Boating Is Safer Despite Growth. Balancing Act-Fishing from a boat can be more dangerous than cruising offshore because the angler is more likely to be careless. Keep a companion along, if possible. Use care. By WM. T. McKeown Editor, Popular Boating (Distributed by NEA Service). Boating becomes safer as swim for shore instead of hanging onto his boat while waiting for help. Did he have the recommended preserver cushions along? He might have thought that for a short fishing trip they did not matter. Safety rules are obvious from statistics: Take along a companion, if possible. Don’t stand up in a small skiff. If this becomes necessary while fishing, use great care. Be sure approved life preserver cushions or jackers are handy. Stay away from areas where waves from larger craft might swamp your boat. Stay ashore when weather threatens. Stick with your boat if it should capsize, rather than trying to swim to a shore that seems quite near.