Pleasure boating, as the term suggests, should be enjoyable.

But there are a few safety rules that must be observed to make boating fun as well as safe. The U.S. Coast Guard requires a minimum of equipment that must be aboard before you get under way, depending on the vessel's length. Generally speaking, a boat must have life preservers in good condition for everyone aboard.

There are five types of life jackets: offshore, near shore, flotation aids (these are lighter and more comfortable but in rough waters may not turn a person face up in the water), throwable (one of these must be carried in addition to your life preservers) and special uses, such as water skiing. Your life could depend on your personal flotation device.

Proper loading of a boat is important if you are to be a safe boater. Most small boats recently built have a capacity plate. In my 24-foot boat, the capacity plate advises I can carry nine people or 1,200 pounds. This seems a bit ridiculous. That's an average weight 133 pounds for each person. Even if I could find nine people that meet that standard, they would not have room to move freely about on my small boat. Here I think you have to use a little common sense.

Weather is a big factor in safe boating. You may get away with carrying 10 or 12 people on a deck boat on a perfectly calm day. If a storm should develop the passengers would be in jeopardy. Even with a safe number of passengers aboard, the weight must be evenly distributed.

Everyone can't be in the bow or stern or on one side of the boat. That's asking for trouble. Violent thunderstorms come up quickly and without much warning in Southwest Florida. Along with lightning and very strong winds, and sometimes blinding rain, also very turbulent sea conditions develop. If you are caught in a storm head for the nearest safe port. If possible, head into the seas at a 45-degree angle and have everyone done a PFD.

Although the USCG doesn't require one, Marine VHF is a must, even if it's just an inexpensive portable hand-held model. It can be used for emergency communications.

— Bill Jefferson was former commander of the Cape Coral Power Squadron.