It's a holiday weekend in Montana and probably warm enough to bring out the boat and have in the water or have a nice relaxing fishing trip.

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You got the boat ready to go, equipment is packed, food is ready, the kids are buckled in, and the dog is ready for adventure.

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Is boat safety and information apart of the equipment you packed?

Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks wants everyone to have a fun holiday weekend and they want everyone to have fun safely.

They have an easy to navigate website full of information that may be helpful if you do not have it already. One could even save it to a smartphone or print it out for review on the way to the lake.

The have a regular boater's checklist as well as a U.S. Coast Guard Vessel Safety list and and required items according to Montana and federal law:

  • Wearable Life Jackets
  • Throwable PFD
  • Fire Extinguisher(s) (motorboats)
  • Backfire Flame Arrester (motorboats)
  • Ventilation System (motorboats)
  • Whistle or Horn
  • Navigational Lights
  • Registration Document
  • Boat Number, Permanent Decal and Validation Decals

Make sure all life jackets are up to snuff and still fit you and your growing children, as well as checking if other floating devices are in working order.

It would also be a good thing to go over a plan with everyone in the family in case of disaster like a boat capsizing with a chance of family members becoming separated.

There's other Tips on how to fit life jackets, load capacity, rules for motorboats and things like kayaks and canoes, all there to help you on their website.

Let's all have fun this weekend!

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