Boating Safety and Education
Find out the U.S. Coast Guard boating safety requirements, safe boating best practices, where to take a boating safety course, and know what to do in an emergency.
Cold Weather Boating
Don't miss out on boating during winter months if you live in an area with year round boating opportunities. Learn how to prepare, and then go boating!
Don't miss out on boating during winter months if you live in an area with year round boating opportunities. Learn how to prepare, and then go boating!
Water Survival Techniques
If you end up in the water, follow these vital instructions to increase your chances of surviving.
If you end up in the water, follow these vital instructions to increase your chances of surviving.
Cold Weather Boating Gear
If you plan to go boating in cold weather or in perpetually cold waters, stock up on essential cold weather boating gear.
If you plan to go boating in cold weather or in perpetually cold waters, stock up on essential cold weather boating gear.
Boating Safety in Severe Weather - Waterspouts
An important part of boating safety is being aware of the dangers of severe marine weather. Find out what to do when you are boating and spot a waterspout.
An important part of boating safety is being aware of the dangers of severe marine weather. Find out what to do when you are boating and spot a waterspout.
Operate Your Boat at a Safe Speed at Night
In this Live & Learn article learn from a real-life experience why operating your boat at a safe speed at night can save lives and ways to implement this smart boating safety practice.
In this Live & Learn article learn from a real-life experience why operating your boat at a safe speed at night can save lives and ways to implement this smart boating safety practice.
Drinking While Boating - Don't Do It!
Drinking while boating is a bad idea for operators and passengers. Avoid hefty fines, losing your operator's license, or jail time by not drinking and boating.
Drinking while boating is a bad idea for operators and passengers. Avoid hefty fines, losing your operator's license, or jail time by not drinking and boating.
Optional Safety Equipment for Your Boat
A list of the top five optional – but highly recommended – safety equipment you should consider for your boat.
A list of the top five optional – but highly recommended – safety equipment you should consider for your boat.
Coast Guard Boating Safety Requirements by Boat Size
The U.S. Coast Guard has different safety equipment requirements for recreational boats depending upon boat size. Find out the required equipment for your vessel.
The U.S. Coast Guard has different safety equipment requirements for recreational boats depending upon boat size. Find out the required equipment for your vessel.
Boating Safety Rules for Boats Under 16 feet
Use this handy reference to comply with the USCG boating safety rules if your boat is under 16 feet.
Use this handy reference to comply with the USCG boating safety rules if your boat is under 16 feet.
Boating Safety Rules for Boats 16 to Under 26 feet
Use this handy reference to comply with the USCG boating safety rules if your boat is at least 16 feet to under 26 feet.
Use this handy reference to comply with the USCG boating safety rules if your boat is at least 16 feet to under 26 feet.
Boating Safety Rules for Boats 26 to under 40 feet
Use this handy reference to comply with the USCG boating safety rules if your boat is at least 26 feet but under 40 feet.
Use this handy reference to comply with the USCG boating safety rules if your boat is at least 26 feet but under 40 feet.
Boating Safety Rules for Boats 40 to under 65 feet
Use this handy reference to comply with the USCG boating safety rules if your boat is at least 40 feet but under 65 feet.
Use this handy reference to comply with the USCG boating safety rules if your boat is at least 40 feet but under 65 feet.
Boating Safety Best Practices
Embrace these boating safety best practices to help prevent boating accidents. If the worst does happen in spite of your best efforts - you will have at least increased your chances of survival.
Embrace these boating safety best practices to help prevent boating accidents. If the worst does happen in spite of your best efforts - you will have at least increased your chances of survival.
Life Jackets Basic Training
Before choosing a life jacket, learn about the kinds and types of U.S. Coast Guard approved personal floatation devices, and the minimum requirements under federal regulations.
Before choosing a life jacket, learn about the kinds and types of U.S. Coast Guard approved personal floatation devices, and the minimum requirements under federal regulations.
Reasons to Wear a Life Jacket While Boating
Having life jackets aboard your boat is good, but since accidents can happen too fast to put it on, wearing a life jacket is best.
Having life jackets aboard your boat is good, but since accidents can happen too fast to put it on, wearing a life jacket is best.
Choosing and Using a Life Jacket While Boating
New life jacket designs remove common excuses boaters give for not wearing a life jacket while boating. Choose the right style for your activity and be comfortable - and safe - while you boat.
New life jacket designs remove common excuses boaters give for not wearing a life jacket while boating. Choose the right style for your activity and be comfortable - and safe - while you boat.
Boating Safety - Take a Boating Safety Course
Statistic show that taking a boating safety course reduces the amount of boat accidents and fatalities. Take a boating safety course with one of these organizations that offer boater education classes.
Statistic show that taking a boating safety course reduces the amount of boat accidents and fatalities. Take a boating safety course with one of these organizations that offer boater education classes.
File a Float Plan
Filing a float plan with friends or family before you leave the dock is an important aspect of boating safety. If things take a turn for the worse, they can relay important information to rescuers.
Filing a float plan with friends or family before you leave the dock is an important aspect of boating safety. If things take a turn for the worse, they can relay important information to rescuers.
U.S. Coast Guard Safety Equipment Regulations
The U.S. Coast Guard safe boating site details safety equipment requirements for all boats.
The U.S. Coast Guard safe boating site details safety equipment requirements for all boats.
Safe Boating Education Requirements
Most states have boating education laws - find out if yours requires you to take a safe boating course before operating a boat.
Most states have boating education laws - find out if yours requires you to take a safe boating course before operating a boat.
National Safe Boating Council
The National Safe Boating Council promotes safe boating through education. Find venues to take an online or traditional boating safety course.
The National Safe Boating Council promotes safe boating through education. Find venues to take an online or traditional boating safety course.
Boat Safe Kids
Kids submit safe boating questions, and receive easy to understand answers.
Kids submit safe boating questions, and receive easy to understand answers.