The holiday season is upon us. We’re all looking for safe, enjoyable ways to spend time with the ones that matter most to us. On a boat ride, you can take in the beauty of the wintry scenery, all while being in a safe, open-air environment. That said, there’s more you can do to make your holiday boating safe than just practicing social distancing. The Maritime Documentation Center’s focus is always going to be Coast Guard documentation. That said, we strongly urge all vessel owners to boat safely during this holiday season and any other.
Enjoying the Scenery (Nearer the Shore)
No matter what shore you boat near, it has something gorgeous to take in during any season. In the summer, you can see lush trees, flowers, green grass, etc. During the fall, you can take in the foliage. In the winter, the austere barren trees and fields of snow can make for a literal winter wonderland. Another benefit to seeing the shore: many boaters, when they go out during the winter months, tend to stay closer to shore. That way, should the weather change or something occur, they’ll be that much closer to land. This is something to keep in mind as you head out with your friends and family.
Dress for the Water, Not the Air (but Stay Warm in the Air, Too)
Unless you’re doing some real “Polar Bear Club” kind of activity, you probably want to stay out of the freezing waters during the holiday season. That said, you may want to consider dressing as if you’re going to go into the water. This can keep you warm and safer no matter what. Dressing in layers is a good idea, too: outerwear that’s waterproof, with a wool sweater or some kind of fleece underneath is a great way to go. You’ll be dry and stay that way. Hats, insulated gloves, wool socks – that can keep your extremities warm, too.
Just as You React Differently to the Cold, So Does Your Boat
If you’re like most people, you react differently when you’re cold. Your boat does, too. Batteries can drain faster/be used up quicker in the cold. Having antifreeze with you might be a great idea, too. Bringing some cushions with you (or dry towels just for sitting on) can make for a more pleasant (and safer) experience for all involved.
Coast Guard Documentation in 2020, 2021, and Beyond
The Maritime Documentation Center works year-round. So, if you want to get your documentation taken care of while you’re cooped up inside, now’s the time to do it. Over the years, we’ve had so many vessel owners tell us about how they used our site to not only get their documentation done well ahead of spring and summer but to remind themselves that the warm, sunny seasons really aren’t that far away. To learn more about what we offer, you can head to our site or call us at (800) 535-8570.
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