To make certain your small boat is seaworthy and most of essentials are aboard, take 15minutes for a fast review before launching. Complete a pre-departure checklist ahead to launching and you will be certain that your boat is in good working order with all the necessary equipment up to speed.

• First Assess the operating condition of your vessel: motor, steering, battery, hoses, clamps, wiring, fuel tanks, lines, float switches. Always test your ship lights and take extra batteries. Have and check all of navigation lights required for your ship. Make sure all instrument lights are working.

• If you get a dual charging system, make certain that the selector switch in the proper position. Be certain that the power is to the entire vessel. In the event the batteries are rechargeable, be certain they are charged.

• Open all hatches and run the mill after you refuel and before becoming underway. Sniff for fumes before starting the engine of course, should you smell fumes, then do not start the engine.

• On any powered boat or auxiliary powered sailboat, or vessels using LPG for heating or cooking, assess that indoor spaces are ventilated before death.

• be sure you have atleast one U.S. Coast Guard-approved entire life coat of size and type and properly fitting for you as well as every single passenger (and, on the water, make sure they are worn, perhaps not just stowed). It is wise to attach a whistle to each lifetime coat.
Also boats More than 16 feet must have an additional Type I V or throwable flotation device - i.e. buoyant cushion, ring buoy, or horseshoe buoy

• Carry a minumum of 1 fire extinguisher and make sure it's charged and accessible.

• Make certain that you have one anchor group up. Take two or three additional pier lines in case you encounter unusual conditions dockside. Inspect the lines that you employ for wear or tear. Take at Work Boat Hire on board for docking or towing whenever required.

• Emergency provides - Maintain on board in a floating bowl: charts of the neighborhood spot, flares, a medical kit.

• Assess for additional safety equipment appropriate to the magnitude of your ship and the spot where it will likely be operating; flashlight and spare batteries, toolkit, a sunscreen, paddles, oars, binoculars, visual distress signals, and a vhf fm marine radio. You might like to have a horn capable of producing a four-second burst audible for 1/2 mile up to speed.


• Assess the power plate (when affixed to the hull) or figure out the optimum load to be certain you do not overload the boat with gear and passengers.

• Ensure that your enrollment is current and onboard with you and your ship. Have all other necessary papers like radio permit, fishing license, etc. on board. Have the chart or charts for the location you intend to escape in, no matter one's degree of local understanding.

If you aren't certain you could complete all of the essential checking yourself, then use a free Vessel Safety Check from the US Coast Guard. They offer free boat assessments to check the presence and condition of certain Safety Equipment required by State and the Federal regulations. Free of charge, they'll provide a specialist to take a look at your boat and make helpful boating safety hints and recommendations.