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What is a float plan?

A float plan, quite simply, is information you as a boater leave with a friend, family member, etc. regarding your boating adventures. Float plans are NOT filed with the Coast Guard.

Float plans can be as simple as a phone call or as intricate as you want it to be. It is recommended that you include things such as your POB (Persons on Board) count, area of operation, vessel description, etc. 

Float plans, unlike flight plans, are not a requirement. So you may be asking...

Why should I bother filing one of those?

To be blunt, it could save your life. If no one knows where you are, how can anyone be expected to know that something's amiss?  Accidents can happen in an instant, and help could take far too long to arrive if no one knows if or where help is needed. Float plans give people a "heads up" that you should be back at a certain time, and that if you exceed that time by an unreasonable amount, you could be in trouble. Also, if your expected whereabouts and vessel description are on the float plan, help can be sent to the correct area quickly and know what they need to find.

I'm sold! But I have no idea what information to leave...

That's okay! The Auxiliary has a web site dedicated to float plans! There's even a sample float plan that can be printed off, filled in, and left with someone you trust!

Visit http://www.floatplancentral.org