Boating Safety - Essential Guide to Gear & Technologies

While boating is a passion to be embraced and enjoyed, there are risks. In 2017, the U.S. Coast Guard recorded 4,291 recreational boating accidents that resulted in 658 deaths, 2,629 injuries, and approximately $46 million dollars of property damage. Where the cause of death was known, 76 percent of fatal boating accident victims drowned and of those drowning victims where life jacket usage was known, 84.5 percent were not wearing a life jacket.

Additionally, where instruction status was known, 81 percent of deaths occurred on boats where the operator had not received boating safety instruction or training. In fact, only 14 percent of deaths occurred on vessels where the operator had received a nationally-approved boating safety education certificate.

Alcohol use, operator inattention, operator inexperience, improper lookout, machinery failure, and excessive speed ranked as the top contributing factors to accidents.

So, how can boating safety be increased for maximum enjoyment on the water? Proper boating safety education, boats equipped with proper safety equipment (some required by law, some simply smart) and safe behaviors like paying close attention and limiting alcohol consumption dramatically decrease the likelihood of tragedy.

Boating Safety Education

Many boating safety courses are offered throughout the country, for all types of recreational boaters and boaters of all ages, including children. Qualified volunteer organizations, such as the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, U.S. Power Squadron, and others sponsor numerous courses, and many state boating agencies also provide classes. National Association of State Boating Boating Law Administrators' online directory is a handy reference to find state boating agencies' information.

Vessel Safety Check

A Vessel Safety Check (VSC) is performed on your boat by the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. A vessel safety check usually takes 15 to 30 minutes, depending upon the size of your boat, and the benefits are peace of mind and receipt of a decal that informs all law enforcement agencies that your boat has been checked. Safety violations are not ticketed during vessel safety checks. Rather, boaters are directed to rectify the violation(s).

Boating Safety Equipment

A range of boating safety equipment is either required by law or recommended. We have assembled a helpful reference guide below and have indicated legal requirements where appropriate. However, in every case, check your state and local laws and regulations.

Life Jackets

While you must refer to the boating regulations within your state, minimum U.S. federal law requires a life jacket to be carried for each person on board. In states where no children's life jacket law is in place, a U.S. Coast Guard interim rule requires children under 13 on moving boats to wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket that fits. Personal flotation device (PDF) guidelines are provided by the U.S. Coast Guard:

• Type I PFDs/Offshore Life Jackets - Best for all waters including open ocean, rough seas, or remote water, where rescue may be slow.
• Type II PDFs/Near-Shore Buoyant Vests - For general boating activities and good for calm, inland waters, or where there is a good chance for fast rescue.
• Type III PFDs/Flotation Aids - For general boating or the specialized activity that is marked on the device such as water skiing, hunting, fishing, canoeing, kayaking, and others. Good for calm, inland waters, or where there is a good chance for fast rescue. These PDFs are designed to complement the given watersport.

PartsVu offers a wide range oflife jackets. See the links below for our most recommended or click here to view our complete selection.

-Type II Universal Adult Life Vest - 4 Pack with Storage Bag

-Youth Life Vests

-Child Life Vests

-Mustang Type III Inflatable PFD’s - Multiple Colors To Choose From

Click to view all life jackets and PFD's

First Aid Kits

Smart boating involves being prepared to address injuries or even medical emergencies out on the water. The type of first aid or medical kit needed depends on the type of boating being pursued. For example, near-shore boating in frequently traveled areas likely requires only a fairly basic first aid kit to treat minor cuts, insect stings, sunburns, and other similar injuries. However, offshore boating requires being prepared for true medical emergencies where help could be a few hours away and lives could be at stake.

