Captain's Classroom

The United States Coast Guard sets minimum standards for recreational vessels and associated safety equipment. To meet these standards, required equipment must be U.S. Coast Guard “approved” or “certified.” This means that it meets U.S. Coast Guard specifications, standards, and regulations for performance, construction, or materials.

• Life Jackets – All recreational vessels must carry one wearable life jacket for each person on board. Any boat 16 feet and longer (except canoes and kayaks) must also carry one throwable (Type IV) device. Life jackets should be worn at all times when the vessel is underway.

• Visual Distress Signals – Vessels operating on U.S. coastal waters, the Great Lakes, and territorial seas, as well as those waters connected directly, up to a point where the waterway is less than two nautical miles wide, must be equipped with U.S. Coast Guard approved visual distress signals (VDS). Vessels owned in the United States and operating on the high seas must also be equipped with U.S. Coast Guard-approved visual distress signals.

• Fire Extinguishers - U.S. Coast Guard-approved, marine-type fire extinguishers are required on boats where a fire hazard could be expected from the engines or fuel system. Extinguishers are classified by a letter and number symbol. The letter indicates the type of fire the unit is designed to extinguish. Type B, for example, is designed to extinguish flaming liquids, such as gasoline, oil, and grease. The number indicates the amount of extinguishing agent contained in the extinguisher; the higher the number, the greater the amount of agent in the extinguisher.  

  U.S. Coast Guard-approved extinguishers required for boats are hand-portable, have either B-I or B-II classification, and must be provided with a mounting bracket. While not required, it is recommended that the extinguishers be mounted in a readily accessible location. Consider locations where the extinguisher can be reached easily; for example, at or near the steering station or in the galley or engine room, but away from where a fire may likely start.

• Ventilation – Boats that use gasoline for electrical generation, mechanical power, or propulsion are required to be equipped with a ventilation system.

• Backfire Flame Control – Gasoline engines installed in a motorboat or motor vessel after April 25, 1940, except outboard motors, must be equipped with an acceptable means of backfire flame control. The backfire flame arrestor (BFA) must be suitably secured to the air intake with a flame-tight connection, and is required to be either U.S. Coast Guard-approved or comply with SAE J-1928 or UL 1111 standards and marked accordingly.
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• Sound Producing Devices – Navigation Rules require sound signals to be made under certain circumstances. Meeting, crossing, and overtaking situations are examples of circumstances in which sound signals are required. Recreational vessels are also required to use sound signals during periods of reduced visibility and while at anchor.

• Navigation Lights – Recreational vessels are required to display navigation lights between sunset and sunrise and during periods of restricted visibility (fog, rain, haze, etc.) The U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Rules, International-Inland, specifies lighting requirements for every description of watercraft.

• Marine Sanitation Devices - All recreational boats with installed toilet facilities must have an operable marine sanitation device (MSD) on board.

  • For the full guide of Federal Requirements for Recreational Boaters, click here. You can visit the Sea Tow Foundation's website for a list of additional recommended equipment here.

Every boater should know that navigation demands precision. Waterways continually change, and precision involves knowledge of changes — both large and small.

Before you go out on waters, it is important to take a minute and review your charts. You may be surprised how much has changed.

The companies listed below have programs that can help you stay current whether you use paper or electronic charts.

• Electronic Charts

• Jeppesen - Joining Club Jeppesen makes updating your charts easy, automatic and economical. 

  • Sea Tow members save $10 on Club Jeppesen Membership. Learn more »

• Navionics - Chart updates are sent from Navionics to plotters or mobile devices.

  • Want to learn more about the value of charts?  Check out their online charts WebApp here.

• Garmin - Garmin provides map updates directly to your electronic devices.

• Paper Charts

• OceanGrafix -  Provide OceanGrafix with your chart number and they will send an email notification whenever a new edition of your chart is created by NOAA.

