Be Weather-Wise
- Check local weather conditions before departure
- Play it safe and get off the water if you notice darkening clouds, rough, changing winds or sudden temperature drops.
Follow a Pre-Departure Checklist
Ensure you’ll be ready for any on-water emergency
- Boating safety rules
- Proper equipment
Use Common Sense
Operate at a safe speed, especially on
- Crowded waters
- Be alert
- Steer clear of large vessels
- Pay attention to buoys and other navigational aids
Designate an Assistant Skipper
Ensure another person on board can take the helm and return to shore should you become incapacitated.
Wear Lifejackets
Fit and assign a lifejacket to each passenger prior to launch.
Going Offshore - Developing a Float Plan
Always let someone on shore know your boating plans. Include:
- Name, address, and phone number of trip leader and passengers
- Boat type and registration
- Trip itinerary
- Type of communication and signal equipment on board
Boating Safety Resources
SafeBoatingCampaign.com
A program of the National Safe Boating Council. Promoting boating and life jacket safety to boaters everywhere
- Always wear a life jacket while boating
- Take the Safe Boating Pledge and promise to boat responsibly safeboatingcampaign.com
- Learn which life jacket style is best
for different boating activities: safeboatingcampaign.com/life-jackets - Boat-ed.com Official boating safety courses and online tests for your boat license
- US Power Squadrons (usps.org) and Coast Guard Auxiliaries (cgaux.org) Free vessel safety checks, boater education and safety boating tips
- discoverboating.com/beginner/courses.aspx Water and boating safety resources
Content courtesy of BoatSafe.com