Junior Pope: ten precautions to take while boating

Despite being an essential mode of transportation, water transportation carries certain risks.

Boat safety is important, as demonstrated by the recent sad occurrence involving Nollywood star Pope Odonwodo, often known as Junior Pope.

Pope and three other people perished in a boat accident.

In a video that the late actor shared on his Instagram page on Wednesday, Pope, who was on a boat without a life jacket, begged the captain to proceed gently and exclaimed, “I have three children to raise.” Pope implored his fans to watch how performers risk their lives to entertain them.

He captioned it, saying, “Look at me lamenting… The risk we take to keep you entertained: yesterday, we crossed the River 9ja without a life jacket. Na wahooooooooo. Who does that ?”

According to reports, the actor was leaving a film location by boat while filming Adanma Luke’s film “The other side of life.”

However, the Actors Guild of Nigeria, under the direction of its President, Ejezie Rollas, halted film productions involving boat excursions and riverine settings in response to the unfortunate event.

Actors have also been instructed to hold off on working on any Luke-related projects till further notice.

This tragedy emphasizes how important it is to take strict precautions when traveling by sea.

In order to guarantee a safer experience, PUNCH Online presents ten essential safety guidelines for boaters in this article:

(1)Wear life jackets: Always wear a properly fitting life jacket when onboard a boat. Ensure that there are enough life jackets for all passengers.

(2)Check weather conditions: Before setting off, check weather forecasts to avoid sailing in rough or dangerous conditions that could jeopardise safety.

(3)Follow safety instructions: Listen attentively to the boat operator or captain’s safety instructions and adhere to them diligently. Familiarise yourself with emergency procedures and the location of safety equipment onboard.

(4)Avoid overloading: Do not exceed the boat’s weight capacity or passenger limit. Overloading can lead to instability and increase the risk of accidents.

(5)Ensure proper boat maintenance: Regularly maintain the boat, including checking navigation lights, signaling devices, and emergency equipment like fire extinguishers and flares.

(6)Inform others: Let someone know your boating plans, including your route and estimated return time. This information can be crucial in case of an emergency.

(7)Be mindful of water conditions: Stay aware of water currents, tides, and potential hazards such as rocks or shallow areas. Navigate at safe speeds and exercise caution near shorelines.

(8)Monitor fuel levels: Always carry sufficient fuel for your trip and monitor fuel levels regularly. Running out of fuel in open water can be hazardous.

(9)Ensure children’s safety: Ensure that children wear life jackets and are supervised by adults at all times while onboard. Also, educate them about basic boating safety rules.

(10)Avoid alcohol and intoxicants: It’s crucial to refrain from consuming alcohol or other intoxicants before or during boat rides. Being sober enables you to make sound decisions and stay alert to potential dangers.