PartsVu recommends the following medical kits:

-Orion Safety Products Daytripper First Aid Kit - Great for day trips

-Orion Safety Products Coastal First Aid Kit - Perfect for inshore and near-shore fisherman

-Orion Safety Products Bluewater First Aid Kit - Ideal for coastal cruisers & offshore fisherman

Check out PartsVu's full first aid kit selection

Engine Cut-off Switch Lanyard

Propellers are a boating danger that cannot be forgotten as a typical three-blade propeller running at 3,200 rpm can inflict 160 impacts in one second. To put this danger in another context, a typical recreational propeller can travel from head to toe on an average person in less than one-tenth of a second. The good news is, most propeller accidents can be avoided and an engine kill switch lanyard is an outstanding safety device to prevent propeller accidents.

PartsVu’s recommendation:

Universal Kill Switch Lanyard with 7 Key Types

Throwables

Throw rings, throw pads - required for boats over 16 ft.

Click to view PartsVu’s selection of Type IV Throwables & Rescue Throw Bags

Audio Distress Devices

Sound signals used on the water are like turn signal indicators used to signal intentions on the road. Sound signals are also like an automobile’s horn used to let other drivers know you are near or to alert them of danger. Sound signals are composed of short and prolonged blasts and must be audible for at least one-half mile:

Short blast—about one second in duration

Prolonged blast—4-6 seconds in duration

Common sound signals include:

-One short blast tells other boaters "I intend to pass you on my left (port) side."

-Two short blasts tell other boaters "I intend to pass you on my right (starboard) side."

-Three short blasts tell other boaters "I am backing up (operating astern propulsion)."

Restricted visibility includes:

-One prolonged blast at intervals of not more than two minutes is the signal used by power-driven vessels when making way.

-One prolonged blast plus two short blasts at intervals of not more than two minutes is the signal used by sailboats.

Common warning signals include:

-One prolonged blast is a warning signal (for example, used when coming around a blind bend or leaving a dock)

-Five (or more) short, rapid blasts signal danger or signal that you do not understand or that you believe the other boater is operating incorrectly.

Be heard loud and clear with this lineup of audible signaling devices:

-Safety Whistle w/Lanyard - 8 oz. Signal Horn & 8 oz. Signal Horn Refill

-Marinco Mini Compact Electric Horn - Single or Double

Check out PartsVu's wide selection of audio distress devices

Visual Distress Signals

Vessels operating on U.S. coastal waters, the Great Lakes, and territorial seas, as well as those waters connected directly, up to a point where the waterway is less than two nautical miles wide, must be equipped with U.S. Coast Guard-approved visual distress signals (VDS). Visual distress signals can either be pyrotechnic devices (orange smoke, parachute flares, handheld flares, etc.) or non-pyrotechnic devices (orange distress flags, signaling mirrors, light sticks, strobe lights). Appropriate signals for day, as opposed to night, should be used.

Be visible from miles away and in the foulest conditions with these visual distress signals from PartsVu:

-Orion Floating Lightsticks - Offering up to 44 hours of total light - 4-pack -Orion Distress Flag - USCG Approved - 3’ x 3’ - Orion Signaling Mirror - ACR Firefly Pro - SOLAS/USCG Approved LED Strobe Light - 56 Hour Battery Life

Fire Extinguisher

Fire, not water penetration, is often considered to be a boat’s worst enemy. Because of the potential distances traveled while boating, fire fighting services may be significantly delayed in providing assistance. For this reason alone, having fire extinguishers on board is always a good idea. While not required on outboard motorboats less than 26 ft in length if the construction of the motorboat is such that it does not permit the entrapment of explosive or flammable gases or vapors, and if fuel tanks are not permanently installed, PartsVu recommends playing it safe and being prepared. “B” fires or burning liquids are the most common fires to occur on a boat and therefore we suggest have a B-I and/or B-II classification fire extinguisher close by and ready for use. A class B fire extinguisher is required for all boats greater than 26 ft in length.

VHF Radio

VHF radios are still the primary means of communication on the water. Cell phones are a good backup but not always reliable especially the farther you travel from shore. VHF radio communication also facilitates communication with other boaters who may be in trouble. Rescuers like Vessel Assist, TowBoat U.S. and the Coast Guard monitor VHF transmissions, so it is easy to call for help in an emergency. Many boating authorities advise carrying both handhelds and fixed mount VHFs, which are equally valuable onboard for their own unique sets of benefits.

