The Coast Guard's Advice For Staying Safe On The Water

A couple years ago, we shared some advice for boaters from the U.S. Coast Guard on the best ways to be prepared for emergencies while you’re on the water, as well as a reminder on some things you may be legally required to have. Since it’s always good to take advice from the professionals, we thought it might be a good idea to revisit that post.

Make Sure The Boat’s Registration Number Is On Display

The Coast Guard will tell you, your boat’s registration numbers need to be prominently on display. By the rules, this means they should be “permanently attached” or painted on the hull, on each side of the forward half. Letters should be at least 3 inches high in vertical block characters. Numbers should be separated from the letters with either a space or hyphen. And they should be in a color that contrasts from the hull so they can be easily seen.

Keep Your Registration Documents Available For Inspection

Boats that are 5 tons or greater need documentation. The Coast Guard advises that all boat owners affix documentation numbers to the interior of their boat. The hull should also state the boat’s home port and name in letters a minimum of 4 inches high. And, needless to say, you should always have your registration documents.

Personal Flotation Devices (PFD)

You’d have to be really dumb not to have PFDs. You’d also be breaking the law without them, as the Coast Guard is pretty strict about them.  Each life jacket should be in good condition and the right size for each person onboard (including any children).  They also need to be “in wearable condition” at all times, no matter what. That means if they are new, you take them out of the packaging.

Fire Extinguishers Are Important

If there was one thing we think we’d forget about, it would be this. Fire on the open water doesn’t occur to many people, but it’s a serious enough hazard that the Coast Guard requires accessible and working fire extinguishers to be on board. This requirement covers boats that have ANY of the following:

• Double hulls either not filled with flotation material or not completely sealed
• Permanently installed fuel tanks
• Closed compartments for storing portable fuel tanks
• Inboard engine
• Closed stowage space used to store flammable items
• Closed living spaces

Even if your boat doesn’t meet any of these points, it’s still a good idea to have a fire extinguisher. After all, you’ve got a working engine filled with flammable fuel, right?

Distress Signals Are Important, Too

If your boat is larger than 16 feet and runs in coast waters or on the Great Lakes, you’re required to carry a Visual Distress Signal (VDS) that meets the following requirements:

1. Three days and nights of pyrotechnic devices
2. One-day non-pyrotechnic device (a flag)
3. One-night non-pyrotechnic device (auto SOS light)
4. Or a combination of items 1 and 2.

If your boat is under 16 feet and you plan to run in coastal waters or the Great Lakes between dusk and dawn, you must also carry VDS.

Boats that run on inland waters are not required to carry VDS, but the United States Coast Guard strongly urges you to do so.

Other Stuff The Coast Guard Recommends

• Carry a bell, whistle, siren, or other sound-producing distress signal that is audible up to ¼-mile away.
• All boats running at night or in poor visibility must have running lights.
• All gas-powered boats must have a working backfire flame control.

Learn from the professionals. The U.S. Coast Guard exists to keep us safe. Following these guidelines are a smart way to stay safe on the water this boating season.

You may be interested in these other posts:

• A Boat's Biggest Concern - Water In Fuel
• Fuel stabilizer for boats: Why do I need one?
• How to Get Your Boat Ready for Boating Season