Recreational Boating Safety Information & Resources
Welcome
As a boat operator, you're expected to make sure your vessel carries the required safety equipment (carriage requirement) and is in compliance with the federal and state regulations.
Why do we publish this content online? As part of cutting back on government waste and a reduction in the U.S. debt, we are in the process of transferring large amounts of what used to be available only in printed media, to a digital environment, saving countless tens of thousands of taxpayer dollars.
Been involved in a boating accident? Submit a Recreational Boating Accident form
Is your organization interested in collaborating with the Coast Guard Auxiliary to teach and encourage boating safety? Take a look at our Boating Safety Partnerships wiki and see what we can do together.
A Boater's Guide to the Federal Requirements for Recreational Boats
This publication contains information about federal laws and equipment carriage requirements for recreational vessels of the United States. It is important that you understand that federal equipment requirements are minimum requirements and do not guarantee the safety of your vessel or its passengers.
In addition to the requirements stated in this web domain, the owner/operator may be required to comply with additional regulations and/or laws specific to the state in which the vessel is registered or operated.
A vessel in compliance with the laws of the state of registration may not meet the requirements of another state where the vessel is being operated.
A Boater's Guide to the Federal Requirements for Recreational Boats, Chapters:
- Vessel Safety Checks (Title 14 USC Section 200-800/2000/89)
- Registration & Documentation (33 CFR 173 & 46 CFR 67)
- Life Jacket (PFDs) Laws & Information (33 CFR 175)
- Visual Distress Signal Laws & Information (33 CFR 175.101)
- Fire Extinguishers (46 CFR 25)
- Ventilation (33 CFR 175/183, 46 CFR 25)
- Backfire Flame Control (46 CFR 25/58)
- Sound Producing Devices (33 CFR 83)
- Navigation lights (33 CFR 83)
- U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement (Title 14 Section 89)
- Negligent Operation (46 USC 2302(a) (b))
- Coast Guard Boarding Policy (Title 14 Section 89)
- Coast Guard Boarding ( 46 (USC 2302 (a) (b))
- Boating Under the Influence (BUI /BWI) (46 USC 2302 (c) /33 CFR 95)
- Reporting Boating Accidents (33 CFR 173.55
- Termination of Use (46 USC 4308/33 CFR 177.05)
- Rendering Assistance (46USC 2304)
- Requesting Assistance (Non-Distress Call)
- Safety and Survival Tips
- Carbon Monoxide Hazards
- Overloading
- Anchoring
- Staying Afloat
- Inflatable Life Rafts
- Cold-Water Survival
- Hypothermia
- Fueling Precautions
- Communications
- Satellite EPIRBs
- Marine Radios on Vessels
- Digital Selective Calling (DCS)
- Rescue 21
- SOS: Ships in Distress
- Regulated Navigation Areas / Limited Access Areas (33 CFR 165)
- Naval Vessel Protection Zone (33 CFR)
- False Distress Alerts (Title 14 USC)
- America's Waterway Watch
U.S. Aids to Navigation
Aids to Navigation can provide a boater with information similar to that which drivers get from
- Street signs
- Stop signals
- Road barriers
- Detours
- Traffic lights.
This webpage and correlating publication provides the recreational boater basic information. This information will help you recognize, understand, and navigate by the colors, shapes, numbers, and lights on the water anlong with basic tools to read a nautical charts.
The Navigation Rules are much like the rules of the road on the highway. They establish a consistent way to navigate safely and avoid collisions when two boats are crossing paths, are on course to meet head-on, or when one boat wishes to overtake another.
The U.S. Aids to Navigation System is a system maintained by the U.S. Coast Guard, consisting of visual, audible, and electronic signals which are designed to assist the prudent mariner in the process of navigation. The aids to navigation system is not intended to identify every shoal or obstruction to navigation which exists in the navigable waters of the United States, but rather provides for reasonable marking of marine features as resources permit. U.S. Aids to Navigation System (USATONS)
To download a copy of the U.S. Coast Guard's Aids to Navigation please click here, To download a copy of the U.S. Coast Guard's Navigation Rules: http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=navRulesDownLoad
Exploring Federal Navigation
Should you wish to explore the subject of Federal navigation rules further, below are some additional resources.
