I had a near miss recently. Fortunately, that’s all it was ­– a near miss, not an accident. Still, it made me think about what I could have done differently, or what the other guy could have done, to turn a near miss into a non-incident.

I was riding my PWC with a group of eight or nine other riders. We were crossing a large body of water, so there was plenty of space. The water was calm. Almost like glass. We were spread out and running around 50 mph when one of the riders ahead of me lost his hat. If you’ve done much riding, you’ve probably had that happen.

He immediately initiated a U-turn to his left to retrieve it. I’m sure he was thinking about how little time he had before the depths claimed his hat forever. The problem was, his quick maneuver took him directly into my path. A few very tense seconds later, it was over – no collision, just a serious reminder of how quickly things can change on the water.

It’s easy to say that if something had happened, it would have been his fault. You could argue he should have looked before turning – and I wouldn’t disagree. But I also wondered if there was something I could have done differently. I wasn’t following him closely, but maybe if I’d been a bit farther back, there wouldn’t be anything to talk about now.

Regardless of what type of vessel we’re operating, situational awareness is critical. We have to operate safely for the conditions and the moment. Here are a few habits every boater should practice:

  • Keep your head on a swivel. Don’t just look forward. Look left, right, and behind you so you’re aware of the traffic and obstacles around you. This is especially important before making any maneuver, such as a turn.
  • Keep your distance. Don’t run directly behind another vessel. If they make a sudden course change, you’ll have time to react. Remember, there are no lanes on the water, which makes predicting other vessels’ movements more difficult. The higher the speed, the greater the distance you should maintain.
  • Stay away from tow vessels. Boats towing skiers or tubers can have people fall off at any time. Give them extra room so you don’t have to make a sudden course change to avoid someone in the water. Also, make sure you can identify tow vessels as some use very long lines. If you’re unaware they’re towing and cross behind them, you could run over the line.
  • Monitor environmental conditions. Weather and water conditions can quickly change how your vessel handles. You don’t want to get caught out in conditions you or your craft can’t manage. Know when it’s time to head in.
  • Watch the water. Most navigable waters have markers that indicate danger zones, channels, or restricted areas. Pay attention to them, but also realize that not every hazard is marked – sometimes markers are missing, or water levels have changed. Watch for differences in ripples or water color that can indicate shallow spots.
  • Look out for the inexperienced. Not everyone on the water knows the rules or proper etiquette. Some boaters don’t understand markers or navigation laws. When you encounter them, don’t get frustrated. Just stay alert, be patient, and be thankful you saw them before something went wrong.

We’re all out there to have fun. People talk about “being in the moment,” but on the water, that also means being aware. Awareness doesn’t take away from the fun. It helps make sure the fun continues. An accident caused by inattention will ruin your day a lot faster than a little extra caution ever will.