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Safety information
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EMU33772
Avoid collisions
Scan constantly for people, objects, and other
boats. Be alert for conditions that limit your
visibility or block your vision of others.
Operate defensively at safe speeds and keep
a safe distance away from people, objects,
and other boats.
● Do not follow directly behind other boats or
waterskiers.
● Avoid sharp turns or other maneuvers that
make it hard for others to avoid you or un-
derstand where you are going.
● Avoid areas with submerged objects or
shallow water.
● Ride within your limits and avoid aggressive
maneuvers to reduce the risk of loss of con-
trol, ejection, and collision.
● Take early action to avoid collisions. Re-
member, boats do not have brakes, and
stopping the engine or reducing throttle can
reduce the ability to steer. If you are not
sure that you can stop in time before hitting
an obstacle, apply throttle and turn in anoth-
er direction.
EMU33790
Weather
Stay informed about the weather. Check
weather forecasts before boating. Avoid boat-
ing in hazardous weather.
EMU33800
Accident reporting
Boat operators are required by law to file a
Boating Accident Report with their state boat-
ing law enforcement agency if their boat is in-
volved in any of the following accidents:
1. There is loss of life or probable loss of life.
2. There is personal injury that requires
medical attention beyond first aid.
3. There is property damage to boats or oth-
er property over a certain amount.
4. There is complete loss of a boat.
Contact local law enforcement personnel if a
report is necessary.
EMU33870
Boat education and training
Operators should take a boating safety
course. This may be required in your state.
Many of the organizations listed in the next
section can provide information about cours-
es in your area.
You may also want to consider an Internet-
based program for basic boater education.
The Online Boating Safety Course provided
by the BoatU.S. Foundation, is approved by
the National Association of State Boating Law
Administrators (NASBLA) and recognized by
the United States Coast Guard. Most, but not
all, states accept this course to meet their
minimum requirements. While it cannot re-
place an in-depth course such as one offered
by the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Power Squad-
ron, or other organization, this online course
does provide a general overview of the basics
in boating safety, requirements, navigation,
and operation. Upon successful completion of
the course, the user can download a certifi-
cate of completion immediately or, for a small
charge, request one by mail. To take this free
course, go to boatus.org.
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