Boating Safety Tips
Before you leave for an adventure on the water, familiarize yourself with some basic safe boating tips.
- Consider taking a boater education course.
- Be familiar with the maritime laws of your state.
- Before you leave, create a float plan and leave it with a dependable person.
- Read the owner's manual for your vessel.
- Make sure each passenger wears a personal flotation device (PFD). Children under the age of 13 must wear a PFD.
- Drink plenty of water; avoid consuming alcohol.
- Operate at a safe speed.
- Be aware of your surroundings. Stay to the right of oncoming vessels.
- Make sure you have a horn or whistle readily available
- Have a passenger serve as a lookout.
- Make sure you have a fire extinguisher and first-aid kit on board your vessel.
For more information on boating safety, please visit the US Coast Guard's Boating Safety Resource Center.