• Majority of Claims Occur in Winter
• According to historic claim data from Sea Insure, the majority of vandalism, theft, and fire claims occur over the winter months. Without an active policy in force you won’t be covered for any of these unfortunate situations, which can cause serious damage or even a total loss to your boat.
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• You are Still Liable
• Even when the boat is layed up for winter, if someone gets hurt on or around your boat while in storage, you could be liable for any injury that occurs.
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• You May Be Seen as High-Risk
• If you cancel your policy year after year, it can make you appear as a high-risk customer to some carriers. Many insurance carriers who see this trend might make you pay in full, increase your deductible, surcharge the new policy or even decline a policy altogether. Getting rid of your coverage in the winter may save some money, but could add up in the spring.

1. The waterways are full of debris; both floating and beneath the surface that can both damage your boat and cause accidents.
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3. Channel markers and buoys may have moved during the storm which can make navigation challenging.
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5. Shifting sands during the storm have changed the location of channels, sand bars and shorelines increasing the risk of running aground.
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7. Fuel for responders is limited and being utilized for emergency needs. Additionally, due to flooding some fuel from marinas may be contaminated.
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9. Response personnel such as the U.S. Coast Guard and local law enforcement, as well as on-water assistance providers such as Sea Tow, are focusing efforts on Hurricane Sandy response and recovery – on trying to get life back to normal for the millions who were impacted. Should recreational boaters have a non-emergency situation on the water and need assistance it will take those responders away from their current Hurricane Sandy recovery efforts– if they are even able to respond.

Summer is coming – time for fun family getaways and adventures. Boating is one of the best ways to bond with your kids, teach them about nature and create memories that will last a lifetime. Whether you are planning a day or a whole summer of boating and water sports with the kids, taking a few basic precautions can ensure the experience is safer and more enjoyable for the whole family. Here are 10 tips from the Sea Tow Foundation designed to help parents, grandparents and other caregivers keep the little ones safe and happy whether they on board a boat or in the water.

Be sure all kids wear a life jacket when the boat is moving. In most of the states, this is not just sound advice; it’s the law. All children under 13 years of age must wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket while the vessel is being operated unless the child is below deck or in an enclosed cabin on board. Children’s life jackets come in different sizes appropriate to the child’s body weight. Make sure you have one that fits each child on board and let the children try out their life jackets in the water so that they know how they work to keep them afloat. Infant life jackets have a strap that runs between the legs and extra flotation behind the head to ensure the baby floats face up at all times. Keep an extra child’s life jacket or two on hand in case a friend comes along or a child has an unexpected growth spurt over the summer and needs a new size.

…But Only if You Wear Them!

Kids often complain about having to wear their life jackets on a hot day. Here are some ways to encourage them to “buckle up” without a fuss.

Get the kids “invested” in their life jacket by taking them to a marine retail store and letting them pick one out for themselves. There are lots of designs and colors to choose from.

Make sure the life jacket fits the child properly, both for comfort and safety’s sake.

Be a good role model. If the kids see you wearing your life jacket, they’ll be more likely to want to wear theirs.

Safety Starts Ashore

Get the kids in the habit of putting on sunblock and a hat even before you get to the boat. If you have small children who love to run and jump, put them in their life jackets in the parking lot. That way, they’re protected if they accidentally tumble off the dock into the water.

Clear the Decks

When you climb aboard, have everyone stow their gear and any water toys away neatly, but keep the life jackets on. Be sure there are no loose lines, mops, buckets, etc. on deck that someone might trip over.

The adult who is driving the boat should give the kids a safety lesson before leaving the dock. Make it a point to tell them that there can only be one captain, and it’s important to follow his or her orders quickly and quietly. Set a few basic rules, including:

• No running on deck.
• No sitting on the side rails, bow (front), dashboard, aft sunpad or swim platform when the boat is under way.
• Tell them about the old mariner’s saying, “One hand for yourself and one for the boat.” Most boats have grabrails that children (and adults) can use to steady themselves if the boat rocks, but children should be cautioned not to move or walk around while the boat is in motion.

