Contributor Blogs, Podcasts & Editorial

How to Rescue an Overboard Boater

What you should do when a crewmember falls overboard. By Boating Magazine My sister brought her boyfriend, my future brother-in-law it turned out, with her on my boat for a day of tubing and adventure. Though I had the best of intentions, when it was his turn on the tube, I might have spun the wheel […]

Launch a Rental Boat, While on Vacation – Sea Tow Foundation

For most boaters, it wouldn’t be a true vacation without spending some time on the water. Fortunately, taking the helm of a rental boat or being part of a boat club is an easy and often an affordable option for you and your family.

NSBC BoatBeat Blog: Alcohol and Boating Don’t Mix

Drunken passengers can easily fall overboard, swim near the propeller, lean over the side, or stand up in small vessels, causing vessels to capsize. Sun, wind, boat and wave action intensify the effects of alcohol.

NSBC BoatBeat Blog: Carriage of Fire Extinguishers

All extinguishers must be Coast Guard approved marine type extinguishers, and have a UL rating of 5-B or higher, which can be found on their label.

NSBC BoatBeat Blog: The Rules of the Road

The Navigation Rules are much like the rules of the road on the highway. They establish a consistent way to navigate safely and avoid collisions when two boats are crossing paths, are on course to meet head-on, or when one boat wishes to overtake another.

NSBC BoatBeat Blog: Carbon Monoxide

Exposure to carbon monoxide (CO) in large amounts or even small amounts for a long duration often results in death. CO is an odorless, colorless and tasteless gas in the exhaust produced in gasoline engines.

NSBC BoatBeat Blog: Search and Rescue Process

If a boater is in distress, they should contact search and rescue assets via VHF-DSC marine band radio, or with an EPIRB or PLB. It is the boater’s responsibility to contact search and rescue assets.

NSBC BoatBeat Blog: EPIRB and PLB

An Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon, or EPIRB, is used to alert Search and Rescue forces in the event of an emergency.

NSBC BoatBeat Blog: Emergency Engine/Propulsion Cut-Off Devices FAQ

Emergency engine/propulsion cut-off devices, sometimes referred to as an engine cut-off switch or kill switch, are a time-proven safety device used to stop the boats engines should the driver unexpectedly fall overboard.

NSBC BoatBeat Blog: VHF Radio with Digital Selective Calling (DSC)

The VHF radio with DSC is the most common emergency marine communications device, and with good reason: It’s simple to operate, communications go both ways, and when a boater hits the panic button, the U.S. Coast Guard will automatically know who the boater is.

NSBC BoatBeat Blog: Boating Emergency Preparedness

A boating emergency can happen anytime, anywhere — and does not only refer to a problem with the vessel, but also to any dangerous situation involving a passenger.

NSBC BoatBeat Blog: Boating Preparedness Recommendations

At a minimum, a boater should make sure that safety and other related equipment are on their vessel and in good working condition before each outing.

Illustration showing a yellow life jacket, a blue inflatable life vest, a blue belt-style flotation device, and two circles: one showing a child being fitted with a life jacket, and one showing a crossed-out inflatable vest.

Choosing the Right Life Jacket

No matter what the activity or style chosen, the most important thing is this: Remember to be responsible and always wear your life jacket while boating.

Life Jacket Facts

Most boaters know they’re required to have a U.S. Coast Guard-approved wearable life jacket on board for every person on their boat. Boating safety advocates recommend that all boaters and passengers not only have a life jacket, but wear it at all times while boating.