iH YYSEN u “ i\ lo Bits Safety Sense On The Water (NAPSA)—If you’re planning to head out to your favorite waterways on a boat or personal watercraft you may want to first navigate your way through a safety checklist. Sure you've got all the legally mandated equipment and supplies aboard your boat, but do you have the most important item for a fun andsafe family boating weekend? According to familyfunonthe water.com, good old fashion common sense and good judgment go a long ways towards making your time on the water safe and fun for your family and those around you. Here’s a list of smart boating practices you and your family can use to make sure your time on the water is safe and fun: Always operate at safe speeds within your ability and obey posted limits. Conditions on the water can change quickly and speeds that were appropriate just minutes before can be hazardous as wind and choppick up. * Keep a safe distance away from people, objects and other boats. You should constantly scan for swimmers, windsurfers, objects under the waterline and other boats. * Be especially careful when scanning for others prior to mak- Checkinto a boater safety course before you start making waves. Somesafety courses are free. ing turns. Make sure your turns are predicable so that other boats understand the direction you are going. Be sure you understand the “rules of the road” when it comes to passing and overtaking other vessels. Information on the rules of the road is available from the U.S. Coast Guard at www.nav cen.uscg. gov. Whether you’re skippering a watercraft or a larger open-bow boat, using common sense, good judgment and courtesy while on the water is your safest bet for a fun-filled day on the water. For a free online boater safety course that you can take with your family members, visit Yamaha’s H20 Info Center at www.yamahamotor.com.
