Boating Safety
As a boat operator, you are expected to make sure that your vessel carries the required safety equipment and complies with federal and state regulations for such things as numbering, incident reporting, and operations.
Your degree of enjoyment on the water depends on you, your equipment, and other people who, like yourself, boat responsibly. As a boat operator, you should:
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Have a complete understanding of the operation and handling characteristics of your boat. Be familiar with manufacturer provided Warning Labels and Safety Precautions.
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Know your boat’s load capacity and designated passenger locations.
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Take action to avoid a collision. Know and follow the “Rules of the Road” (Navigation Rules). Know and obey federal and state regulations and waterway markers.
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Make sure that everyone on board is always wearing a U.S. Coast Guard-approved PFD while on the water.
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Take a boating safety course. Courses are available on the web, home study, and in the classroom. On-water skills training is also available.
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Wear your engine cut off switch link if installed. This is a legal requirement as of 4/1/2021.
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Boat sober. Never operate a vessel while under the influence of alcohol or drugs; legal or otherwise.
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Make sure your boat is in top operating condition. It should be free of tripping hazards, fire hazards, and have clean bilges.
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Verify the required safety equipment is on board, maintained in good working order, and that you know how to use these devices.
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Always leave behind a float plan with a responsible person.
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Know your location, where you are going, and how to return.
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Check the weather before you depart. Keep an eye out for changing weather conditions and act accordingly.
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Be sure to maintain a proper lookout. Scan the water back and forth. Stay alert. Most boating accidents are caused by operator inattention.
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File a boating accident report with the State reporting authority when required.