Never Forget These 4 Essential Boat Safety Guidelines
We know you want to get out there and be on the water as much as possible. But owning a recreational boat isn’t all fun and games.
…Ok. It kind of is! But you need to make sure your fun isn’t putting your safety at risk. In case of an emergency like a collision with another boat or the unlikely event of capsizing, you need to be prepared! These safety guidelines can help you prevent a crisis before it happens.
Our Top 4 Boat Safety Guidelines
Have a float plan
A float plan is a form you leave with someone you trust before a boating trip. Believe it or not, North Carolina law requires you fill out a float plan before every single boating trip.
Your float plan includes extensive information about you, your boat, and your voyage to a reliable person onshore like a friend, family member, or even your marina operator. You can find a North Carolina float plan form here. You should fill out this form in its entirety, which includes:
The name of the person you’re giving the float plan to
- A description of your boat
- Information about the person operating the boat
- A checklist of your boat’s safety equipment
- How long you expect your trip to last
- Information on every passenger who will be onboard
A float plan ensures there’s someone watching out for you onshore. If anything goes seriously wrong on your trip and you disappear with no point of contact, they can report it to the proper marine authorities like the Coast Guard. It’s very unlikely that anything like this will happen on your average recreational boating trip, but it’s important to have an emergency safety net in place.
Use your life jackets
Life jackets are designed to keep you safe in the water. You’re required by law to have an appropriate, well-fitting life jacket for every single person on your boat.
While it’s ideal for everyone on your boat to wear a life jacket the whole time you’re on the water, we recognize that’s not always going to be the case.
That being said, in North Carolina, all minors under the age of 13 must wear a lifejacket at all times while you’re boat is on the water.
Here are some other important safety tools you should have on your boat at all times:
- Fire extinguisher
- Distress signal (like a light or flag)
- Sound-producing item (like a whistle or blowhorn)
- Throwable flotation device
Keep in mind that your state sets regulations on what you absolutely must have. Check local laws and make sure you have everything required to keep you and your passengers safe in an emergency.
Don’t drink if you’re operating the boat
According to the Coast Guard, alcohol is the #1 cause of recreational boating fatalities.
If you wouldn’t drink and drive, you shouldn’t drink and boat! Similarly to Driving Under the Influence (DUI), you can be convicted of Boating Under the Influence (BUI) as well. Law enforcement can force you to stop and they can board your boat any time you’re on the water, for any reason.
Here in North Carolina, if you’re caught operating a boat with a Blood Alcohol Content of 0.8% or above, you could face hefty fines or even jail time.
Keep you and your passengers safe and don’t drink if you’re operating the boat. If your passengers decide to drink, make sure they’re responsible and someone is monitoring them. Impaired judgement on the water can lead to life threatening mistakes.
Watch the weather
It seems like common sense, but you need to be aware of the weather before you set out on a boating trip.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) provides accurate weather reports for boaters. These reports are available over your boat’s radio or at www.weather.gov.
Keep an eye out for:
- Any weather warnings
- Wind speeds
If you’re on the ocean or a body of water connected to the sea, be especially aware of:
- Tides
- Wave height
Even if you’re prepared and checked the weather report, you know storms can appear out of nowhere. Always remain alert. Remain aware of how long it will take you to return to shore and always have a safety plan in place.
Keep in mind: Boating laws are different from state to state. The regulations we’ve outlined in this post are all North Carolina state law. If you’re from out of state, make sure you read up on your own rules and penalties.
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