Small boats and young children: How to stay safe on the water

Having children along for the ride can still be a rewarding, memory-making experience, for both them and you. Once kids are factored into your life, there's no need to hang up the rods and leave the boat in the shed collecting cobwebs.

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One of the most difficult parts of parenting is being time-poor. Boating is a great way to spend quality family time together and teach our kids some new skills at the same time.

When you have kids on board though, you must adhere to some important safety measures. 

The best thing I have found when taking kids out is to have another adult on board to help.

Having an extra pair of hands can make all the difference in having an enjoyable day out rather than quite a stressful one, especially if you have a tiller outboard like mine where you must drive the boat from the rear.

Boating always has risks, so it is always sensible to have somebody be able to take over from you if possible. If this isn’t achievable, it is a good idea to stay within other people's sight.

If fishing during the day, most estuaries will generally have another boat within sight. 

My number one safety tip involving kids is, of course, lifejackets.

However, you can't use just any life jacket on a child. The risk is that children can easily slip out of adult PFDs, so it is extremely important that the child wears a lifejacket that suits their age, weight and body.

If your child doesn’t fit an approved lifejacket yet, this is an indication that they aren’t ready to be safely taken out. I recommend using a lifejacket that also has a crotch strap attached to ensure it stays fitted correctly.

The one question I am most often asked is how old does my baby have to be before I can take them boating?

There isn’t any straight answer. However, it is recommended that you don’t take a child aged less than a year old out boating. If you choose to, please do so with extreme caution.

Different states and territories have slightly different regulations when it comes to children, but the general rule is that your child must be securely fitted into an appropriate-size lifejacket whenever the boat is under power, including when you're warming up the engine at the boat ramp.

The safest place for babies and young children to sit is on your lap, with you holding them. Older children are okay to sit by themselves if they can properly understand the importance of sitting down and holding on. Make sure they keep hands and feet in the boat at all times.  

When you are out boating with kids, particularly if the sun is out, make sure you have a source of shade.

A bimini top is essential when taking children out. If you do not have access to one, a large beach umbrella would be an alternative.

Lightweight clothing, a towel, hat and sunscreen are all must-haves on board to keep kids protected. It also is important to keep hydrated. I recommend packing a separate water bottle for each child and encouraging them to keep drinking whilst you are out.

Pack sufficient food for the day including snacks for the kids. They will not have the patience with fishing that you do, and will easily get bored. I promise if they have something to snack on, it will buy you a few more minutes of fishing time!

Follow these few safety tips and enjoy a fun, safe day out with the family. Always check local boating rules to ensure your child is wearing the correct lifejacket, and when it should be worn.