ASK THE EXPERT: Boating With Kids
Published: Tuesday, April 10, 2018
By: Cary R. Wiener, President of Pantaenius America Ltd.
Cary R. Wiener is President of Pantaenius America Ltd. and a maritime lawyer who has worked on many famous cases, including the Exxon Valdez. He is licensed in all fifty states and is passionate about safety on the water.
Question:
We are lifelong boating enthusiasts with three young children. We’ve taken them on short trips close to shore, but they are begging to join us on longer cruises. What steps can we take to assure their safety and comfort—and our peace of mind?
Answer:
From an overnight freshwater sail to a year-long deep-sea cruise—and everything in between—every time you take your kids aboard your yacht, you sow the seeds for a lifetime love of boating.
And that’s a very good thing.
According to a recent survey conducted by Impulse Research Corporation, nurturing this passion offers your children a boatload of benefits. Researchers have found, for example, that kids who boat tend to be:
- Healthier and more physically fit than non-boaters
- Outgoing, optimistic, and more prone to becoming leaders in life
- Self-confident and great problem-solvers, traits that come from learning a wide range of useful skills
- Closer to their families, having spent quality time together on onboard
But whenever you hit the water with kids aboard, you need to take some extra steps to assure “smooth sailing.”
Safety First
To avoid trouble and injuries during your excursions, be sure to:
Make life jackets mandatory—it’s the law! All children onboard should wear a USCG-approved life jacket that fits properly, will support their weight (check labels), and has a collar that will turn them face up should they take a tumble overboard. Choose PFDs that have handles on them and are brightly colored for high visibility. It’s also a good idea to attach a marine-grade whistle to each life jacket, and teach your kids how to blow it in case of an emergency.
Practice swimming. It’s important that boating kids respect water, not fear it. If you’ll be cruising in deep water, it’s best that all youngsters aboard know how to float, tread water, and be able to swim at least 100 yards. Let your children know that swimming in open water is not the same as swimming in a pool. They also need to be aware of uneven surfaces, river currents, ocean undertow, and changing weather. Remind them, too, to stay well clear of propellers and not to dive into oceans, lakes, or rivers because you never know how deep the water is or what might be lurking under the surface.
Review the rules. Just as you have rules at home and for riding in the car, your vessel should be no exception. Kids need to be well versed in the basics of safe boating: keeping at least two-thirds of their body inside the boat at all times and no running on board, since decks can be slippery. Also practice man-overboard drills together as a family at the start of every outing.
Familiarize them with the radio. With the exception of toddlers, everyone aboard your boat should know how to call for help in case of an emergency.
Keep Them Comfy
A miserable child can rock the mood on your boat in a heartbeat, so be sure to take precautions to:
Avoid nasty sunburns. The sun is stronger on the water, and kids have delicate skin that burns quickly. Pack plenty of water-resistant, multi-spectrum sunblock that’s rated at least SPF 30, and reapply at least every two hours. Do the same with lip balm that contains sunscreen, which also works great for sensitive areas like noses, cheeks, and ears, as well as lips.
Prevent heat exhaustion and the shivers. Wearing life jackets on a sunny day makes kids hotter. Bring lots of water, juice, and cool treats—such as ice pops—aboard to keep youngsters hydrated. On the flip side, keep in mind that when kids get wet, they get cold much faster than adults do and that, even on hot days, the wind from a moving boat can quickly chill a child. So, pack extra clothes and nice, big towels to keep them warm.
Keep young bodies fueled. Growing bodies get hungry often, so pack lots of healthy snacks: trail mix, fresh fruit, yogurt cups, cheese sticks. But, go easy on letting them consume too much sugar, since the last thing you want in tight quarters is hyper kids!
Add these items to your First Aid kit. Kids are more susceptible to motion sickness than adults are, so have Dramamine or other anti-nausea medications on hand, as well as ginger ale, 7-Up, pretzels, and crackers to settle young stomachs. If you’re cruising the coast, carry vinegar to treat jellyfish stings. Other must-haves include waterproof bandages and a pair of surgical tweezers for removing splinters.
Put Them to Work
When you give your children responsibilities on board, you create teachable moments. Plus, everyone working together as a crew instills a sense of family camaraderie.
Even toddlers can become honorary first mates by helping to carry small gear aboard, assisting with cleanup after meals, and acting as spotters when you’re pulling skiers or tubers. Or, give them a pair of binoculars and charge them with being on the lookout for wildlife or ships on the horizon.
Adolescents and teens can tackle more complex jobs—like securing all the gear on the boat, helping to set your float plan, preparing meals, checking current and expected weather conditions on the VHF radio, and even helping you drive and dock.
The Fun Factor
When youngsters enjoy yachting, they’ll want to repeat the experience. So, if you’re casting off for more than a day trip, make sure you have ways to keep your kids happily occupied after dark or during inclement weather and down time hours. That way, all aboard can enjoy their time on the water. A few suggestions:
Cater to your kids’ interests. What activities do they enjoy most offshore? If they’re avid readers, pack a stack of paperbacks. Builders? Buy a stash of mini-Lego kits. Word game freaks? Pick up the thickest book of word puzzles you can find. Gamers? Fill a box with compact board games and load a tablet with their favorite video games.
Shake things up. Most kids crave routine and find comfort in knowing what will happen next. But, be sure to build a few surprises into your itinerary to keep your voyage exciting. These can be as simple as unplanned visits to an island to explore and feed the wildlife, impromptu water balloon fights on deck, or family fishing tournaments with small prizes awarded for the biggest catch.
Consider letting them bring a friend along. An only child gets less bored with a BFF aboard, and siblings tend to bicker less when you add other kids to the mix.
Above all, remember that it’s the journey—not the destination—that matters most. The goal here is expose your kids to fresh air, sunshine, marine life, on-the-water adventures, and quality family time. So, stay safe, chill out, and make some memories you can all enjoy for years to come!
Do you have a question for our expert about boat/yacht insurance or maritime law? If so, please send your inquiries to [email protected].
tags: Boating 101, Kids & Pets, safety
