FOUR PRINCIPALS OF SAFE BOATING
1. WEARING LIFE JACKETS SAVES LIVES
Always Wear Your Life Jacket
2. BOATER EDUCATION SAVES LIVES Take A Boating Course
3. SAFE BOATS SAVE LIVES Get a Free Vessel Safety Check
4. SAFE & SOBER BOATING SAVES LIVES
Never Boat Under the Influence
#1. WEARING LIFE JACKETS SAVES LIVES
IN 2008, TWO THIRDS OF 709
BOATING FATALITIES DROWNED
510 VICTIMS DROWNED
90 PERCENT WERE NOT WEARING A
LIFE JACKET = 459 DEATHS
#2. BOATER EDUCATION SAVES LIVES
In 2008, 79 percent of boat operators
involved in accidents never completed
a safe boating course.
Only 10 percent of the 709 fatalities
occurred on boats whose operators
completed a boating safety course.
BOATER EDUCATION BY STATE
MANDATORY BOATER EDUCATION
2008 STATISTICS




4789 Accidents
709 Deaths
3331 Injuries
$54,000,000 in
property damage
TOP FIVE PRIMARY CONTRIBUTING FACTORS
 Careless/reckless operation  Operator inattention
 Operator inexperience
 No proper lookout
 Passenger/skier behavior
LEARN FROM THE PRO’S
A
USCG Auxiliary course
 NASBLA approved
 Completion should
qualify for a boat insurance
premium discount
#3. SAFE BOATS SAVE LIVES
LET’S REVIEW REQUIRED ITEMS
FOR BOATS 16’ - 26’
SOME REQUIREMENTS INCREASE FOR LARGER BOATS
BE CONFIDENT YOU ARE
SAFE TO LAUNCH AND AVOID
A CO$TLY CITATION
HOW? OBTAIN A FREE,
NO-PENALTY VESSEL
SAFETY CHECK WHICH MAY
ALSO QUALIFY YOUR BOAT
FOR AN INSURANCE
PREMIUM DISCOUNT
DISPLAY OF NUMBERS
Validation decal
placement within
6 inches of letters
varies by state.
Spaces or hyphens appear
here. Letters/numbers must
be plain, vertical block not
less than 3 inches in height.
REGISTRATION
YOUR STATE
 Current & valid
 Registration and
HIN numbers match
what is on the hull.
 Description
matches the boat
and motor.
HIN NUMBER
The Hull Identification Number (HIN) is
a unique, 12-digit number assigned by
the manufacturer to vessels built after 1972.
LIFE JACKETS (PFD’s)
 Must be USCG approved.
 One wearable Type I, II, III or V for each person aboard.
 Some inflatable life jackets not worn do not count.
 In good and serviceable condition.
 Appropriate size for intended use.
 Required to be readily accessible.
 Mandatory for wear by children under 13 in most
states. Check your state’s requirement.
 Must be age 16 or older to wear an inflatable.
GOOD & SERVICABLE CONDITION
RIGHT SIZE FOR INTENDED USE
READILY ACCESSIBLE
INFLATABLE LIFE JACKETS
INFLATABLE LIFE JACKETS
 Are available as Type II, III or V life jackets.
 Type II automatically inflate when the wearer
enters the water. Can also be manually or orally
inflated. Have some Type I characteristics.
 Type III and V come in automatic or manually
inflating models. Can also be orally inflated.
 Some have restrictions, READ THE LABEL!
 Only approved for wear on a boat.
 Require checks and annual maintenance.
TYPE I: OFFSHORE LIFE JACKETS
These vests are geared for rough or remote
waters where rescue may take awhile.
They provide the most buoyancy, are
excellent for flotation, and will turn most
unconscious persons face up in the water.
TYPE II: NEAR SHORE VESTS
 These vests are good for calm waters
when quick assistance or rescue is likely.
 Type II vests will turn some unconscious
wearers face up in the water, but the turning
is not as pronounced as with a Type I.
TYPE III: FLOTATION AIDS
 For calm waters when quick assistance or
rescue is likely. Not recommended for rough
waters.
 Will not turn most unconscious persons
face up.
 Special Type III life jackets are used for
water sports such as water-skiing.
TYPE IV: THROWABLE DEVICES
 Must be immediately available
for use and carried on all
boats 16’ and larger.
 Not designed to be worn.
 Throw to someone in trouble.
 Not for rough waters or for persons
unable to hold on to it.
Throw cushion
Ring buoy
TYPE V: SPECIAL USE DEVICES
 These are hybrid life jackets, and others
designed for specific activities such as
kayaking.
 Type V life jackets DO NOT always count
against vessel carriage requirements if not
worn. READ THE LABEL!!!
VISUAL DISTRESS SIGNALS
 Vessels on the Great Lakes, off-shore and designated
waters must be equipped with approved visual distress
signals in serviceable condition, and readily accessible.
 All are required to carry night signals between
sunset and sunrise. Most must also carry day signals.
 A combination of unexpired pyrotechnic and nonpyrotechnic visual distress signals are authorized.
