Here’s a picture taken on my boat yesterday afternoon, as we cast jigs for striped bass in the mouth of the South River. That’s my daughter Mollie – she did most of the catching, as usual – and a buddy, Mike, is taking the hook out of the fish. Look closely, and you might notice something that belongs on every boat that’s running at this time of year, in this part of the world… yet is rarely seen.

Do you have one (or more) of these, aboard your boat?

Did you spot it? If not, here’s another hint:

Here it is, again.

By now you should have noticed it: we’re wearing float coats. As winter closes in and water temperatures drop, wearing a float coat is one of the best ways you can defend yourself against hypothermia and drowning. And remember: hypothermia is the number-one killer of people participating in outdoor activities. Number one…

Not only does wearing a float coat (these are from Mustang) mean you always have a built-in PFD on, it also provides you with excellent insulation. Cuffs andopenings can all be drawn tight to minimize air or water flow, and reflective markings mean there’s a better chance of spotting you if you end up in the water. So consider getting one (or getting one as a gift for someone you love) today. It’s one purchase that could quite literally save your life.

Note: if I believe so strongly in wearing a float coat, why isn’t my own daughter wearing one? Because no one makes a USCG-approved float coat in children’s sizes. Yo, Mustang: how about changing that?