Firstmate Controls

Boating is an exceptionally fun hobby! But, as boaters ourselves, the Firstmate Controls team also knows that boating can come with some additional hazards that you should be aware of before heading out on the water. Keep reading to learn the essential items you might be missing from your on-board first aid kit and go stock up now before the boating season starts in earnest! Basic First Aid It's always a good idea to start with a basic first aid kit. Most kits include antiseptic wipes, soap of some kind, antibiotic ointment, hydrocortisone cream, bandaids, bandages, gauze, self-adhering tape or athletic tape, scissors, tweezers, basic pain medications (acetaminophen, ibuprofen, etc.), gloves, and some kind of antihistamine. There are several retailers out there that can provide completely stocked and well-organized first aid kits for purchase. This is a great start, but it doesn't include everything you need for a safe and prepared day on the water.  Allergies Some first aid k...

Boating is a great activity to enjoy with the whole family! If you have young kids, then there are some important ways to help keep them safe during your day out on the water. Firstmate Controls has the tips you need to keep boating fun and safe for all ages. Keep reading to learn more! TEACH YOUR CHILD TO SWIM Kids should learn how to swim at a young age. Basic skills to teach include: how to float, how to tread water, and how to swim at least one hundred yards in different directions. Until your child has mastered these skills, you should refrain from boating in very deep water. SET SOME BASIC BOAT RULES Just as your children have rules when riding in the car, your boat should be no exception. Children need to understand and follow basic boat rules. Children should be told to keep their hands and feet inside the boat at all times. It is very easy for small hands and feet to get injured when youngsters attempt to stick them into the water. Never allow children to run aro...

Your pets are part of your family, so naturally, you want to include them in all your family activities.  One summer activity you may be hesitant to involve your dog in is going out on the boat.  While many dogs are typically natural swimmers, the question still stands as to whether they'd do well on the water or not.  Firstmate Controls knows you want to include your furry buddy in all of your outdoor fun activities this summer, so we've come up with some helpful tips to follow when taking your dog on a boat.  Check out the tips below! BEFORE BOARDING: Check Local Laws At this time, there are no national legal restrictions or requirements pertaining to having your furry friends aboard your boat, we recommend that you double-check local laws, since regulations can vary by state. Develop a Safety Plan Before leaving on your first doggy-boating adventure, we recommend that you develop a safety plan in case your dog was to go overboard.  Talk to all of t...

The sun is shining, the weekend is here and it’s time to hit the lake! You’ve packed your cooler and sprayed the kids down with sunscreen, what else could you be missing? While boating is a great summer past-time, the water fun can be dampened by being unprepared. Here are some tips from Firstmate Controls on how to effectively prepare for a fun and safe weekend on the lake! Float Plan  A floating plan is a document that boaters should fill out prior to their day on the water that includes information like: who the passengers are, vessel identification, planned destinations and a general timeline. An easy way to do this is to leave a float plan with the vessel information with someone you trust and then you can just call and update them when taking the boat out with the specifics regarding passengers, destination and time. While a float plan may seem like a lot of work, it’s always smart to be cautious while planning a day out on the water. You can even find easy downloadabl...

Boating is a favorite pastime for many people. There is no better feeling than spending a day out on the water with friends and family. Naturally, if you have children you will want to include them in your on-the-water fun. This week,  Firstmate Controls  offers some tips to make boating fun and safe when children are present: WEARING LIFE JACKETS Even the best swimmers should still practice safe boating by wearing a life jacket. Since you never know what could happen at any given moment, it's best to wear a life jacket at all times to avoid drowning. Your child’s life jacket should fit snugly and have a collar that will turn the child face up if he/she enters the water. Choose a jacket or vest that has a handle on it and is brightly colored for high visibility. By getting your child used to wearing their life jacket regularly while on the boat, they will be less likely to resist this requirement and more likely to keep it on. TEACH YOUR CHILD TO SWIM In additi...

May 18-24 is  National Safe Boating Week ! From family friendly events at marinas to vessel safety checks, the goal of this important campaign is to raise awareness about responsible boating. More importantly, the goal is to encourage wearing life jackets when out on the water. So in honor of this very special and important national event, the  best recreational marine equipment company  is sharing with you some helpful and educational information about National Safe Boating Week and how you can spread awareness! Boating Incident Statistics You Need to Know According to the US Coast Guard Boating Safety Division, in 2015 the number one cause of death during a boating incident was drowning, with a staggering 428 deaths. 352 of those were reported to not be wearing life jackets. In Missouri alone, there were 17 persons killed and 70 persons injured in recreational boating crashes. This year so far, the Missouri Water Patrol has reported 50 boating/drowning incidents. O...

As we begin experiencing warmer weather and draw closer to boating season, we felt it was important to share some boating rules of the road and launch-ramp etiquette. Ramp rage is a real thing and is often provoked by boaters who don't know the rules of the ramp, or worse, don't care that they're inconveniencing other boaters waiting in line. So, this week,  Firstmate Controls  is sharing with you a few boat ramp etiquette rules to follow to avoid ramp rage from ruining your day on the water! Don't Block the Ramp if You're Not Ready to Launch There are a lot of things to check and recheck before launching your boat. Waiting until you’re in the middle of a long line at a busy boat ramp is not the time to perform these tasks. When you pull into the parking lot, move to the side and let others go ahead and dump their boats. Put your plug in, take your straps off, take your motor toter off, plug in your graphs, put your lights in—whatever you have to do—before clog...

