Summerset Boat Lifts: life jackets Lake of the Ozarks

Thursday, May 17, 2018

National Safe Boating Week is May 19-25

Sponsored by the National Safe Boating Council, National Safe Boating Week promotes boating and life jacket safety to boaters everywhere. The council believes that wearing a life jacket is the simplest way to ensure the safety of you and your loved ones while enjoying a day on the water. National Safe Boating Week, May 19-25, helps kick off the season long campaign to promote safety while boating. Learn more about the national safe boating campaign "Wear It" below.

The National Safe Boating Campaign

The National Safe Boating Campaign is a worldwide effort focused on responsible boating, encouraging boaters to always wear a life jacket while on the water. While it's tempting to not wear a life jacket while on the water, accidents happen in an instant. Boating safety advocates recommend that all boaters and passengers not only have a life jacket, but wear it at all times while boating. Make it a habit and always wear a life jacket.

Life Jacket Fit and Care

Life jackets are available for every boating activity! Modern life jackets are much more comfortable, lightweight and stylish than the bulky orange style most boaters know. Find out which style is best for your boating activity with this quiz: http://www.safeboatingcampaign.com/quiz/.

Make Sure It Fits

Not only is it important to wear a life jacket when boating, but you want to make sure it fits properly. You don't want your life jacket too large or too small; it should fit snug. Life jackets for adults do not work children. A few things to remember about life jackets:

Make sure it is properly fastened and that all straps, buckles or zippers are secure.
Hold your arms straight up over your head. Then ask a friend to grasp the tops of the arm openings and gently pull up. Ensure that it is not coming off!

Life Jacket Care

Caring for your life jacket is also important. Follow these tips below:

Use your life jacket properly.
Ensure there's no rips, waterlogging or mildew on your life jacket.
Be sure to thoroughly dry your life jacket after use.
Hand wash your life jacket in mild detergent.
Store your life jacket in a dry place when you're not boating.

Refer to your life jacket's owner's manual for specific maintenance requirements.

Recreational Boating Statistics

The figures below are from the U.S. Coast Guard's 2016 Recreational Boating Statistics. This is the latest record of reported boating accidents in the U.S.

80% of boating deaths are due to drowning
83% of victims were NOT wearing a life jacket
2/3 of drowning victims are good swimmers
4,463 reported accidents in 2016 (a 7.3% increase from 2015)
701 reported deaths in 2016 (a 12% increase from 2015)
2,903 reported injuries in 2016 (an 11.1% increase from 2015)
$49 million dollars in approximate damage to property as a result of recreational boating accidents
77% of deaths occurred on boats where the operator had no boating safety instruction
15% of deaths where the primary cause was known as alcohol as the leading factor
1 in 3 of all boating injuries occurred in boat operators over the age of 35

Wearing a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket is the simplest life-saving strategy for recreational boaters.

Summerset Boat Lifts hopes you have a safe and fun boating season! We are here to help ensure your boat lift is in proper working condition, keeping you and your boat safe. For all your Lake of the Ozarks boat lift service needs, give us a call at 573-348-5073. Our remote control systems for our lifts are another way to ensure safety for your and your family while boating. Plus, you can pick up life jackets and other boating accessories at our Camdenton location!

Summerset Boat Lifts

1165 Jeffries Road Osage Beach, MO 65065

573-348-5073

Email:info@summersetboatlifts.com

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Tuesday, April 26, 2016

10 Accessories Every Boat Lover Needs

Boating season is finally upon us and Summerset Boat Lifts is here to get your ready for a great day out on the water. Not only do we offer the best boat lifts at the Lake of the Ozarks, but we also carry many of the boating accessories you would need for a great boating experience. Here are just a few of the great items we offer at our retail store:

1. Life Jackets

Not only should you have life jackets on board your watercraft for safety reasons, but Missouri law actually requires boaters to have a life jacket for each occupant on the boat. Children under the age of 7 are required to wear one at all times on the boat, unless they are in the cabin area. At Summerset Boat Lifts, we offer blue life jackets, red life jackets and even life jackets for your furry friends!

2. Ropes

When it comes time to dock your boat, ropes can home in handy. From tying your boat off to guiding it in the right direction, ropes are an important accessory for any boater to own. In addition, you can also use ropes to tie items down to your boat or tie a tube off the back of it. We offer a variety of different rope options in our retail store and have the ability to order even more varieties if needed.

3. Harbor Cushions

While they attach to your dock, the purpose of harbor cushions is to actually protect your boat more than just the dock. You can attach these cushions to the corners of your docks, so that if you hit the dock, your boat will be deflected away. Not only do we sell these cushions, but we can also install them on your dock for you.

4. Dock Bumpers

In addition to the harbor cushions, you should also consider dock bumpers. These can be installed on the posts that hold the roof of your dock up and come in many different sizes. We want to do everything we can to help you protect your boat, dock and boat lift, to keep you enjoying the Lake all season long!

5. Boat Fenders

Boat fenders, or bumpers, are used to absorb kinetic energy of a boat so that neither the boat nor what it is bumping against, a dock for example, is damaged. Boat fenders are an important accessory to have on board. They come in particularly handy when you're docking in a space that is not yours and maybe doesn't have harbor cushions or dock bumpers installed. For example, when you visit a waterfront restaurant or gas dock, you can pull your boat in knowing that the bumpers will protect you from possible damage to both your boat and their dock.

6. Ski Ropes

No matter what your favorite water activity is, Summerset Boat Lifts probably has an accessory for it! In addition to our tie ropes, we also have ski ropes, complete with the nice handle for grip. Whether you're an amateur or a professional skier, we can hook you up with a great rope so you can enjoy a day out on the lake.

7. Water Toys

If you have children, a day on the water just isn't complete without some water toys! We offer slingshots, water balloons and more in our retail store. Bring the kids by to check out our selection or grab a few items to surprise them.

8. Dock Lockers

Once you buy all these great accessories from us, you're going to need some place to store them. At Summerset Boat Lifts, we offer a variety of different dock lockers. Choose from horizontal or vertical options, small and large. Keep all your boating accessories both dry and safe inside one of our dock lockers.

9. Remote Control

With the rough waters we have here at the Lake of the Ozarks, you don't want to leave your boat down in the water all day while you're out on the Lake. Letting it sit down in those waters could lead to some major damage to your Lake of the Ozarks boat lift. Instead, consider investing in a Firstmate remote control for your boat lift. With the remote, you are able to raise your lift up out of the water from your boat. The best part is you don't even have to sit there and watch it raise, as it also has an automatic shut off.

10. Wet Steps

If you have a dock, you probably have some type of ladder to help get yourself out of the water and back onto the dock. The great thing about wet steps though, is that rather than just a simple ladder, they act like a stair case, making pulling yourself up out of the water so much easier. In addition, they swivel and can even swivel all the way up onto the dock, so they're out of the way and don't take up any of your precious slip space.

For all Lake of the Ozarks boat accessories, check out Summerset Boat Lifts' retail location in Camdenton, just off Old Route Hwy 5 about 4 1/2 miles north of the square. You can reach our Camdenton location by calling 573-873-5073. While you're out on the water this season, remember Summerset Boat Lifts for all your boat lift needs and more!