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Boating Safety Checklist
Gear, boat and crew checks to run before you leave the dock, with the sizes and dates that matter.
A real, editable checklist below — tick, tap a line to rewrite, drag to reorder.
Tick the circles, tap any line to change it, drag the dots to reorder.
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Dates are easy to miss. Flares expire after 42 months, and a fire extinguisher with its gauge in the red needs replacing; both points come from Accudock's guide. Life jackets belong within reach, not in a locked compartment or under heavy gear. The rest of the list covers the boat's systems, the weather, communication and the people aboard. It is a pre-departure check for a small recreational boat. It is not legal advice, and equipment rules vary by boat size and state, so check local laws.
Why these items are on the list
- Check the marine forecast. Check the local marine forecast, not just a general weather app, and look for wind or storm warnings.
- One life jacket per person. Coast Guard-approved, and sized for the person wearing it, children included.
- Test life jacket fit. Pull up on the shoulders; if it moves above your chin, nose or ears, it is too loose.
- Children in life jackets, moving boat. Accudock says most states require under-13s to wear one on a moving boat; check local laws.
- Keep life jackets within reach. Never in a locked compartment or under heavy gear.
- Inspect flotation gear for damage. Look for cracks, wear, mold or waterlogging. Replace torn jackets and broken straps.
- Throwable flotation device. A Type IV device, such as a ring or cushion. Accudock says boats over 16 feet must carry one.
- Fire extinguisher, gauge and date. Check the gauge before each trip; replace it if it is in the red or expired.
- Visual distress signals, dates. Accudock says flares expire after 42 months. Ask local authorities how to dispose of old ones.
- Horn or whistle. Carefree's list includes a sound-producing device.
- Navigation lights tested. Needed in low light, so test them at the dock.
- Stocked first aid kit. Keep it stocked and easy to reach.
- Flashlight with working batteries. Check the batteries before you leave, not after dark.
- Kill switch and lanyard. Test the switch and make sure the lanyard is not frayed.
- Engine oil and fluid levels. Check both levels before leaving the dock.
- Battery connection and charge. Inspect the connection as well as the charge.
- Bilge pump test. Run it rather than assuming it works.
- Fuel for the trip plus reserve. Confirm there is enough for the full trip and a reserve.
- Belts, hoses and propeller. Look for cracks, wear or visible damage.
- Charged phone, waterproof case. Keep the phone dry and fully charged.
- GPS or navigation working. Power it on and confirm it picks up a signal.
- VHF radio check. CLiX suggests a non-emergency VHF channel, such as 09, to confirm it sends and receives clearly.
- File a float plan. Tell someone ashore where you are going and when you expect to be back.
- Count passengers against capacity. Do not load beyond the boat's rated passenger capacity.
- Brief passengers on gear locations. Everyone aboard should know where the safety equipment is.
- Name a backup operator. A second person who knows basic boat operation, in case of an emergency.
- Registration and license aboard. Verify registration and any boating license or safety certificate are on board and current.
- Local rules and advisories. Review no-wake zones, speed limits, low water levels and temporary restrictions.
Work through it at the dock, ticking on your phone while a second person reads each item aloud.
When to use it
Run through it at the dock before every outing.