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Cold Weather Boating Safety

Boaters north of the Mason-Dixon Line confine most of their boating to the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day but by taking a few precautions and arming yourself with a few facts, it’s safe to boat in cold weather. Boating in autumn up north can be spectacular for activities like leaf-peeping. It will also open up new horizons for boaters in the south who want to learn how to boat year-round. 
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Wear a Life Jacket

When boating in cold water, the most important item to wear is a life jacket. While inflatable life jackets are good for warm weather boating, a better choice when the water is cold is a type III jacket that’s most often used for watersports. In addition to buoyancy, it also offers extra insulation for boaters…in or out of the water. Every life jacket should also have a plastic whistle for signaling.
 

Dress for Water Temperature, not Air Temperature

It’s easy to forget about the water temperature when the first warm day of spring hits. Unless you are doing watersports or swimming, no boater expects to end up in the water but it’s a contingency you have to plan for when the water is cold. 
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What to Wear

  • Dress in layers because it will be colder when running and warmer when at idle or rest. 
  • Synthetic-blend undergarments will wick away moisture from the skin’s surface.
  • A windbreaker for the outer layer helps trap body heat.
  • Gloves, a warm hat and fuzzy socks protect the extremities.
  • Wool is a great fabric to wear because its curly fibers preserve body heat even when wet.
  • Synthetic-blend pants like sweatpants covered by rain pants provide extra warmth.  

Avoid Wearing:

  • Cotton undergarments because they hold moisture against the skin, which accelerates heat loss.
  • Jeans — because they are made of denim cotton — have straight fibers that don’t trap body heat.
  • Heavy boots that can weigh you down if you end up in the water.
     

What to do if you Suddenly end up in Cold Water

Understanding what happens to the body when it’s suddenly immersed in cold water can save your life. The first thing to expect is a sudden, violent reaction called cold water shock that causes rapid uncontrolled gasping for air. Knowing ahead of time this will only last a minute or two can help avoid panic. This reaction makes it imperative to wear a life jacket because if you don’t have extra buoyancy, you can go beneath the surface and gasping can make you inhale water, which can quickly cause drowning. 
 

The 1-10-1 Rule Myth

This rule states you have one minute to get breathing under control, 10 minutes of useful movement and one hour before hypothermia sets in. While this might be the average time for each, it’s an oversimplification. A lot depends on the person and the temperature of the water. A skinny person in near-freezing water might take more than a minute to get breathing under control and the last two phases can happen more rapidly.
 
All Bayliners have a boarding ladder and if the boat is close, immersed passengers should try to use it to reboard as soon as possible. Never try to swim to shore because the radiating effect of cold water moving against the body can cause incapacitation after a short distance. If you can’t reboard quickly, conserve heat by curling into a fetal position or huddling with other passengers. Use the whistle on the life jacket to signal for help. A cell phone in a waterproof bag stored in your pocket could save your life.
 

Float Plan 

In addition to letting someone on shore know where you are going and when you will return, make sure a least one passenger knows the rudiments of operating a boat should the driver fall overboard. Always wear a kill switch.
Boating in cold weather can be enjoyable if the proper precautions are taken. Go slower and be safe