BOATING SAFETY CHECKLIST

No matter how much experience you have, it’s always a good idea for everyone to review boating safety rules and practices before leaving the dock. Below are a few safety tips to help you boat responsibly and enjoy your time on the water.

Take a boating course

New boaters and experienced experts alike need to be familiar with the boating rules of the road.  Boating safety courses are offered locally, inexpensive and often completed in a day, in-person or online.

Get a free vessel safety check

The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and U.S. Power Squadrons offer complimentary boat examinations to verify the presence and condition of certain safety equipment required by state and federal regulations. Free of charge, they also offer virtual vessel exams.

Follow a pre-departure checklist

Utilizing a pre-departure checklist is a helpful way to check the boat and ensure the proper gear is onboard.

Be weather-wise

Always check local, route and destination weather and water conditions before departure and ensure it is safe to go out.

Use common sense

Operate at a safe speed at all times (especially in crowded areas), stay alert and steer clear of large vessels and watercraft that can be restricted in their ability to stop or turn.

Know the Nautical Rules of the 'Road'

Maintain a proper lookout and be respectful of buoys and other navigational aids, all of which have been placed there to ensure your safety and the safety of the boats around you. To learn more, check out the USCG's Navigation Rules information page.

Designate an Assistant Skipper

Make sure more than one person onboard is familiar with all aspects of the boat’s handling, operations and general boating safety, in case the primary operator is incapacitated and someone else needs to get the boat back to shore.

Develop a Float Plan

Whether you choose to inform a family member or staff at your local marina, let someone else know where you’re going and how long you’re going to be gone. A float plan can include the following: name, address and phone number of trip leader and passengers; boat type and registration information; trip itinerary; and types of communication and signal equipment onboard, such as an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) or Personal Locator Beacon (PLB).

Make Proper Use of Life Jackets

Assign and fit each member of your onboard team with a life jacket prior to departure. State law requires one wearable life preserver for each person in a boat. All children age 12 or under must wear an approved vest or jacket.

Avoid Alcohol

Operating a boat while intoxicated is illegal. Nearly half of all boating accidents involve alcohol. Designate a sober skipper before leaving the dock.

Be Aware of Carbon Monoxide

Maintain fresh air circulation throughout the boat. Educate all passengers about the symptoms of CO poisoning and where CO may accumulate.

Skip Swimming in a Marina

Never swim in a marina or in other areas where boats are connected to shore power. Stray power in the water can create an electric shock hazard.

Stay Clear of the Engine

Drivers should wear the boat’s engine cut-off switch lanyard at all times. Keep watch around the propeller area when people are in the water. Never allow passengers to board or exit your boat from the water when engines are on — or idling. Take extra precautions near boats towing skiers or tubers.