5 speedboat safety tips you need to know

The most important part of heading out on your speedboat is staying safe, so it goes without saying, you should always read up on the safety tips before your trip. That being said, we still want you to have fun, just safely!

Read our all important speedboat safety tips to help you prepare for your day out on the water.

1. Wear a lifejacket

You might be sick of reading over and over again ‘wear a lifejacket’ but we can’t stress enough how important they are. Your first check before every outing is you have you lifejackets. Don’t forget, lifejackets can expire - to find out how to check this, read our blog When Was the Last Time Your Lifejacket Was Checked.

2. Plan ahead

Don’t get us wrong, we love spontaneity as much as the next person, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be prepared. Before beginning your adventure, check the weather and current conditions for the area where you’re heading, as strong winds can make boating very dangerous, so it’s best to reschedule for another day.

3. Keep people informed

We also advise, especially if heading out alone, to tell people where you’ll be and what time you expect to be home. Keep regular contact with these people throughout the day so they know that if you don’t respond, to go looking for you.

4. Don’t drink and drive

You wouldn’t risk it in a car, so why risk it on a boat? It’s just as dangerous, if not more so, to drink alcohol when driving a boat because the effects become much stronger from certain conditions, for example wind, vibrations, noise and sun exposure.

5. Required boating safety equipment

Required boating safety equipment: 

• Lifejacket
• Fire extinguisher
• Visual distress signal, e.g. handheld smoke signals
• Sound-producing device, e.g whistle
• Backfire flame control
• Appropriate vessel lighting

Specialist speedboat insurance through GJW Direct

If you're thinking about speedboat safety, you may want to consider specialist speedboat insurance for extra reassurance when cruising on the water. Get an instant online quote here to protect your speedboat against theft and damage, and yourself against third-party claims.