With summer here and long warm days ahead many people will be headed out on our numerous bodies of water to enjoy a day of boating.  Whether it is a lazy day on a sail boat, an adventure in a canoe or an exhilarating afternoon water skiing there is no better place to enjoy yourself than on the waterways of upstate New York.  Certainly though, many things should be considered before you set out.

Staying safe while on the water is a top concern and must be taken extremely seriously. Before even leaving the dock some very important pieces of safety equipment should be on board your vessel.  First and foremost, you need a life preserver, also known as a personal flotation device (PFD), for each person on board.  If you are aboard a motorized boat there are additional requirements like visual distress signals, fire extinguishers, appropriate running lights, anchor and line, and a horn or bell.  Each one of these items serves an important purpose should you run into any type of distress on the water.