Important Boat Safety Considerations

• Make sure all safety equipment is onboard (life jackets, flares, first aid kit,
  lights if out after sunset). 
• Wear your life jacket at all times.
• Have you been checked out for the boat you are using? (If not, contact the
  BSO, David Duggins, Pema Kitaeff, or Craig Staude.)
• Is there an anchor onboard? If the engine quits and you are close to shore,
  deploy the anchor. All anchors should have floats attached to the end
  of the line. If you cannot retrieve your anchor, just throw the line and
  float overboard and we’ll retrieve it later. Always anchor by the bow
  (front) of the boat, NOT the stern.
• Give way to all other boats in close passing situations. Do not assume
  others know (or care about) the Rules of the Road.
• GO SLOW. Give the boat enough throttle to keep it “on plane” but no
  more. This will save gas and be a safer, more comfortable ride than
  running wide-open throttle.
• Look ahead. Avoid patches of kelp, debris, and logs. When encountering a
  large boat wake: warn passengers, slow down, and approach nearly
  perpendicular to the wave front.
• If unfamiliar with the area you’re in, USE THE CHART included in the
  boat’s emergency bag to check for submerged rocks, reefs, and shoals.
• If you aren’t sure how to read a chart, check with the BSO or a Marine
  Tech before your trip.
• Look astern occasionally to check for:
  - a strong flow of cooling water from outboard motor (if cooling
  stream halts, STOP motor immediately).
  - a ferry or another fast boat overtaking you. As the overtaken boat,
  you should maintain course and speed but prepare to be tossed by a
  wake.
• Carry a cell phone and emergency phone numbers