Night & Day Signals
RED METEOR
RED FLARE
Day Signals
ORANGE SMOKE ORANGE FLAG
FIRE EXTINGUISHERS
 A Coast Guard approved fire extinguisher is required
on boats where a fire hazard could be expected from
the motors or the fuel system.
 Look for the part of the label that says “Marine Type
USCG” and make sure Type B is indicated.
 Recommend all fire extinguishers be mounted and
immediately accessible in the event of a fire.
 Number required increases for boats 26’ and over.
VENTILATION
 All boats which use gasoline for electrical
generation, mechanical power or propulsion
are required to be equipped with a ventilation
system.
 There are natural and powered systems.
Type of system required depends on the boat’s
configuration and age.
BACKFIRE FLAME CONTROL
All gasoline powered inboard/outboard
motor boats must be equipped with an
approved backfire flame control device.
SOUND PRODUCING DEVICE
All boats must carry a sound producing
device (whistle, horn, siren, etc.) capable
of a 4-second blast audible for ½ mile.
NAVIGATION LIGHTS
 All boats must be able to display navigation
lights between sunset and sunrise and in
conditions of reduced visibility.
 Boats 16’ or larger must have properly
installed, working navigation lights and an
all-around anchor light capable of being lit
independently from the red/green/white
"running" lights.
LARGER BOATS
Pollution Placard: Boats 26’ and
over with a machinery compartment
must display a "pollution" placard.
MARPOL Trash Placard: Boats 26’
and over in length must display a
"MARPOL" trash placard.
Navigation Rules: Operators of
boats 39.4’ or greater must have a
copy of Inland Navigation Rules.
MARINE SANITATION DEVICES
Any installed toilet must be a Coast Guard
approved device. Overboard discharge
outlets must be capable of being sealed.
STATE/LOCAL REQUIREMENTS
A boat must meet the requirements of the state
in which it is being examined for a Vessel Safety
Check decal to be awarded. Some examples are:
Liability insurance
 Placement of state decal
 Towing flag
 Capacity number on side
 Cutoff lanyard (kill switch)
if required and/or installed
must be in working order.

OVERALL VESSEL CONDITION
Deck Free of Hazards/Clean Bilge: The boat
must be free from fire hazards, in good overall
condition, with bilges reasonably clean and visible
hull structure generally sound.
 Use of automobile parts on
boat engines is not acceptable.
 The engine horsepower must
not exceed that shown on the
boat capacity plate.
OVERALL VESSEL CONDITION
Safe Electrical System:
 The electrical system must be protected by fuses
or manual reset circuit breakers.
 Switches and fuse panels must be protected from
rain or water spray.
 Wiring must be in good condition, properly installed
with no exposed areas or deteriorated insulation.
 Batteries must be secured and terminals covered to
prevent accidental arcing.
OVERALL VESSEL CONDITION
Safe Galley and Heating Systems:
System and fuel tanks must be properly secured
with no flammable materials nearby.
OVERALL VESSEL CONDITION
Safe Fuel System:
 Portable fuel tanks (normally 7 gallon capacity or
less) must be constructed of non-breakable material
and free of corrosion and leaks. All vents must be
capable of being closed. The tank must be secured
and have a vapor-tight, leak-proof cap.
 Each permanent fuel tank must be properly
ventilated.
RECOMMENDED ITEMS
Marine Radio
Anchor & Line
Dewatering Device
First Aid Kit
RECOMMENDED ITEMS
INLAND WATERS VISUAL DISTRESS SIGNALS
 Recommend a day and night distress signal.
 Number and type depend on operating conditions.
 Alternatives to pyrotechnic devices (flares)
include:
Night Day Strobe light
Signal mirror
Flashlight
Red or Orange flags
Lantern
Hand signals
OTHER GOOD STUFF TO KNOW
REPORTING MAY VARY
FROM STATE TO STATE
 Loss of life.
 Injury requiring more
than first aid.
 Loss of the boat.
 Boat or property
damage more than
$2,000
 Reporting time lines
LET’S TALK A MOMENT LONGER
 Have a Float Plan
 Offshore operations
are different than inland
 Nautical Charts and
navigation aids
 Fuel management
 Weather forecast
 Boating checklist
HOMELAND SECURITY
HANDY ITEMS TO HAVE ON-BOARD
Tool kit
Spare prop
Fuses
Paddle
Boat hook
Water
Sun screen
Rain gear
#4. SOBER BOATING SAVES LIVES
Alcohol use is the leading contributing factor
in fatal boating accidents; it was listed as the
leading factor in 17% (121) of 2008’s fatalities.
FOUR PRINCIPALS OF SAFE BOATING
1. WEARING LIFE JACKETS SAVES LIVES
Always Wear Your Life Jacket
2. BOATER EDUCATION SAVES LIVES Take A Boating Course
3. SAFE BOATS SAVE LIVES Get a Free Vessel Safety Check
4. SAFE & SOBER BOATING SAVES LIVES
Never Boat Under the Influence
PREPARED BY
Disclaimer: The US Coast Guard and USCG Auxiliary do not endorse
any product or brand shown in this presentation. We do endorse
responsible boating and ensuring required items are USCG approved.
We appreciate our boating safety partners permitting use of their
photographs and the National Safe Boating Council posters.