Safe Boating Tips for Fourth of July

The Fourth of July holiday is finally here, and we know you are probably just as excited as we are about getting your boat out on the water and enjoying a day or weekend floating and cruising around. Of course, there are also thousands of others who are just as excited as you and will be out on the water as well. It’s crucial that you make safety a priority as you are boating on the Lake of the Ozarks, so we have a few tips to help you stay safe and have a great boating day.


Safety Precautions Before You Hit the Water

With a few steps before you even get out on the water, you can save yourself some trouble when you are far away from home, and your vehicle! Before you get started on your boat trip, make sure you create a float plan and leave it with a friend or relative. It’s important that someone knows where you are headed and when you’ll be arriving back on shore. You’ll also want to check your fuel levels, your engine, check for electrical issues and test the radio and communication devices. Double check that all of the lights on your watercraft are working and in place. This may seem obvious, but check the local weather and see what will be happening when you’re planning your trip. While you can’t plan for everything, and unexpected storms can always pop up, you can know about them ahead of time and save yourself a lot of trouble. Finally, make sure that you have an emergency evacuation plan, and plan to go over it with all of your passengers.

What to Bring With You

There are a few items that can be vital to the success of your trip, so take very detailed measures to make sure that you have these on board before you ever leave the dock.
  • Boat certificate and registration.
  • Towing policy paperwork (if you have one).
  • Personal flotation device (PFD) —with protective packaging removed—for each passenger.
  • Charged and functioning fire extinguisher.
  • Fully-stocked boating emergency/survival kit.

Safety Tips for When You’re On the Water

Finally, it’s important to stay safe while you’re on the water, and we have a few tips to help you do just that. Make sure that you do NOT exceed the number of passengers that are safely allowed on your vessel. You’ll also want to make sure that all of your passengers have the proper, seated positions on the boat while it is in motion. Children need to wear a personal floatation device (PFD) at all times. Be aware that the water patrol is looking for this, and will stop you if you have children on board that are not wearing one. If the adults that are board don’t want to wear a flotation device while they are on your boat, you should at least keep them accessible. Did you know that you are supposed to shut off the engine while passengers are loading and unloading for your watercraft? This includes while you’re engaging in recreational activities like waterskiing, wakeboarding, and swimming.


Boating at the Lake of the Ozarks

Do you own your own boat? If not, the team at Village Marina would love to assist you in finding your dream watercraft! From large boats to wave runners, we have it all. If you don’t have a boat, and you want to go out for the Fourth of July holiday, don’t forget to call BomBay Boat Rental. They are our sister company and provide the best boat rentals at the Lake of the Ozarks. When you’re out on the water and you and your party begin to get hungry, don’t forget to head on down to mile marker 3 for the best food at the Lake of the Ozarks! The Boathouse by Village Marina is newly remodeled and would love to serve you. Happy Fourth of July from our team at Village Marina, we hope it’s a safe one!

Premier boat dealership for Cobalt Boats, Carver Yachts, and Four Winns. 
107 Village Marina Rd • Lake Ozark, MO 65026

Showroom: 573-348-3433

Marina: 573-365-1800


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Location: Lake Ozark, MO, USA

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