Boating Safety Checklist: How to Avoid Becoming a Tragic Statistic

From the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Florida, with its great year-round weather and plenty of access to fresh and saltwater, is the boating capital of the world. The Sunshine State leads the nation with nearly one million registered vessels and is known as a prime boating spot for residents and visitors. Unfortunately, each year FWC officers respond to far too many tragic boating accidents that could have been prevented.

Each year, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission releases the Boating Accident Statistical Report prior to National Safe Boating Week (May 17-23).  The reports are available here.

Here’s a great boating safety checklist from the agency:

Life Jackets Save Lives

The FWC encourages boaters to find a comfortable life jacket and always wear it while boating. Approximately 60 percent of boating deaths are due to drowning. Events can cause a boater to end up in the water unexpectedly, and a person will not have time to grab their life jacket before they find themselves in the water.

Know What’s Going On Around Your Boat At All Times

The FWC encourages boaters to pay attention and maintain 360-degree awareness while operating a boat. This includes what a boater sees and hears. According to FWC boating accident statistics, half of all reportable boating accidents were due to collisions, 51% of those collisions were attributed to operator inattention or improper lookout.

Zero Tolerance

The FWC reminds boaters that boating while impaired by alcohol or drugs is dangerous and illegal. FWC officers will be looking for impaired operators and these operators will face arrest if found to be operating under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Over 20 percent of boating fatalities are alcohol- or drug-related.

Take a Boating Safety Course

The FWC says 83 percent of operators involved in fatal boating accidents had no formal boater education. An educated boater is safer on the water. If a boat operator has taken a boating safety education course the likelihood of their time spent on the water being a safe is much greater for them as well as their passengers. Everyone can benefit from taking a boating safety course, even if not required to under current law.

Use of Technology Can Save Lives

The FWC encourages boaters to purchase, register and have onboard the boat an emergency locator beacon. This could be an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) or a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB). These devices can be used by any boater to ensure search and rescue teams find you quickly in the event of an emergency.

Float Plans

Let family and friends know where you are going and when you will return.  The sooner rescuers can get on the water and to the location of an overdue boater, the more likely the outcome will be positive.

Check Safety Equipment

Check safety equipment before getting out on the water. In addition to having the required equipment such as life jackets, whistle/horn, lights, fire extinguisher and flares, make sure you have optional equipment (based on where you are boating) that can help in an emergency.

Personal Watercrafts

Following safe boating guidelines is especially important when operating a Personal Watercraft (PWC).  Most PWC accidents result in reportable injuries  Every person on board a PWC must wear a non-inflatable, USCG approved life jacket and the operator must attach the engine cut off switch lanyard. No person under 14 years of age may operate a PWC on Florida waters.

Renting a PWC is often high on the list for residents and visitors. If you do decide to rent a PWC, make sure to do your homework and rent from a livery that’s following the law. Liveries must have proof of insurance and provide boating safety instruction for renters who were born on or after Jan. 1, 1988, and instruction for proper operation for everyone. They must provide renters with the proper safety equipment and can’t rent a PWC to anyone under 18.

Know Where You’re Going

Familiarize yourself with local boating speed zones before setting out. FWC’s website has maps of manatee zones for boaters to take with them during a day on the water here. Remember, always travel at a safe speed for environmental conditions.

Watch the Weather

Weather on the water can change rapidly. Always check the forecast before departing for the day and keep an eye on the horizon for possible storms that may blow in unexpectedly. It’s better to cut a day on the water short than to “weather” a storm and rough seas.

Diver Down

Divers, even those who wade in, should stay within 300 feet of a properly displayed divers-down warning device (red with a white diagonal stripe on a flag or buoy, for example) when in open water and within 100 feet of a properly displayed divers-down warning device if on a river, inlet, or navigation channel. Boat operators must slow to idle speed if they need to travel within 300 feet of a divers-down warning device in open water or 100 feet of one on a river, inlet, or navigational channel.

Diver-down warning symbols displayed on vessels must be at least 20 inches by 24 inches. If you are using a flag, a stiffener is required to keep it unfurled, it must be displayed from the highest point of the vessel, must be visible from all directions and must be displayed only when divers are in the water. So, when the divers are out of the water, don’t forget to take it down. Divers-down symbols towed by divers must be at least 12 inches by 12 inches. More information on divers-down warning devices is available online at MyFWC.com/Boating by clicking on “Boating Regulations."

A Diver-Down Warning Device Displayed from a Boat Must:

• Be displayed from the highest point of the boat so that their view is not obstructed in any direction.
• Must be at least 20 inches by 24 inches.
• Flags must have a stiffener to keep it extended (visible) when there is no wind.

Boaters Must:

• Stay at least 300 feet away from a divers-down warning device when in open waters such as bays, oceans and gulf. (300 feet=football field)
• Stay at least 100 feet away from a divers-down warning device when in narrow water ways such as rivers or canals.
• Travel at idle speed, fully settled in the water, if the boat must pass within the distances stated above.

Divers/Snorkelers Must:

• Stay within 300 feet of a divers-down warning device in open waters such as bays, oceans and gulf.
• Stay within 100 feet of a divers-down warning device in narrow water ways such as rivers or canals.
• Only display divers-down warning devices while divers/snorkelers are in the water.
• Stay with the boat – If you find yourself in open water after an accident or a capsize event, do your best to stay with the boat even if it’s partially submerged. Searching for a single individual in open water can be extremely difficult both from the air and sea. A vessel, even a small one, is much more visible to rescuers and staying with the boat will increase your chances of being found.

Engine Cut-Off Switch

A cut-off switch is a safety mechanism used to shut off propulsion machinery when the operator is displaced from the helm. Engine cut-off switches are an important tool to prevent unnecessary accidents, injuries and deaths caused by a recreational vessel operator being unexpectedly displaced from the helm. This includes situations where the operator is ejected from the vessel, which typically leads to a runaway vessel.

Temporary Slow Speed Zones for Emergency Vessels

When approaching an emergency vessel with their emergency lights activated (to include, but not limited to a law enforcement vessel, a US Coast Guard vessel, or a fire rescue vessel), a should move over and give a wide berth when passing.  If the person’s is within 300 feet of the emergency vessel, they must operate their vessel at slow speed, with a minimum wake.

Temporary Slow Speed Zone for Construction Vessels

When approaching construction vessels or barges with a properly displayed orange construction flag, a person must operate their vessel at slow speed, minimum wake if they are within 300 feet of the vessel or barge.  (A properly displayed construction flag must be orange, at least 2’ by 3’, with a stiffener or be made so the flag remains fully unfurled.)

To report people who are operating boats dangerously, call 888-404-FWCC or text Tip@MyFWC.com.

More information can be found by visiting MyFWC.com/Boating. You can even search there for the Florida Boat Ramp Finder to help you find a great place to launch your boat!

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