Tips to Stay Safe While Boating & Canoeing

There are thousands of recreational boating accidents per year. Contributing factors to these accidents include traveling too fast for water or weather conditions, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, failing to follow boating rules and regulations, carelessness and inexperience.

To prevent boating accidents, we offer these safety suggestions:

Wear a life jacket.

No matter what activity you have planned on the water, always remember to wear a life jacket every time you are on the water. Accidents on the water can happen much too fast to reach and put on a stowed life jacket. Make sure your life jacket is U.S. Coast Guard approved, appropriate for your water activity and fits properly. A life jacket that is too large or too small can cause different situational problems.

Have a capsize plan.

Water vessel accidents can happen when a boat capsizes or someone falls overboard. Should this happen to you, don't panic. Stay upstream of the boat to avoid being pinned between it and a rock. If you capsize your canoe, angle your way up to shore instead of paddling straight. Hold the canoe for floatation while staying behind the vessel. In addition to wearing a life jacket, carry a canoeing whistle to get the attention of someone if help is needed.

Know state boating laws.

Rules and laws can differ from state to state, and violations can result in ticketing, fines or jail time. Including knowing the “Rules of the Road,” be aware of the distress signals that are understood. Equip the vessel with required navigation lights and with a whistle, horn or bell.

Take a boating safety course.

Learn valuable tips that can help save your life in unexpected situations by taking a NASBLA (National Association of Boating Law Administrators) approved boating safety course. Many courses are online and will save you money on your boat insurance. Skippers can obtain free advice and boating-safety courses from the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. Upon request, the auxiliary will conduct a Courtesy Marine Examination (CME) on your boat, checking electrical and safety equipment and fuel hoses. Boats meeting safety standards are awarded the CME decal "Seal of Safety."

Make sure your boat is prepared.

When you are loading supplies for your water excursion, be sure to know your boat’s capacity. If you have too much on your boat, the boat may become unstable and capsize. In addition to food and drink, it is a good idea to have sunscreen, a first aid kit, plenty of water, dry clothes, and a map. Bring a rope to pull a swimmer to safety or tow another boat if needed.

Check engine, fuel, electrical and steering systems, especially for exhaust-system leaks. Carry one or more fire extinguishers, matched to the size and type of boat. Keep them readily accessible and in condition for immediate use.

There are many items that need to be checked and rechecked on any boat. Schedule a Vessel Safety Check with your local U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary or U.S. Power Squadrons before you hit the water. Every Vessel Safety Check is conducted 100 percent free of charge. 

Check the weather, including the water temperature.

Know the latest marine weather forecast prior to going out and keep a regular check for changing conditions. If the weather forecast predicts poor conditions, that is a sign to not take the boat out on the water. It's also important to know the area where you plan on boating or canoeing. Understand if the water conditions are high and fast or low and slow. 

Dress properly.

Always dress for the weather, wearing layers if cooler weather, and bring an extra set of clothes (and store them in a waterproof container) in case you get wet.

Always file a float plan.

File a float plan with someone you trust that includes details about the trip, boat, persons, towing or trailer vehicle, communication equipment, and emergency contacts.

Always follow navigation rules.

Know the “Rules of the Road” such as operator’s responsibility, maintaining a proper lookout, safe speed, crossing, meeting head-on, and overtaking situations. Know what’s always going on around you and always travel at safe speeds for the environment.

Avoid drugs and alcohol. 

Where the primary cause was known, alcohol was listed as a leading factor in boating-related deaths. Just like driving a vehicle on land, stay sober when operating a boat on water. Keep an alert lookout for other watercraft, swimmers, floating debris, and shallow waters.

Beware of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Gasoline-powered engines on boats, including onboard generators, produce carbon monoxide (CO), a colorless and odorless gas that can poison or kill someone who breathes too much of it. Be sure to install and maintain a working CO detector, never block exhaust outlets, and always dock, beach, or anchor at least 20 feet away from the nearest boat that is running a generator or engine.

Keep in touch.

Communication devices can be the most important piece of emergency equipment on board a vessel, especially in case of emergency. Be sure to have at least two communication devices that work when wet, such as satellite phones, emergency position indicating radio beacons (EPIRB), VHF radios, and personal locator beacons (PLB). And know how they work.

If you are interested in learning more about Boatowners Insurance, read more about what IMT Insurance has to offer.