SESKStuff Everyone Should Know
SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/boat-float-plan-who

Before a boat trip, who should you give your float plan to?

A trusted person on land, who can call for help if you are overdue.

  1. A trusted friend or family member on land ✔
  2. A passenger riding on your boat
  3. Nobody, if the trip is short

Why: A float plan only works if someone ashore notices you are late and calls for help. A passenger would be stuck in the same trouble you are. Leave it with a reliable person on land.

Huh, didn't know that: The Coast Guard says it is a best practice to include a photo of your boat with your float plan.

The dad joke
My float plan is so detailed, my mom calls it my boat-iography.
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Sources

  1. USCG, A Boater's Guide to the Federal Requirements for Recreational Boats (2023) https://www.uscgboating.org/assets/1/AssetManager/Boaters-Guide-to-Federal-Requirements-for-Receational-Boats-20231108.pdf
  2. NASBLA ESP TR 103-2022, Technical Report: Basic Boating Knowledge Core + Plus Power https://higherlogicdownload.s3.amazonaws.com/NASBLA/76594a34-f3a1-4916-95ac-1e9c872170cc/UploadedImages/education/national-education-standards/ESP_TR_ESP_103_Core_Plus_Power_2022_06_01FINAL.pdf

Test yourself in the game

Boating & WaterWhat tool helps make sure your boat is in good working order and properly equipped before you leave?Boating & WaterWhy should a boat operator give passengers a safety briefing before getting underway?Boating & WaterWhich situation is a good reason to cancel a boat trip before leaving the dock?

That's stuff everyone should know.