Before setting sail, take care of safety!
To ensure safety on the water before sailing, every motor boat, like any other watercraft, must be equipped with rescue equipment. These include lifebuoys, life jackets, floating cushions, and vests.
The number of accessories must correspond to the number of people on board. It is important that all rescue equipment is factory-made, not homemade. You should not skimp on your safety and that of your loved ones. It is better to paint these accessories bright orange (if they are sold unpainted). This way they will be more visible on the water to rescuers. Pay attention to the materials they are made from. They must be resistant to gasoline and other petroleum products.
By the way, the navigation inspectorate has the right to inspect your rescue equipment and check its compliance with all requirements, namely whether it provides adequate buoyancy.
However, it is not enough to simply buy and put the above accessories in a motor boat. They also need to be properly maintained so that they serve you for a long time and do not let you down at a critical moment. So, what rules of maintenance does every self-respecting owner of a Kolibri boat need to know?
Before setting out on a water trip, make sure that each participant in your voyage tries on a life jacket and checks that all fastenings work. Even better if you check the jacket's ability to support the weight of each traveler. Crew members who are poor swimmers or cannot swim at all should wear vests at all times while in the boat.
To extend the life of rescue gear and protect it from rotting, after each outing on the water, it is necessary to dry it thoroughly and only then store it away. Never store the gear near the boat motor! This can lead to irreversible consequences. Also avoid putting strong pressure on these items. For example, warn all passengers that sitting on them is strictly prohibited. This way you will avoid damaging the buoyant filler contained in all rescue equipment. On small motor boats with a capacity of no more than two people, it is enough to have only vests or life jackets. Other larger vessels must also be equipped with a lifebuoy.
And of course, rescue items are not for entertainment. Do not use them for swimming and do not let others do so.