Boating Safety Checklist - Safety and Prevention Tips

Being out on your boat puts you further from help than you might expect, even if you’re just a few hundred feet from shore. Play it safe by following the guidelines below. But don’t stop there—learn as much as you can about boating safety from reliable sources like the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and the United States Power Squadrons®. (You can even get a discount for certain courses.)

Always wear a personal flotation device (PFD) when boating. Drowning was reported as the cause of death in two-thirds of all fatalities. Approximately 90 percent of those who drowned were not wearing life jackets

Don’t use an inflatable toy as a substitute for a PFD. Twenty-nine children age 12 and under lost their lives while boating

Never drink and boat. Alcohol use was either a direct or indirect contributing factor in approximately one-fifth of all boating fatalities.

Pay attention to weather changes. Head for shore when winds increase or storm clouds roll in.

Always tell someone where you’re going and when you plan to return.

Be aware of exhaust emissions. Avoid areas where carbon monoxide collects in and around your boat.

Follow Red, Right, Returning. Keep red buoys to your right (starboard) and green buoys to your left (port) when returning from sea.

Take a boating safety course from an expert organization, such as the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary or United States Power Squadrons®. Consistent with previous years, 70 percent of reported fatalities occurred on boats where the operator had not received boating safety instruction.

And make sure your boat insurance is up-to-date. Allstate offers boat insurance, complete with features and discounts that can help you get the personalized protection you want for you and your boat.

All statistics are from the U.S. Coast Guard’s Boating Statistics: 2006, the latest official record of reported recreational boating accidents. The full report is available online at www.uscgboating.org/statistics/Boating_Statistics_2006.pdf