Night Boating – Fireworks & Beyond

Last Monday the annual fireworks display was held at West Beach in Beverly Farms, MA. As usual, several family members and friends joined me on the boat to enjoy the display, and the process of piloting after dark quickly stimulated thoughts of the Pros and Cons of the activity.

The three benefits were: the temperature was comfortable;  the seas were flat; and there was, before and after the fireworks, an uncommon silence over the water. In contrast, the two negatives were: we were surrounded by boaters with varying levels of expertise and soberness; and even familiar landmarks looked out of place in the darkness.

Importantly, all of these Pros and Cons are characteristic of night boating. It can be a great experience, but the chances of colliding with other boats or rocks, or hitting a navigational aid or a winding a lobster pot buoy around the prop rise exponentially.

When you go boating in the night, make sure your running lights are working, you have a decent spotlight and hand tools aboard and everyone has a life jacket on. It can be an adventure, make sure you enjoy it safely.