If you're anything like us, you're already making plans to spend time out on the lake with friends and family this summer. You want to be prepared for all the fun that's bound to take place, and have as little interruption as possible. This week, we're sharing with you some great ideas to ensure a fun and fantastic time out on the lake this coming summer! Gear up for boating season with these accessory ideas: Bring on the Fun with Towables Everyone loves a little fun and adventure. Spend the day on the lake in style with some fun towables that will keep the laughter and smiles going all day long. Whether you prefer fast and furious or leisure water activities, there are plenty of towables out there to sate anyone's adventurous appetite. Don't Let Hunger Pull You Off the Lake You and your friends are bound to get hungry out on the lake after fun in the sun and splashing around. Don't just rely on chips to hold you over, or risk having to call it a da...

Tomorrow starts the beginning of the annual  Overland Park Boat Show  at the Overland Park Convention Center. Firstmate Controls will be there showcasing our state of the art  boat lift remote control systems ! This is one boat show you don't want to miss! Come check out an abundance of boats and boating accessories from all over the state. And be sure to stop by our booth to check out our products and say hello! All attending vendors have one common goal in mind: to promote fun on the Lake! This event showcases products like cruisers, runabouts, performance boats, tritoons, ski boats, personal watercrafts, docks, lifts and all boating accessories etc. in the Marine & Boat industry. Event Information Presented By: Overland Park Convention Center Dates: January 24, 2019 - January 27, 2019 Location: Overland Park Convention Center Address: 6000 College Blvd. Time: Thursday: 3:00 pm - 9:00 pm Friday: Noon - 10:00 pm Saturday: 10:00 am - 9:00 pm Sunday: 10:00...

As we near the fall season, most boaters know and appreciate that the fall season is wonderful because it means cooler weather, better fishing opportunities, and beautiful fall foliage scenery to enjoy. However, the change of season also means more responsibility and taking precautions in your boating routine. Here are some fall boating safety tips from  Firstmate Controls  to keep in mind when you go boating in the fall season: Plan Ahead for Potential Mishaps Pack a small dry bag with your cell phone if there’s reception in the area, some warm clothes, first aid kit, emergency shelter like a lightweight tarp or a small pup tent, and some high-energy snacks. Keep these items in your life jacket: Vehicle keys, whistle, knife, lighter or waterproof matches, fire starters, and an energy bar. Keep Your Motor Running This time of year you need proper nutrition and hydration to keep your body fueled and warm. Make sure to pack enough snacks and beverages for the entire day ...

Boating is one of many people's favorite pastime activities. When you are enjoying a warm summer day out on the water, nothing ruins your fun like inclement weather. Storms in Missouri, like the ones that have passed through this week, often come quickly and sometimes unexpectedly. When you are out on the water and it starts to storm, there are some things you should do for your safety.  Firstmate Controls  has some tips to keep you safe during inclement weather. Check the Weather Before you use your  remote control boat lift  to take your boat out on the water for the day, check the weather before you head out. You should get an idea of what the weather is going to do all day so you can plan accordingly. Storms can be dangerous when you are on the water, especially if lightning is the in the forecast. Having a smartphone on board is a good idea in case it starts to cloud up while you out because you can quickly check the radar. Keeping a constant eye...

When you're enjoying a warm summer day out on the water, nothing ruins your fun like inclement weather. Summer rain storms often come quickly and sometimes unexpectedly. When you are out on the water and it starts to storm, there are some things you should do for your safety.  Firstmate Controls  has some tips to keep you safe during inclement weather. Check the Weather Before you use your  remote control boat lift  to take your boat out on the water for the day, check the weather before you head out. You should get an idea of what the weather is going to do all day so you can plan accordingly. Storms can be dangerous when you are on the water, especially if lightning is the in the forecast. Having a smartphone on board is a good idea in case it starts to cloud up while you out because you can quickly check the radar. Keeping a constant eye on the weather is a must to keep you safe when you are out on the water. Don't Risk Operating your Boat In Bad...

This week is bound to be a busy one on the water with Independence day on the horizon. Boaters will be out in force to take in the extra days off they'll be enjoying and watching the firework shows by water. Since not everyone has the luxury of having their boat dock sitting in a quiet calm cove, your boat is likely to be subjected to rough waters from other boat wakes that are bound to cause the water to become rough. So, now is the time to be proactive in preventing against damage.  Firstmate Controls  has some tips on how you can prevent damage to your boat, dock, and lift! Properly Securing Your Dock will Prevent Expensive Damage Rough waters can cause a number of problems on the water, especially to docks. That's why it's so important to regularly inspect your dock for any potential repairs needed. What may seem like a small issue at the time could turn into a huge and costly problem down the road. The last thing you want is to get a call from your neighbors sayin...