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Boating safety tips

Help stay safe on the water by being prepared with these boat safety tips.

Whether using a boat for fishing, swimming, water skiing or just cruising with your family and friends — it's important to familiarize yourself with the rules, requirements and recommendations of boating safety. Regardless of experience, consider reviewing the following boating basics before you set out on a watercraft.

Get your boat checked

Before you get on the water, see that your boat is seaworthy by scheduling a U.S. Coast Guard Vessel Safety Check. This courtesy evaluation is a free and convenient way to check your boat's compliance with state and federal boating equipment regulations. And don't forget to inspect your boat trailer as well.

Take an approved boat safety course

There are plenty of good reasons to be an educated boat operator. Chief among them: safety. According to the U.S. Coast Guard, 75% of deaths occurred on boats where the operator did not receive boating safety instruction. The knowledge gained from these courses can help save lives and help reduce injuries and property damage.

In the United States, 36 states require operators to take an approved boating safety course as part of their boat licensing or safety certification process. A boat safety course will teach basic marine operation, navigation and safety, as well as federal and state boating regulations and waterway rules.

Know the boating rules of the water

Just like when driving a car there are rules of the road, driving a boat brings its own set of rules. Here are some examples.

Be prepared with a boat safety equipment checklist

You can't always prevent emergencies on the water, but you can be equipped to deal with them effectively. The U.S. Coast Guard suggests you have the following items on your boat:

Consider these boating basics

Purchase boat insurance

Your home, your car and your boat are all investments worth protecting, and that means buying boat insurance. Contact a State Farm® agent to discuss potential discounts and your boat insurance coverage options before you put your boat in the water.

The information in this article was obtained from various sources not associated with State Farm® (including State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates). While we believe it to be reliable and accurate, we do not warrant the accuracy or reliability of the information. State Farm is not responsible for, and does not endorse or approve, either implicitly or explicitly, the content of any third party sites that might be hyperlinked from this page. The information is not intended to replace manuals, instructions or information provided by a manufacturer or the advice of a qualified professional, or to affect coverage under any applicable insurance policy. These suggestions are not a complete list of every loss control measure. State Farm makes no guarantees of results from use of this information.

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