many inflatable boat owners. Still, some people hope they can go to the water with a much larger boat.
Despite improvements in constructions and qualities allowing the inflatable boat to become better, one inflatable yacht and ocean liner will never appear.
Inflatable Safe Boating Instructions
Aside from all the guidelines and recommendations mentioned above, we will discuss some more small tips. They can help to guarantee safety as much as possible when you take your boat to the sea.
Always carry one hand pump
You can never want it, but the hand pump is better to have. Even a bigger RIB can need to be inflated enough in emergencies to keep above the water, thanks to the hand pump.
If you do not like hand pumping, another choice is one battery-powered air pump. Yet, you will often need to check the battery capacity. It will help you prevent the battery from running out of power when you need it.
Emergency kit
All the boats that are more than some hundreds of meters from the shore should carry one emergency kit. The emergency kit should consist of one first aid kit, emergency flares, flashlights, and inflatable life jackets.
You can also put your phone with a backup power system in a waterproof package. Then, place them in the emergency kit.
Never drink while boating
In most situations, it is illegal for boat operators to drink alcohol. Sometimes, it is even banned to carry alcohol on board.
The United States Coast Guard warns that an inflatable boat operator cannot drink alcohol while staying on the river, lake, or ocean.
Related posts:
- Make A Sail For Inflatable Boat
- Repair A Puncture In An Inflatable Boat
- Long Shaft Outboard On An Inflatable Boat
Final Words
We have gone through a lot of useful information. But the most significant safety suggestion for safe boating on the ocean, and other water areas is to pay attention.
You should pay attention to surrounding areas, to the inflatable boat. Is there any hole or tear on the body? Is there something wrong with the construction?
Hopefully, this article has offered essential information to help you get inflatable safe boating on the ocean.
Reference: Inflatable boats and Ocean
