Tag: boating safety

navigation marker at sunset in Penobscot Bay Maine

Coast Guard Halts Buoy Removal Plan Following Public Outcry

10/29/2025 - Update: Coast Guard Halts Buoy Removal Plan Following Public Outcry On October 21, 2025, the U.S. Coast Guard’s Northeast District announced that it is suspending all changes related to the Coastal Buoy Modernization Proposal (CBMP). This decision follows months of widespread concern, thousands of public comments, and growing media attention—including… SEE MORE

America’s Boating Club, United States Power Squadrons Offers Free on-the-water Training To Members

6/28/2024 - By Raleigh, N.C. Recently Released Recreational Boating Statistics Reveal Boating Education Is Vital To Preventing Accidents. America’s Boating Club, United States Power Squadrons, the nation’s largest and oldest volunteer recreational boating safety nonprofit, announced today that as revealed in the recently released U.S. Coast Guard’s Recreational Boating Statistics, 75% of on-the-water… SEE MORE

Powerboat on ocean. Image from Lipcon, Margulies & Winkleman, P.A.

10 Legal Essentials Every Recreational Boater Should Know

6/5/2024 - By Lipcon, Margulies & Winkleman, P.A. Embarking on a boating adventure is thrilling, but ensuring safety and legal compliance is crucial for an enjoyable experience. Here are some essential rules to remember to help you stay safe and within the law while on the water. When navigating the waters as… SEE MORE

Emergency Cut-Off Switch Link Requirements and Options

5/29/2024 - By boatingsafetymag.com. Whether you choose to use the hardwired switch installed by your manufacturer, or a wireless fob, always use your ECOS. For decades boat manufacturers have equipped boats with an emergency cut-off switch. The emergency cut-off switch lanyard, or ECOS-L, connects the engine ignition system to a life vest… SEE MORE

Kerry Raymond, CC BY 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

Boating Safety 101: Dressing For Colder Weather

8/28/2022 - By Ohiodnr.gov. Everyone has stood in front of the closet at one time or another and exclaimed, "I don't know what I should wear today!" Usually, the worst outcome is a good scolding from the fashion police. But when preparing for a day of boating, not making the correct choice… SEE MORE

qwesy qwesy, CC BY 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

The Most Challenging Waterway on the East Coast

8/27/2022 - By Capt. Bill Kinney, Special to Waterway Guide Many different bodies of water could be in the running for this dubious prize, and I am sure no matter which ones were nominated the arguments could continue for days. My vote is for the New River in Fort Lauderdale, FL that… SEE MORE

https://www.boatsafe.com/international-code-signaling-flags/

Decoding International Signal Flags

8/13/2022 - By Boat Safe. Although you may never see them displayed except at fleet parades, around naval installations, and areas with heavy international shipping traffic, International code flags are used to signal between two ships or between ship and shore. Also called signaling flags, they are a set of ship flags… SEE MORE

Unknown authorUnknown author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

What To Do If Pulled Over by the Coast Guard

8/10/2022 - By Joseph Carro. Our mission at the U.S. Coast Guard is to save lives, so the sight of flashing blue lights and a U.S. Coast Guard patrol vessel pulling alongside is no reason for boat owners to panic. The Coast Guard conducts approximately 70,000 boardings a year in its multiple… SEE MORE

Dimitris Vetsikas, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Boating Safety 101: How to Recognize Heat Stroke

8/3/2022 - By Ace Boater. Heat stroke is also known as sunstroke. Heat stroke is a life-threatening emergency which requires immediate attention. It occurs mostly in the very young, or the elderly with health problems. Working or exercising in hot weather or hot conditions without drinking the necessary amounts of fluids is the… SEE MORE

Roy Luck, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Boating 101: What to Do if You Run Aground

7/28/2022 - By BoatUS Many groundings happen on soft bottoms, so often you can get off without help — if you move quickly and employ the right tactics. A moment's inattention and you find yourself straying from the channel, firmly stuck in the mud. Now what? First things first: Don't Waste Time… SEE MORE