It was the most chilling 30 seconds of my life.

We were cruising up the Potomac River to eat lunch in Georgetown, our trawler loaded with guests, when my wife's screaming voice shot fear straight through me. "Where is Milo!" she all but cried. My body went cold at the sickening prospect of my 2 year-old son tumbling in our wake.

We were spared that fate when he emerged seconds later from his hiding spot, all smiles. But the incident was a brutal and enduring reminder that childproofing your boat – the right gear and the right habits – is a vital exercise.

As any parent can attest, running with young children aboard adds both texture and tension to your nautical life. It is wonderful to teach your kids about the sea. But kiddies are like a storm – and it pays to get ready.

As we were reminded on that scary day last year, there is no substitute for strong supervision. But there are many other measures to be taken – some obvious and some obscure – that can dramatically increase safety. It takes thought, trial-and-error and participation by both parents, but childproofing your boat is worth every second of time you put into it and every penny you spend.

CULTIVATE GOOD HABITS

There is much to say about gear and modifications when it comes to childproofing, but the most important steps have more to do with seamanship. Good habits are essential.

GLEN JUSTICEFloatation is required whenever children are on deck. Milo, 3, has a variety of vests for different situations.

Obviously, floatation is a primary requirement. We have personal floatation devices fitted for our sons, and we carry extras in many sizes to accommodate guests. The children are required to wear them whenever they are on deck.

We also insist that children be supervised directly by adults at all times, whether in the cabin or on deck. Whenever possible, we try to keep that supervision one-to-one, with one adult specifically responsible for one child. Of course, there are times when one adult has to watch more than one child, but we try to keep it to short periods of time and we have equipment (like a playpen) to help make the job easier.

The key to good supervision is good communication, ensuring that each adult understands who they are watching. This sounds simple, but it is a critical habit to cultivate. Those frightening seconds when my son went missing happened because the adult watching him thought he was in my wife's care, but never verified the handoff. A simple question – are you watching Milo? – would have spared us much fright.

That communication extends to the children too, when they are old enough to understand basic concepts. We are endlessly drilling small bits of boat smarts into my older son: we don't run on the boat"¦we hold hands on the dock"¦we wear our vests on deck"¦we always hold onto the railing"¦we don't go outside by ourselves. There are many, many more.

GLEN JUSTICEThe flying bridge is a good place to corral the kiddies. They are supervised, out of the sun and have plenty of room to play.

Generally, our plan is to keep the kids contained on the flying bridge while the boat is underway, where they are constantly supervised, remain cool under the canvass and have enough room to play. I have also instituted a rule that no children are allowed north of the captain's chair unless I invite them. Throttles and thrusters are too easy to grab. I have survived two such incidents in the slip with no damage, because the boat was tied in well. There won't be a third.

When we anchor, moor or dock, the party moves down to the cockpit and cabin, but the same rules apply.

MODIFYING THE BOAT

While there is no substitute for good habits, making some select modifications to your boat and assembling the right equipment can make a parent's job much easier.

Milo was still an infant when my family commissioned our Mainship 40 trawler, Anonymous Source, in 2005. We had the advantage of choosing a boat with the toddling years in mind, and one of the things that drew us to the Mainship were wide walkways and high freeboard all the way around the vessel and a flying bridge large enough to accommodate both guests and children.

But no boat is childproof straight from the factory, and ours was no exception. We have made many modifications to increase comfort, convenience and safety. Some were immediate. Others evolved over time. And we continue to make adjustments as our needs change.