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Welcome Boaters

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The Public Information menu section on the left is comprised of a series of links designed to guide and provide valuable information for new and seasoned recreational boaters to make their boating experience safe and pleasant.  As a boat operator, you’re expected to make sure your vessel carries the required safety equipment and complies with federal and state regulations. Click the following link Federal Requirements for Recreational Boats to download a brochure that explains the minimum federal requirements for your boat.  Please bear in mind that the brochure only covers federal laws and equipment carriage requirements for recreational vessels of the United States. These are minimum requirements and do not guarantee the safety of your vessel or its passengers.

An owner/operator may also need to comply with additional regulations and/or laws specific to the state in which the vessel is registered or operated. A vessel in compliance with the laws of the state of registration may not meet the requirements of another state where the vessel is being operated.  Click the following link South Carolina Boating Laws and Responsibilities to visit the their site and download a brochure that covers state laws and requirements and even take a certification course online!  Successfully complete the online test, and you will receive a State of South Carolina boating safety certificate by mail.

Before you go out on the water, you should leave a Float Plan with someone you trust, so they’ll know what to do if you don’t come back on time. Your Float Plan could be in the form of a note or a voice-mail, but to be sure you’ve included all of the relevant information you should take a look at the Coast Guard Float Plan form (PDF). While you’re downloading documents, you might also want to grab a sample Pre-Departure Checklist (PDF) to keep on your boat. We also have separate equipment checklists and vessel system checklists.

Vessels over 26 feet need a placard explaining that oil discharge is prohibited. Check near the engine controls or engine compartment to see if it’s already installed on your boat. If it isn’t, you can get a copy of a standard placard here.

How about those expired flares? When you replace your pyrotechnic visual distress signals, do you just throw the old ones in the trash, or wait until July 4th and fire them across the harbor at your buddy’s boat? Well, don’t do either, unless you really want a Federal felony conviction.

We also have memos explaining how to make a VHF radio call and what’s up with the new DSC (Digital Selective Calling) radios.

Is your organization interested in collaborating with the Coast Guard Auxiliary to teach and encourage boating safety? Take a look at our Boating Safety Partnerships wiki and see what we can do together.

Have you been involved in a boating accident? Submit a Recreational Boating Accident form. You can also get the latest information on boating accident safety from our Recreational Boating Safety Outreach webpage.

There’s a lot of material here, so take your time. If you have questions, please feel free to click on the “About Flotilla 12-4” link to get in touch with us.