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.

However there are some rules which must be adhered to for personal safety and to prevent harm to the boat. Specific rental companies typically have their own set of rules which must be followed, and there are also local regulations for safe boating that will need to be practiced.

Rental agencies will provide renters with necessary paperwork that must be filled out before signing the watercraft over to them, and it normally states what the speed limits are, and the undersigned is agreeing to obey them while operating the craft. There are "no wake zones" in most harbor and pier areas, where the speed cannot exceed 5 knots or leave a wave in the water. Boaters must also refrain from drinking alcohol while driving the boat, doing so is just as dangerous operating a car under the influence.

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.

Before setting sail, a company representative will familiarize the customer with all of the boat's equipment and instruments. If the renter does not believe that he or she can safely operate it, then it's best to hire a local, experience captain to do so instead. Not only is this the safest option, but also a good opportunity to learn some interesting facts about the island one would otherwise not know.

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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