What’s New!

California Safety Requirements for Boaters

Federal As a boat operator, you are expected to make sure that your vessel carries the required safety equipment and is in compliance with federal regulations for such things as numbering and operation. State and local laws may dictate carrying additional equipment. California  In order to ensure that your time on the water is safe, it is important for you to know and follow the regulations and guidelines found here in this booklet from the California Read more…

By Safeboating.US Administrator, ago

THE U.S. COAST GUARD MOBILE APP

The USCG Boating Safety App features include: •Find the latest safety regulations•Request a vessel safety check•Check your safety equipment•File a float plan•Navigation Rules•Find the nearest NOAA buoy•Report a hazard•Report pollution•Report suspicious activity•Request emergency assistance    As the nation’s recreational boating safety coordinator, the Coast Guard works to minimize loss of life, personal injury, property damage, and environmental harm. Our boating safety program involves public education programs, regulation of boat design and construction, approval of boating Read more…

By Safeboating.US Administrator, ago

New Law: Engine Cut-off Switches

As of April 1, 2021, operators of recreational vessels less than 26 feet long will be required to use an engine cut-off switch (ECOS) and associated ECOS link (ECOSL), according to the U.S. Coast Guard. The ECOS and ECOSL devices prevent runaway vessels and the threats they pose. The ECOSL attaches the vessel operator to a switch that shuts off the engine if the operator is displaced from the helm. The ECOSL is a lanyard-style cord Read more…

By Safeboating.US Administrator, ago

May Day ! May Day! May Day!

Mayday! Mayday! Mayday!…Sending a distress call. Procedure for VHF Channel 16 MAYDAY: If you have a VHF marine radio, tune it to channel 16. Unless you know you are outside VHF range of shore and ships, call on channel 16 first. Distress signal “MAYDAY”, spoken three times. The words “THIS IS”, spoken once. Name of vessel in distress (spoken three times) and call sign or boat registration number, spoken once. Repeat “MAYDAY” and name of Read more…

By Safeboating.US Administrator, ago

I Want a Vessel Safety Check!

Request your FREE Vessel Safety Check here. Both the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and the United States Power Squadrons have certified vessel examiners who will perform a free Vessel Safety Check (“VSC”) at your boat, at a time of mutual convenience. There is no charge, and no consequences if you don’t pass. Our goal is simply to help make boating as safe as possible for you, your family and your friends, through education. Personal pleasure Read more…

By Safeboating.US Administrator, ago
NOTICE/DISCLAIMER: Links to non-Coast Guard entities are not under control of the U.S. Coast Guard or the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and are provided for the convenience of our members and visitors. They do not, in any way, constitute an endorsement of the linked pages or any commercial or private issues or products presented there. We can make no warranty or representation concerning the content of these sites, or secondary sites from the pages to which they link.