Over the course of time, humans have invented ways of navigating and harnessing the resources that the water bodies present. Fishing is not only fun (when done as a sporting activity), but also very profitable when done for economical purposes.
Although fishing has a lot of benefits, it poses immense danger when weather conditions are unfavorable. Marine accidents such as boats capsizing are common in fishing, and one needs to make the prepare for them early enough. Experienced fishermen also prepare for inconveniences such as running low on fuel whilst in the deep waters.
To understand how you can avoid marine accidents and inconveniences, it is necessary to be aware of the various safety equipment available, and how they help save life and reduce chances of accidents and losses.
Radio Call Receivers
Military personnel and other security officers use radio call receivers rather than phones. Unlike phones, radio call uses radio waves to facilitate communications. Radio calls comes in handy when a boat runs out of fuel or experiences a technical glitch whilst at sea.
Cell phones are not dependable in deep-water fishing due to occasional poor reception. Therefore, having a fully functional radio call receiver will ensure that you have a reliable way of getting help.
The radio call receiver allows you to tune to particular frequencies and contact the channels of different people on land and on other boats. The majority of the modern fishing boats have the radio call receiver pre-installed. However, if your boat doesn’t have one, you can make an order from your favorite online fishing tackle shop and have it installed on your boat.
Ropes, Floating Tubes, and Life Boats
Ropes are important for attaching the floating tubes to your boat. Therefore, you need ropes with a lot of tensile strength as one is at risk of drowning if they went overboard. Floating tube help anyone in water to stay afloat.
Sometimes, larger commercial boats carrying out large-scale fishing activities tend to overstay in the sea. To cater for any emergencies, the big boat carries small boats with it.
Life Jackets and Distress Beacons
When a boat hits an iceberg or gets scrapped underneath by a rock, water seepage will eventually sink it. Such extreme situations will require rapid actions.
Lifejackets are one of the most important safety equipment that your boat must have. A life jacket is worn on your upper body, and just in case you find yourself in the water, you can float on the water’s surface from the chest up. The lifejackets have reflective strips that glow when light fall on them, making it easier for rescuers to locate you.
A distress beacon is a form of signal that is issued to alert rescuers or other boats about a situation. The distress beacon can be a flare that is fired high up and lights up the sky over your position.
A flashing light signal is also used as a distress beacon. Modern technology has seen the development of GPS locators, which also assist to pin the exact location of the boat in distress.
First Aid Kits and Fire Extinguishers
Injuries are bound to occur whenever you are fishing. An injury can vary in severity, from a small scratch against the fishing hook to a deep fish-bite. Therefore, you need a first aid kit onboard to help reduce the chances of wound infections or death resulting from excess blood loss.
Most of the boats used for fishing run their engines with gasoline, which is highly flammable. In order to cater for any fire accidents, it is advisable to always have a functioning fire extinguisher on board.
Conclusion
Fishing safety starts even before hitting the waters. You should have a clear floating plan that plainly dictates where you are going to fish, and the expected fishing duration. In case of prolonged stay, a fishing plan will guide your fishing colleagues at the shore on how to find you. Always ensure that your boat is fitted with all the necessary safety equipment before setting sail.