Tips to help ensure a safe and enjoyable time on the water:
- Create a Float Plan
- Tell someone who is not on the trip about your trip details: where you’re going, who’s on board, and when you plan to return.
- Perform a Pre-Departure Checklist
- Inspect your boat to ensure all systems are working, including fuel, lights, engine, safety gear, and communication devices.
- Wear a Life Jacket
- Make sure you have sufficient life jackets for your passengers and crew, and that everyone on board knows where they are and how to access them. Ideally, all boaters wear a properly fitted U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket at all times.
- Check the Weather
- Always check local weather conditions before departure. If there are strong winds, storms, or lightning forecasted, stay ashore.
- Avoid Alcohol
- Operating a boat under the influence is illegal and significantly increases the risk of accidents.
- Have Safety Equipment Onboard
- This includes a first aid kit, fire extinguisher, flares, horn or whistle, flashlight, and a marine radio.
- Know Navigation Rules
- Understand right-of-way, marker buoys, and speed limits to avoid collisions and fines.
- Don’t Overload the Boat
- Adhere to the boat’s maximum weight and passenger capacity to maintain stability.
- Stay Alert and Be Aware of Surroundings
- Always keep a lookout for other vessels, swimmers, and hazards like rocks or floating debris.
- And of course – Take a Boating Safety Course
- Enroll in a certified course to learn the basics of navigation, rules of the water, and emergency procedures.