While You Are Boating

• Be especially careful if you have a small boat (a boat 20' or under). The overwhelming majority of capsizings occur on small boats because of sudden weight shifts.
• Keep a good lookout. Failure to do so causes most collisions. You need a second person to act as a lookout if towing a skier. The lookout should indicate a fallen skier by raising a brightly colored flag.
• Travel at safe speeds. Give swimmers, skiers and divers a wide berth.
• Don't ride on the bow or gunwales. Also, never ride on seat backs or in any unsteady position.
• Always use lights in fog, bad weather, and at night. In fog areas of reduced visibility, you must give a prolonged blast (4-6 seconds) at least once every two minutes
• Know who has the right of way. In general, large boats, tugs, barges, and fishing vessels have the right of way over other boats. Sailboats, rowboats, and canoes have the right of way over motorboats. Any boat being overtaken has the right of way.
• Pay attention to markers. The expression "red right returning" has long been used as a reminder that red buoys are passed on the starboard side (right) when proceeding from the open sea into the dock (upstream), and green buoys are passed on the port side (left). For more information on the nautical traffic signs in your area, contact local boating officials.
• If you are in distress, or are observing another vessel in distress, transmit the International Distress Call on VHF channel 16, "Mayday, Mayday, Mayday." State your vessel's name, where you are, what is wrong, kind of assistance needed, and your listening frequency and schedule. The coast Guard also monitors CB channel 9 whenever resources permit such monitoring. VHF channel 16 is constantly monitored.
• Choose a safe spot to anchor - one that's well-protected, has water of a suitable depth and a flat bottom. Never anchor from the stern (rear) of the boat.
• Don't pollute the water with leaky oil or fuel, litter or toilet discharge. It's illegal to pollute.
• If you are involved in an accident, you must provide your name, address, and vessel registration number to other involved parties, provide assistance to any injured persons, and, in case of death or disappearance, report the accident without delay to law enforcement officials. If the accident is a serious one, you may need to make a written report to the Department of Boating and Waterways.