Ahoy, Matey

Kids get a bigger kick out of a boat trip when you make them your First Mate. Before you leave, show them where you’re going on a chart. While under way, have them keep a lookout for marker buoys. Teach them how to work the chart plotter and find your GPS coordinates. Older kids can handle lines and, in many states, children as young as 12 can take a boating safety course to be able to operate the boat with your supervision.

Radio Check

Be sure everyone knows how to operate the boat’s VHF radio in case of an emergency. A good way to practice is to call Sea Tow’s Automated Radio Check service. This will not only show the kids how to key the mike and talk over the VHF, it also lets you know if the radio is in good working order. To find the Automated Radio Check VHF channel in your boating area, visit http://www.seatow.com/boating-safety/automated-radio-checks.

Toys for Girls and Boys

When you tow kids behind the boat on inflatable water toys, water skis or a wakeboard, it can be more fun than an amusement park. Be sure to designate an adult or teen to be the official watcher, keeping his or her eyes on the towed rider at all times. Teach the kids hand signals they can use to tell you to speed up, go slower or stop. Be sure that they wear their life jackets while skiing, boarding or riding.

Where the Fish Are Biting

Angling is another fun family pastime, and it’s even more fun on a boat. However, it’s important to establish a few safety procedures for this activity as well. Teach kids to be careful with fishhooks, as well as reels and line when a fish is “on”. Have them take turns so they don’t cross their lines. Remember, kids have a shorter attention span; on a slow day, take a snack break or knock off early and go swimming.

Places, Please!

Give the kids assigned seats on the boat while docking, so that they don’t accidentally block the driver’s view. Make sure they know to keep their fingers and toes inside during this process!

Whether you are new to the boating community or have spent the majority of your life on the water, it is important to know some basic boat handling skills. These skills will allow you to maneuver your boat in any type of situation regardless of the wind or current, but they require a lot of practice to perfect them

Before heading out on the water, it is important to balance the weight of people and gear in the boat so that the boat can travel through the water with as little resistance as possible. If you are listing to the port side or if your bow is too far up in the air, it will be more difficult to steer and control the boat. You may find that you need to adjust the trim on your outboard engine as well to help balance things out.

Keep a Look Out

Any time that you go boating, regardless of the speed, it is imperative to keep a proper look out. The boat operator needs to be aware of other boats and objects around the boat and look for ways to avoid collisions with them. It is often helpful to select one of your passengers to be your official look-out person so that you can make sure that your full attention can be directed toward operating the boat.

Steering a Boat

The first thing to understand about operating a boat is that it steers from the stern, or back of the boat. This means that a boat will need more room to turn in close quarters like in a marina and you will need to start your turn much earlier than you realize. Also, because boats don't have brakes, it is critical to proceed at a slow speed when operating in close quarters. Often, you'll find that you can perform most docking and departing situations at or just above an idle speed.

Accounting for the Wind or Current

A boater needs to be aware of the wind speed and direction as well as whether there is a current. While the wind is often more noticeable because you can feel it and see flags or tree branches moving, the current can be more tricky to detect because it is underwater. Both can have a tremendous impact on your boat's steering and maneuverability and neither should be ignored. It is important to learn how to "hold station" or remain in one place regardless of the impact of wind or current so that you can maneuver your boat where you want it to go rather than where Mother Nature is trying to take it.

According to the National Marine Manufacturer's Association, the vast majority of the boats in the U.S. are transported to and from the water by a trailer. Therefore, it is important that you know these safety tips for properly transporting and trailering your boat.

