To avoid capsizing or swamping your boat, you should follow these key practices:
- Balance the load properly: Distribute passengers and cargo evenly to maintain stability and avoid overloading, which can compromise the boat’s balance and increase the risk of capsizing
- Adhere to capacity limits: Never exceed the recommended passenger or weight capacity of your vessel
- Operate at safe speeds: Drive at controlled speeds, especially when turning or navigating through rough water or wakes. Avoid sharp turns and reduce speed in bad weather or choppy seas
- Keep the bow into waves: When encountering large waves, keep the bow facing into them to prevent rolling or capsizing
- Stay low and centered: Advise passengers to stay low in the boat and maintain three points of contact when moving to keep the center of gravity low
- Avoid anchoring by the stern: Always secure the anchor to the bow, never the stern, as anchoring at the stern can cause swamping and flooding
- Check weather conditions: Avoid boating in adverse weather, high winds, or rough seas that increase the risk of capsizing
- Secure loose items: Make sure all gear is fastened so it doesn’t shift suddenly and destabilize the boat
- Use safety equipment: Ensure everyone wears lifejackets while underway and have emergency gear like EPIRBs, flares, and bilge pumps accessible in case of swamping or capsizing
Following these guidelines will significantly reduce the risk of capsizing or swamping and enhance safety on the water