To search Federal navigation regulations: http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=search
To view Federal navigation regulations site map: http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=siteMap
For more information from the Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Coast Guard on navigation please visit their Navigation Center for Excellence: http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/index.php
Recreational Boating Accident Statistics
For Recreational Boating Accident Statistics for 1999 to 2010, visit our Accident Statistics website.
Information on Recreational Boating Accident Statistics is provided as an information resources for the recreational boating public. These statistics are published by the U.S. Coast Guard Office of Auxiliary and Boating Safety. Statistics may not be used for any purpose that shall result in or is part of a civil legal act, or any civil litigation / court process. This publication is also prohibited from use by any insurance company, or attorney('s / office) outside of those employed by the U.S. Government.
If you have been in a boating accident, you are required by law to submit a Recreational Boating Accident form to the U.S. Coast Guard & any local law enforcement or other considered agency. You may obtain a copy of the Recreational Boating Accident form via any of the links provided.
Other Publications & Resources
Recreational Boating Handouts
Recreational Boating Accident Report Form
While being in a boating accident is a stressful event, we work to make the reporting of the accident as simple as possible. As part of this mission we new offer a fillable Recreational Boating Accident Report Form. This form may be filled-out via your computer, printed and mailed. Gone are the days to print a form, fill it out by hand, and worried about corrections, changes etc. Download a fillable Accident Report Form.
USCG-AUX Float Plan
Float plans save lives. Now world’s most effective float plan offers unprecedented flexibility, and ease of use. Gone are the days of having to prepare a float plan from scratch each and every time you go boating. Now, you can do it all electronically, using Adobe Reader version 8 or later. You can set up a basic plan ahead of time and save it. Update it when you decide where you’re going to go. Then e-mail the completed plan to whoever you choose to follow up should you not return or check-in as planned. Download a Float Plan
Departure Checklist
When you are leaving your home for a day on the water you probably have a list either in your head or written down of items to-do before you go. Every thought about a related list for when you leave the dock? Maybe you have, but don't know where to start. The U.S Coast Guard Auxiliary is here to help. We are pleased to offer you a pre departure list.
We also are pleased to offer the following additional checklists:
Vessel Waste Management Plan
While a Waste Management Plan is required aboard any vessel 26 ft. in overall length or greater that has trash receptacles onboard the vessel. All vessels 26 ft. in over all length or greater must also have a dumping restriction placard prominently displayed above, or near all trash receptacles and/or discharge areas. We currently only offer the Waste Management Plan in PDF downloadable format.
The Vessel Waste Management Plan & Restriction Placard are also recommended by the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary for vessels under 26 ft. in overall length who have a trash receptacle (i.e. trash bag, can, box etc. etc.) Download a PDF copy of the Vessel Waste Management Plan
Disposal of Visual Distress Signals (VDS)
As a safe boater you have bought all the best Distress Signal kits, but now it is time to replace them as they are expired. What do you do with the old expired pyrotechnic Distress Signals? The U.S. Coast Guard & U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary do not, in any form, accept expired Distress Signals. This memo is here to provide you guidance in what you can do with them. Never, for any reason dispose of a pyrotechnic Distress Signal in your household trash. Doing so is a felony, punishable by imprisonment and/or fines. You may Download a copy of options here.
How to make a VHF Call Memo
This document is a step-by-step memo from the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary to all recreational boaters. We cover how to make a VHF marine radio call from start to finish, along with all of the key points, terms and side notes you need to make your broadcast successful. Download your step-by-step memo.
Note: The channel decal is mandatory on all vessels 26 ft. in overall length or greater. If you are unsure of the mandatory required equipment for your vessel, please contact a U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary vessel examiner.
Digital Select Calling (DSC) for Recreational Boaters Memo
This, like the above is a memo regarding both the positives and drawbacks of using Digital Select Calling or DSC as it is commonly referred to. We welcome you to download and print as many copies of this publication as you need, pass them out to your friends, share it with other boaters. Spreading the word is the best thing you can do in supporting for the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. Download a Digital Select Calling memo.
Oil Discharge Prohibited Printout
Note: The for listed placard is mandatory on all vessels 26 ft. in overall length. If you are unsure of the mandatory required equipment for your vessel, please contact a U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary vessel examiner. Download an Oil Prohibited Printout.