Boating Safety Equipment Checklist

Aug 04, 2021

Summer on the Shore is filled with a variety of water activities that may take place on or around a boat.  This time every year, it’s a good idea to review the basic rules of boater safety as well as Coast Guard and the Department of Natural Resources’ regulations. One should be aware of and follow all the rules. We should all take it very seriously, knowing the statistics. According to USGC Boating Safety, in 2019 the Coast Guard counted 4,168 accidents that involved deaths, 2,559 injuries and approximately $55 million dollars of property damage as a result of recreational boating accidents. Who knows how many unreported accidents and injuries occurred? So whether you’re a newbie behind the captain’s wheel or this is your umpteenth time on a boat, be sure to consider these ways to make the most of your time on the water while keeping your loved ones and yourself out of harm’s way.

One of the easiest ways to ensure that every passenger is safe is by making sure that each individual (even our furry friends) have access to a properly fitted life jacket, and even better, that they wear it. In Delaware, children under twelve must have one on at all times and in Maryland, it’s children under thirteen on any boat under twenty-one feet in length. The only time this doesn’t apply is when the boat is moored or anchored, or if the child is below deck in an enclosed cabin. Prior to even setting out on the water, life jackets should be fitted by checking a few simple things.  Make sure all buckles and straps work properly so that the jacket doesn’t slip off over the head and it’s snug but still able to be zipped up completely. 



While not always the easiest, one of the most important safety measures is checking to make sure the boat is running properly and well equipped for whatever water adventure you plan on taking, whether river, bay or ocean. A pre-departure checklist may take time but it can save you from forgetting something essential for your safety.