Thursday, January 8, 2015

What Every Vacationer Should Know About Boat Rentals In Bermuda

By Enid Hinton


Bermuda offers visitors a wealth of natural beauty and a fascinating culture and history just waiting to be explored. One of the best ways to see these sites is by taking a boat tour, either lead by a guide or as an independent excursion. People who enjoy the flexibility of mapping out their own journey and setting their own schedule should consider looking into private boat rentals in Bermuda.

Getting together a group of friends and heading out on the open water to enjoy the breathtaking scenery of this enchanting island makes for a memorable holiday experience. When renting a boat, people have the opportunity to spend as much or as little time as they like at each spot, and they also have a wider range of areas they can check out, which may not be included on a tour.

Safety rules to protect both the boaters and the craft will need to be observed. Usually each rental business has their own list of rules and there will also be some local regulations which apply to all users which must be followed in order to keep the waters a safe place for everyone.

Renters will be presented with several papers that must be signed before they can use the agency's watercraft. Signing these forms indicates the user's agreement to abide by all safety rules and not operate the boat at speeds exceeding 5 knots in all areas designated "no wake zones" where it is prohibited to accelerate boats in such a manner that waves are created. The consumption of alcohol should also be avoided while driving watercraft.

It's always best to only rent boats from registered, licensed companies. Consulting Bermuda's Department of Tourism is a reliable way to find out which companies are professional and ensure a safe experience for their customers. Online, one may also come across some customer reviews for helpful feedback.

A company representative will go over all of the boat's features and explain how its instrument panel and equipment works to renters just to be certain they understand before setting sail. Renters who do not feel confident in their ability to operate the boat should opt to hire a local captain for this job instead, not only will the experience be safer, but it also gives customers a chance to learn more about the island from a seasoned pro.

It's also prudent to verify that all essential safety equipment such as life jackets and a first aid kit, is present, complete, and fully operational before one set sail. There must also be a functional cell phone on board with emergency numbers for the local marina and police. Having a basic working knowledge of seafaring terms such as boat directions like bow, starboard, port, and stern is also a good idea.

When out on the sea, boaters will encounter numerous buoys so it's important to know what they signify. Watercraft must be driven between buoys as they mark the edges of navigable channels. Heading out from the shore to the open waters, red buoys will be on one's right and green buoys with lights on the left, and vice versa when returning to shore. Buoys are placed for safety and communications purposes of boaters




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