Recreational boating safety guide

Boating activities like water skiing, wakeboarding and water tubing are memorable summer experiences. However, these activities come with inherent risks, including potential accidents, injuries and emergencies that can arise on the water.

By understanding and developing critical guidelines, protocols, training and safety practices, you can minimize risks and create a fun and safe boating and aquatics experience for everyone involved. 

Risk planning and policies

• Be aware of current boating laws, as they can differ from state to state. Regulations span from lifejacket requirements to managing different types of boating activities.

• Develop written policies on all boating activities and float plans for typical trips.

• Schedule regular maintenance inspections for your boat’s exhaust and engine with a trained mechanic.

• Identify environmental conditions, including low/high tide, submerged objects, sand bars, currents, etc.

Qualified drivers and training

The boat driver's skill and experience are paramount to the safety of everyone on board. Proper training and rehearsing procedures ensure the driver can handle the boat effectively and respond appropriately to emergencies. Boat drivers must:

• Complete a boating safety course and hold any required boating license.

• Have previous experience operating motorboats, especially for activities they will be running (water-skiing, towed devices, wake sports).

• Be skill-checked to ensure the driver can handle various scenarios such as maneuvering, docking, towing, emergency stops and person overboard recovery.

Pre-trip inspection

Implement a consistent checklist and practice of inspecting the boat and equipment to ensure they are in optimal condition before all trips. Regular inspections can identify and mitigate potential hazards.

• Boat condition: Inspect for damage and check that the engine and fuel system are in good working order. If towing is planned, check the towing set-up to ensure tow points are properly attached.

• Tow rope and equipment: Check the condition of all ropes, handles and connectors and verify that all skis, wakeboards and tubes are in good condition.

• Safety equipment: S. Coast Guard-approved lifejackets/personal flotation devices (one for each passenger), fire extinguisher, first aid kit, visual and sound signaling devices, throwable flotation device, anchor and line, and flashlight.

• Communication device: Radio or cellphone that will function for emergency communication.

• Weather check: Review current and forecasted weather conditions and cancel or postpone the trip if conditions are unsafe.

Orientation for Passengers

Educating passengers about safety procedures and protocols is vital for smooth operations and preventing accidents. A comprehensive safety briefing empowers everyone to act responsibly and be prepared for any situation. Safety briefing and rules of conduct include:

• Lifejacket demonstration and fitting.

• Boarding and exiting safely.

• Responsibilities of a spotter.

• Hand signals (speed up, slow down, stop, turn, etc.).

• Encourage passengers to remain aware of their surroundings and other watercraft.

• Behavior expectations, including staying seated, no horseplay, and following the driver’s instructions.

• Prohibit alcohol consumption for both driver and passengers.

• Emergency procedures (capsizing, person overboard, engine failure).

On the Water

• Require all passengers to wear a lifejacket/PFD.

• Only trained and approved drivers drive the boat.

• Plan to have at least two adult supervisors who can swim on board; if the boat has a capacity of only two or three people, there should be at least one adult who can swim on board.

• Follow the rules of the water on which you are boating. In lakes, for example, all boats travel counterclockwise.

• Never operate the boat in a high-traffic area or around swimmers.

• Do not permit diving from the boat unless you are sure the water is at least nine feet deep.

• For safe pick up from the water, approach the participant using slow speed and positioning. Approach from the downwind side, reducing speed well before reaching them.

• On all retrievals, turn off the engine once close enough to reach the participants to avoid propeller injuries.

Emergencies

If a passenger goes overboard, immediately stop the boat and keep them in sight. If the rider cannot reach the boat, use the following guidelines:

• Reach: Hold on to something sturdy in your surroundings and reach out to the rider with your hand, a pole, an oar/paddle, etc.

• Throw: If you can’t reach the rider, throw something that will float, or you can pull them in.

• Don’t go: Remember, only certified lifesavers should enter the water to rescue a swimmer.

• If your boat capsizes, account for all passengers immediately and ensure they wear lifejackets/PFDs.

• Stay with the boat if it capsizes or sinks, as it provides flotation and is more accessible for rescuers to spot.

• Signal for help by using visual and sound distress signals (waving your arms, making noise, using flares, horns or whistles).

Additional resources

• American National Standard on Basic Boating Knowledge – Core: ANSI/NASBLA 100-2022.

• State Law Dashboard.

• Wear It – Lifejackets for every boating activity.

To find more tips and helpful information for organizations like yours, visit blog.churchmutual.com.