Table of Contents:

Introduction

Registration, Numbering, and Documentation

Law Enforcement

Equipment Requirements

Vessels Operating Offshore

Operating Procedures

Safety and Survival Tips

Operator's Responsibility

Overloading

Anchoring

Fueling Precautions

Float Plan

Propeller Blades Warning

Weather

Small Boats & Water Activities

Staying Afloat

Cold Water Survival

Hypothermia

Carbon Monoxide

Checklist

Pre-Departure Checklist

Be Safe on the Water

Conversion Table (Metric/US)

Federal Requirements and Safety Tips for Recreational Boats

safety tip Float Plan

Play it safe, keep a stack of float plan forms on hand. Leave a copy with a friend, relative or local marina before heading out on the water. In case of an emergency, pertinent information will be right at their fingertips to enable them to contact the local marine police or Coast Guard with necessary details. A word of caution—in case you're delayed, and it's not an emergency, inform those with your float plan, and be sure to notify them when you return so the float plan can be "closed out" and an unnecessary and costly search avoided. An example of a float plan is provided here as a PDF.

PDF files require Adobe Acrobat or the free Abobe Reader.

USCG red rod