SESKStuff Everyone Should Know
SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/boat-pre-departure-checklist

What tool helps make sure your boat is in good working order and properly equipped before you leave?

A pre-departure checklist, run every single trip.

  1. A float plan
  2. A pre-departure checklist ✔
  3. A boating accident report

Why: A float plan tells people where you are going. A pre-departure checklist checks the boat itself: equipment, engine, lights and safety gear. A few minutes each trip catches forgotten items.

Huh, didn't know that: The Coast Guard's own example of a critical thing people forget: putting in the drain plugs.

The dad joke
Why did the checklist go to the boat ramp? It wanted to make sure everything was in order.
Like this card?
Play the game

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 & WaterBefore a boat trip, who should you give your float plan to?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.