Stepping onto your new yacht is an exciting moment for anyone – but it won’t be long before you realize that yacht ownership comes with many responsibilities. If you want to enjoy your time on the water with your family and friends, you must learn how to use your yacht safely.

Here are some important safety tips every yacht owner should know.

Check the Forecast

The first thing any yacht owner should do before starting a day on the water. Adverse weather can make for rough seas, and this can spell disaster for inexperienced boaters. Make sure you know what do expect on your outing – and even if the forecast calls for clear skies, make sure you have the tools and the know-how to manage a sudden shift in the weather.

Always Wear a Life Jacket

According to the Coast Guard, there were over 4,000 boating accidents in 2019 alone. Anyone, even someone with years of experience, can become a victim of a boating accident. Therefore, it is very important that you and anyone who travels on your yacht wears a life vest whenever you’re on the water.

Tune into VHF Channels 13 and 16

When you’re out on your yacht, it’s almost inevitable that you will share waterways with working vessels. As a recreational boat, you need to steer clear of these ships… but how will you know where they are? Tune your marine radio to VHF channel 13 or 16. Tugboats and commercial ships use these channels, so you can use them to keep tabs on your fellow vessels (and get help in an emergency).

Use a Carbon Monoxide Detector

Your yacht has an internal combustion engine, which means it produces carbon monoxide. Under normal circumstances, this isn’t a problem – but if carbon monoxide levels become too high on your yacht, you and your passengers could become seriously ill or die within minutes. Keep a carbon monoxide detector on your yacht to alert you if levels become too high and learn the signs of carbon monoxide poisoning so you notice signs of trouble.

Get Regular Checkups

Your yacht, much like your car, requires regular checkups and maintenance to ensure it remains in tiptop shape. As a new yacht owner, it’s easy to forget about this upkeep, so make sure you schedule your checkups as soon as possible so yacht maintenance becomes a habit.
If you follow these safety tips (and take a boat safety course or two), you and your loved ones can enjoy your yacht and all the fun and sun it brings!

Get Comfy

So now that safety is in order…it’s time to get COMFORTABLE…in style, of course. Your yacht deserves star treatment and you and your guests deserve a lovely night’s rest on the water. Our mattresses are handcrafted in Huntington Beach, California. We actually custom-fit to your specific boat mode. Ordering is easy and designing is fun! We even offer video design consultations.