PartsVu offers handheld and fixed mount VHF radios from the most popular and reliable manufacturers. See below for our most popular or click here to browse our complete selection.

-ICOM M25 Floating VHF - 5W -ICOM M36 Floating VHF - 6W -Uniden UM385 Fixed Mount VHF -VHF Antennas

View PartsVu's wide selection of VHF radios and accessories

GPS Navigation Device

Global positioning system (GPS) technology has changed the way boaters navigate and has offered many benefits that enhance the ease and enjoyment of fishing and boating and can greatly increase safety. GPS provides the fastest and most accurate method for boaters to navigate, measure speed, and determine location. It is important in marine navigation for the boat’s operator to know the vessel's position and also in congested harbors and inshore areas.

In addition to navigation, GPS technology tools help boaters mark their favorite fishing and beach spots and find the best routes for new destinations. Most importantly of all, GPS technology has facilitated man overboard and other rescue applications. Personal locator beacons (PLB) and automatic identification systems (AIS) utilize GPS within their systems to help rescuers better pinpoint precise rescue locations.

The following are some of PartVu’s most popular marine GPS products. See below or click here to browse additional models.

-Humminbird HELIX 5 G2 Chirp SI GPS Combo - Lowrance HOOK²-7x 7" GPS TripleShot Fishfinder w/Track Plotter

View all GPS Navigation Devices

Compass

Carrying a compass may seem a little antiquated with all of the modern GPS technologies available to boaters. However, this could not be farther from the truth. Although we may not use our compasses nearly as much as we used to, electronic devices are vulnerable to failure. Traditional compasses provide an important navigational backup that every boater needs.

Stay on course with these compass selections from PartsVu.

-Ritchie B-51 Explorer Compass - Bracket Mount - Black or White - Ritchie S-53 Explorer Compass - Surface Mount - Black or White - Ritchie Dash Mount Compass - Davis Instrument Hand Bearing Compass - Illuminated

Shop all compasses

Searchlight

Searchlights are a must-have safety tool for nighttime boating and navigation. Searchlights allow boaters to see channel markets, spot obstacles in tricky areas and are life-saving in man overboard situations.

PartsVu recommends:

-Attwood Handheld 12V LED Spotlight - 400 Lumens

-Jabsco 135SL Remote Control Searchlight

Check out all searchlights

Navigation Lights

Recreational boats operating at night are required to display navigation lights between sunset and sunrise. Always check current Inland Navigation Rules and U.S. Coast Guard regulations to make sure you are following the current law.

Overview of regulations:

• Sidelights are red (port) and green (starboard) and shine from dead ahead to 112.5° aft on either side.
• Stern lights are white and shine aft and 67.5° forward on each side.
• All-round lights are white and shine through 360°.
• Masthead lights are white and shine from 112.5° on the port side through dead ahead to 112.5° on the starboard side. They must be above the sidelights.
• Sidelights may be combined into a single "bicolor" light.
• Powerboats less than 20m (65.7') in length need to show sidelights, stern light, and a masthead light. Power vessels less than 12m may show a single all-round light in lieu of the separate masthead and stern lights.

View PartsVu's section of navigation lights

Anchors

In addition to allowing boaters to temporarily secure their boat's position to fish, eat lunch or relax, anchors are important

safety equipment by keeping the boat out of the surf or off the rocks.

View PartsVu's wide selection of anchors & docking products

Anchor Lights

There are specific laws and safety guidelines when anchoring at night. An anchor light must be a 360-degree white all-around masthead light with two-mile visibility. However, always double-check current U.S. Coast Guard rules and regulations. Displaying a legal anchor light when anchored at night isn’t just a formality, it is a critical safety measure. Even if a boat is in a designated anchorage area, other boats may be traveling in that area, so you need to be visible to avoid potentially serious accidents.

View PartsVu's selection of anchor lights