First of all, make sure that the trailer is the correct size and type for the boat that you want to transport. The trailer needs to be able to support the weight of the boat as well as the motor, fuel and any gear that you will be using. Secondly, you want to make sure that the vehicle that you are using to pull the trailer has been rated to haul the size and combined weight of the trailer and boat. Before you leave with your boat on the trailer, double-check that the supports and tie down straps are secure and that nothing is loose or could come loose in the boat while it is being transported. Also, inspect the trailer tires and make sure the tire pressure is correct and double check that you have a spare tire. Finally, make sure that the safety chains between the vehicle and the trailer are crossed under the trailer tongue with enough slack to allow for tight turns, if needed and that any taillights are plugged in and working properly.

Driving with a Trailer

When driving a vehicle that is pulling a trailer, you want to make sure that your side mirrors are large enough to provide you with a view of the area behind your trailer. You'll notice that your vehicle's acceleration is like slower that you are used to and you'll also need to give yourself plenty of room for stopping, changing lanes and turning. It might be a good idea to practice your driving skills in an empty parking lot, especially the task of backing a trailer into a boat ramp. To do this, you will want to line up the trailer as much as possible with the ramp and know that the trailer will move in the opposite direction of the steering wheel. Some drivers keep their hand at the very bottom of the steering wheel to direct the trailer in the direction that they want it to go.

Launching and Retrieving Your Boat

Before getting to the boat ramp, get your boat prepared. Remove the straps, put in the drain plug, disconnect the trailer lights and attach the bow and stern lines. This way, you won't hold up others waiting to launch their boats from the boat ramp. Once your trailer is positioned on the boat ramp, back up the tow vehicle so that rear rollers of the trailer are immersed in the water. Set the vehicle's parking brake and use the winch to lower the boat into the water while holding on to the bow line. To retrieve your boat from the water, follow these steps in the opposite order.

Float Plans

When disaster strikes on the water it's sometimes impossible to relay all the information the Coast Guard needs to find you quickly. So, it's a good idea to never go boating without telling someone where you are going and when you'll be home. That way, if you don't return on time, a friend, family member or other contact can notify authorities to begin a search. Download a Float Plan form.

Navigational Charts

Too many boaters neglect making regular updates to navigational charts. Learn why this equipment maintenance issue is so important by visiting The Alliance for Safe Navigation, a consortium of safety-focused organizations that includes the Sea Tow Foundation.

Local Notice to Mariners

Get weekly updates from the Coast Guard on navigational changes occurring in your local waterways (aids to navigation, navigational hazards, etc.).

Click here to download

According to the U.S. Coast Guard Recreational Boating Statistics, 53% of all accidents in 2011 involved persons falling overboard or involved collisions. In these cases it is important that the motor stop immediately to prevent further injuries to the people who might be in the water, and to prevent the boat from continuing on course or turning around and operating in what is known as the “Circle of Death” which often results in propeller strikes.

To protect the people in your boat and to ensure that your boat will stop if you end up in the water unexpectedly, an engine cut-off switch can be used. These devices can include a lanyard that attaches to the boat operator’s wrist or life jacket while the boat is in motion and will disengage the motor when it is disconnected. The lanyard is the red cord that comes equipped in most boats. The newer engine cut-off switches are wireless and must be purchased separately. The wireless device allows the operator and passengers to wear it and move easily around the boat and the engine will turn off if anyone wearing it, including the family pet, is thrown into the water.”

If you do find that someone has unexpectedly ended up in the water, follow these 5 tips:

1. 1. Appoint someone to keep watch by pointing directly at the victim.
2. 2. Stop the boat unless your cut-off switch has done that for you. Turn around and approach the victim slowly.
3. 3. Before reaching the victim, shut off the engine. It should not be idling because the propeller could still be turning while in neutral.
4. 4. Throw a line attached to a floating cushion or ring buoy to the victim, if he is conscious. The person can hold on to that while being towed in to the boat.
5. 5. If the victim is unconscious, assume that there could be head or neck trauma and carefully bring the victim back onboard the boat while someone calls for medical assistance.