9 Ways to Improve Boat Safety

When you think of summer, you might think of afternoons spent on the water with family and friends. With so many other activities to choose from, like fishing, swimming, water skiing, or enjoying the wind in your hair, boat safety may slip to the back of your mind, but it’s important to note some boat safety tips for smooth sailing.

1. Take a Boater Safety Course

Boating safety starts before you hit the waves. Improve your safety when operating a vessel by taking a state-approved boater safety course. These programs teach you the fundamental skills you need to operate a boat responsibly. Some states even require boaters to hold a boating education card in order to operate a boat. You can use a dashboard from the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) to check your state’s requirements.

Even if not required, a boater safety course is worthwhile. Data from the U.S. Coast Guard indicates that in 2024, 69% of deaths occurred on boats where the operator had no safety instruction.

2. Get a Free Boat Examination

The U.S Coast Guard Auxiliary offers free vessel exams to ensure your boat meets the federal and state safety requirements. Complete these free checks at your convenience to help prevent future safety issues with your boat.

The examination only takes about 30 minutes and is good until December 31 of the inspection year. Examiners will check for things like life jackets, registration, navigation lights, fire extinguishers, and distress signals.

If you don’t pass, there’s no immediate penalty. You receive a written report to help you correct any issues. If you pass, you receive a decal demonstrating your compliance with federal and state boating laws. You may also receive discounts on boating insurance.

3. Check for Hazardous Fumes

After refueling and before starting your engine, open any hatches on your boat and smell for fumes. If you detect any fumes, wait until they dissipate to start your boat. Hazardous fumes can also accumulate in blocked exhaust outlets or when your engine is idling, running at a slow speed, or stopped.

Also, be aware of carbon monoxide, a colorless and odorless gas produced by gasoline-powered engines and generators. You can install a carbon monoxide detector to increase safety.

4. Avoid Alcohol

Driving a boat under the influence is just as dangerous as driving a car after drinking. Avoid drinking alcohol and operating your boat at all costs to keep yourself and your family safe. Alcohol usage was the leading contributing factor in fatal boating accidents where the contributing factor was known. Twenty percent of boating accident deaths had alcohol as the primary cause in the U.S. in 2024.

Avoiding alcohol can also help prevent penalties or a driver’s license suspension. Many states suspend driver’s licenses for boating under the influence due to the similar dangers present.

5. Bring Life Jackets in the Proper Size

Life jackets are beneficial for more than keeping you afloat. Many life jacket designs help turn an unconscious person toward the surface or prevent hypothermia. All boats must have a Coast Guard-approved life jacket on board by law.

Beyond meeting legal requirements, life jackets save boaters. The U.S. Coast Guard notes that 87% of boaters were not wearing personal flotation devices when involved in fatal boating accidents in 2024.

Find the right life jacket for your height and weight, and try it on before buying. Once you select your life vest, put it on and fasten it as you would when wearing it on the boat. Your jacket should fit snugly but still allow you to move freely. If you feel constricted in your jacket, it is most likely too small.

After putting on your jacket, have a friend gently pull at the top of one of the arm openings. If there is excess room above the opening or the jacket rises over your chin or face, it is too big. Once you find the proper life jacket, test it in shallow water to ensure it is the best fit and will keep you safe.

6. Pack Safety Gear

A boat and its occupants may face various hazards while in the water, so be prepared for many possible situations. Here are some things you should have on board:

• Life jackets for everyone on board
• Throwable flotation aid
• Visual distress signals
• Sound-producing devices
• Emergency power cutoff device
• Floating flashlight
• Compass
• Paracord or rope
• First-aid kit
• Sunscreen
• Water
• Extra clothes

7. Create a Float Plan

Whether you want to tell a family member or an employee at your local marina, it’s crucial to let someone know where you’re going and how long you plan to be away. Your float plan can include information such as:

• Your name and the names of everyone on board
• A home address
• The phone numbers of everyone on board
• The type of boat and registration
• Your trip itinerary
• The communication equipment on board

8. Check the Weather Beforehand

While it may be sunny and warm when you start your day on the water, a single gray cloud can quickly turn into a fast-moving storm. If you notice gusts of wind or choppy water, these are signs of an approaching storm, and you should return to shore as soon as possible. If you are boating in the spring, be careful as the water may still be around winter temperatures.

In 2024, weather was the 8th most common primary contributing factor in boating incidents in the U.S., according to the USCG. It contributed to 188 incidents.

9. Purchase Boat Insurance

Boats are very similar to cars — you drive them, park them, and they can experience damage. Boat insurance is a great option to keep your vessel safe from the unexpected. XINSURANCE finds multiple coverage solutions under one policy to help boat owners get their ideal insurance solution. Beyond protecting your boat, coverage may also provide protection against third-party bodily injury or property damage incurred during the use of your boat.

Keep Your Boat Safe

Gain peace of mind in the water and on land with boat insurance. XINSURANCE offers a customized, all-in-one approach to boat insurance to locate the coverage solutions you need. Learn more about the insurance solutions we identify, and reach out to get a quote online.

Authored by Rick J. Lindsey, President, Chairman, and CEO of XINSURANCE

Rick J. Lindsey hails from Salt Lake City, Utah. He began working in the mailroom of his father’s Salt Lake City insurance firm, getting his introduction to the business that became his lifelong career. Rick J. Lindsey quickly rose through the ranks while working in nearly every imaginable insurance industry job. As an entrepreneur, specialty lines underwriter, claims specialist, risk manager, and a licensed surplus lines broker, Rick J. Lindsey is highly skilled in all levels of leadership and execution. As he progressed on his career path, Rick J. Lindsey discovered an urgent need for insurers willing to write policies for high-risk individuals and businesses. He was frequently frustrated that he could not provide the liability protection these entities desperately needed to safeguard their assets. He also formed the belief that insurance companies acted too quickly to settle frivolous claims. Rick J. Lindsey decided to try a different approach. He started an insurance company and became the newly formed entity’s CEO. This opportunity has enabled Rick J. Lindsey to fill a void in the market and provide a valuable service to businesses, individuals, and insurance agents who write high-risk business. XINSURANCE also specializes in helping individuals and businesses who live a lifestyle or participate in activities that make them difficult for traditional carriers to insure. If you’ve been denied, non-renewed, or canceled coverage, don’t give up quite yet. Chances are XINSURANCE can help.