Boating with children
Many children love boating and other water activities. You can improve their confidence – and your peace of mind – by investing some time in training and education before you hit the water.
Always keep an eye on kids around water.
Please note that we do not recommend taking infants on board a recreational boat.
- Ensure that every child under 10 wears a lifejacket at all times on deck. Lifejackets should be correctly fitted, and a crotch strap will help it stay on.
- Teach children about stability, getting on and off the boat, and distributing the load evenly.
- Show them around the vessel – including the location of safety gear, first aid kit and other equipment.
- Teach them emergency procedures, particularly that if the boat capsizes everyone should stay with it or an easily seen floating object.
- Encourage them to learn to swim and practise positions for cold water immersion.
- If they are old enough, show children how to use distress signalling equipment in an emergency.
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