SAFETY

Each year hundreds of lives are lost... thousands are injured... and millions of dollars of property damage occurs because of preventable recreational boating accidents on U.S. waterways. Too often pleasure outings turn tragic. You — as a boat operator, passenger, or concerned individual — can make a difference.

Vessel Safety Check

Learn how a free vessel safety check can help you navigate through problem situations.

Boating Safety Courses

Operator errors account for 70% of boating accidents — take a course.

Going Paddling? Know your limits!

Whether you are sea-kayaking, standup paddle-boarding, canoeing, or kayaking, check out these safety tips from the American Canoe Association.

Carbon Monoxide

Educate yourself about this potentially lethal boating danger.

BUI Initiatives

The risk is high and the consequences severe — know the dangers and avoid being a victim of BUI.

Life Jacket Wear/Wearing your Life Jacket

The U.S. Coast Guard estimates that life jackets could have saved the lives of over 80 percent of boating fatality victims.

As a boat operator, you're in command of the safety of your passengers. But accidents can, and do happen with terrifying speed on the water. There's rarely time to reach stowed life jackets.

The U.S. Coast Guard challenges you and your passengers to wear your life jacket all the time while underway.

Float Planning

Why should you take the time to prepare a float plan?  The answer is simple... there are just too many facts that need to be accurately remembered and ultimately conveyed in an emergency situation.

Accident Reporting

The U.S. Coast Guard hopes that you’re never involved in a boating accident.
 
But Federal Law requires you as the operator to file a boating accident report with your State reporting authority if you are.

 

RESOURCES

Media and Marketing Materials

Members of the press, boating safety specialists and advocates, and the general public are invited to utilize any and all of the media and marketing materials in this section.

 

Photo Library

The U.S. Coast Guard has provided the Image Library as a resource tool for boating safety specialists, advocates and the general public.

 

Video Library

The U.S. Coast Guard has provided the Video Library as a resource tool for boating safety specialists, advocates and the general public.

QUICK LINKS

 

 


 
 
 
 
 
   safe a float