Fall boating presents unique risks with cooler water temperatures and potential overboard incidents, especially for solo boaters. Wearing a life jacket is crucial for buying time to reboard safely, and every boat should have properly sized, functional life jackets for all passengers.
With fewer boaters on the water from late Fall to early Spring, informing someone of your boating plans is vital. Share your destination and return time with a friend or family member and update them when you return. Utilize a sample float plan from the BoatU.S. website for convenience.
Fog can form quickly in fluctuating temperatures, making navigation challenging. Carrying a compass and chart is essential, and while a GPS can help, it’s wise to have backup tools in case it fails due to water damage or a dead battery.
Properly maintain your communication gear, especially your VHF radio. For DSC VHFs, connect them to your GPS/chart plotter and register for a free MMSI number via BoatU.S. Fully charge handheld VHFs and consider the shorter battery life of cell phones when using fishing or charting apps.
It may be sunny when you head out, but a short rain squall and temperature drop with clouds in the afternoon can serve up a case of hypothermia pretty quickly. Be prepared for big swings in the weather with appropriate wear.
In the case of an emergency, be prepared to give your exact location (nearby buoy number, GPS coordinates, etc.) directly to the dispatcher on the other end of the call. Just like when you travel by car, always know where you are on the lake, because every minute could count.
Throughout the year, different organizations around Lake Hartwell provide Boating Safety Courses to better education lake users and provide them updated information on current law enforcement and other water, dock and marina laws, as well as proper boating etiquette and general safety guidelines. Please check these specific partner sites for updated schedules or special training events, course fees, locations and other requirements:
For more boating safety information, you can download our Navigating Lake Hartwell brochure.
The following LHA Business Members offer free loaner life jackets for children. Please contact them if you have any questions regarding sizes and availability.
If you are in need of boat towing services including on-water boat towing, jump starts, fuel delivery or ungrounding, contact the TowBoatU.S., Lake Hartwell affiliate, Hartwell Lake Services, at (864) 313-0968 for pricing and availability. LHA members receive $25 off their BoatU.S./TowBoat U.S. membership when they join or renew, using the LHA group number.
A BoatU.S./TowBoatU.S. membership also provides discounts for the following:
Hartwell Lake Service also offers boat recovery. Reach out to them today at (864) 313-0968 or online at HartwellLakeServices.com
Join the Lake Hartwell Association today and become a vital part of the effort to protect and preserve the beauty and vitality of Lake Hartwell for generations to come. Your membership helps fund projects that improve lake conditions, promote responsible recreation, and ensure that Lake Hartwell remains a treasured resource.
