Outdoor activities and travel can come with a lot of warning signals and signs to look out for. For example, if you’re spending your time camping in the outdoors, then you might want to look out for any wild animals, or even dangerous poison plants. For offshore fishing trips, the safety concerns are equally as high, as there are a lot of things to look out for when you’re spending time at sea, on a boat with individuals. There is a precise checklist of criteria that you need to go over and make sure that you cross off every item on that list before going on your offshore fishing trip. But if you are not sure what that criterion is, then here are 6 ways how you can be safe on an offshore fishing trip.
#6- Plan Ahead
The first thing you want to do to ensure your safety trip is safe and sound is to plan ahead before time. Check the weather forecast for the day you plan on going fishing and make sure that the weather is nice and safe, and that the sea won’t be rocked by winds and rain. That way you ensure that you are set for smooth sailing.
#5- Don’t Fish Alone
Like any outdoor trip or activity, it’s best to have at least someone there with you throughout it all. Even if it’s just one person, it doesn’t matter! What’s important is that there is someone to help with the rigorous activities and necessities that come with fishing. Dealing with the sails, or reeling in the fish, or manning the ship, all those activities are a two-person job -minimum. So going on a fishing trip as a group really helps guarantee if whatever problem arises, that you are fully prepared to handle it.
#4- Be Fully Prepared
Before you set sail and go on your offshore fishing trip, you need to make sure you’re fully prepared for spending time in the middle of the sea. That means packing all the essentials for your trip. These essentials are fishing gear, sun protection like sunscreen and sunglasses, protective gear, life jackets, and bug spray. You’ll also want to protect your face against the sun, wind, and the elements by wearing a fishing gaiter. But essential gear also means first aid kits; a good amount of water, flares, and anything else you think might come in handy at sea. The best rule to apply for sailing is to always be over-prepared so don’t worry about packing extra luggage, as long as you think you might need those items on your trip. This is especially important if there are kids on this trip, then you might want to consider their needs as well!
#3- Have a Professional Onboard
Smiling and being at sea is not an easy thing. It requires professionalism that is acquired through years of practice and application. Professionals like Captain Rich Smith will tell you all about the trials and tribulations of being at sea. This is why it’s important to have a professional onboard who knows what they’re doing, and who can guide you throughout the trip, and solve a problem if a problem occurs. This could be anything from someone suffering an injury onboard to someone falling overboard, to problems with the ship itself, or just sailing and driving the ship, and making sure you’re headed in the right direction. These are all things a captain or a professional will know how to do.
#2- Let Someone Know You’re Setting Out Sailing
If you want to be extra safe and precocious then tell a friend or family member that you’re setting out sailing and when they can expect you to be back. That way if anything goes wrong at sea, and for whatever reason, you can’t reach land, then you’ll have someone who knows about your whereabouts, and to ask about you if something unusual occurs.
#1- Read Up All You Can About Fishing Beforehand
Lastly, before you set out to sail, try to read as much as you can about fishing beforehand, just so you can get an idea of what to expect. This is a good way to avoid sustaining any injuries or accidents on the boat, or while pulling on a potential catch!
