By John Burns

Every boat owner should have a written checklist prepared in advance to provide to anyone (including your children) using your boat.   This checklist should address all critical areas and include detailed operating instructions specifically tailored to your boat.  Review it with anyone before they operate your boat.  Below is a generic/partial guide to get you started in creating your Boat Operating Checklist:

• Proof of Registration and insurance (secured and water proof).
• Florida Boating Safety Education ID Card or Certificate (required for anyone born after 1987 – highly recommended for everyone).
• Check of the tides.
• Navigation chart of area boating – review the chart and carefully plan your route (consider tides)
• Float plan provided to reliable persons not going with you.
• Breakdown plan:  (it can cost over $600 dollars for any water tow – you should consider buying the very reasonably priced yearly insurance from one of the providers in your area such as SeaTow or TowBoatUS.   Review towing and being towed concerns/liabilities.
• Trailer safety – boat secured to trailer front AND BACK.   No loose lines.  Ensure nothing left un-secured in the boat – anything flying out at 70 mph (hurricane equivalent winds) can cause deadly accidents.  Trailer securing (lock/keys) towing and lights connecting/testing.)
• Inspect the boat hull integrity/damage/leaks/fuel accumulation in bilge?
• Safety equipment inspection:  life jacket for each person, throw flotation pillow, audio and visual signaling equipment, two forms of emergency communications, fire extinguisher, first aid kit, duct tape, flashlights, spare boat plug/s, Enough drinking Water for all, tool kit.
• Safety glasses or at least sunglasses for everyone on board (same reason required on motorcycles and highly recommended on bicycles) – especially when fishing.
• Proper clothing to provide adequate protection from sun, heat, rain, and cold.
• If at all possible that the boat could be operating in low light conditions, test navigation lights and install/test Anchor light (if detachable).
• Bilge pump op test.  Demonstrate/confirm backup form/s of Bailing capability.
• Battery:  confirm battery connections aren’t corroded.  Trickle charged?  Check battery voltage (load test recommended).  Spare battery?
• Prop check (locked on) and undamaged. Spare prop & pin?  Ladder and mask/snorkel?
• Fuel level check. Spare/emergency fuel in approved container? Check fuel priming bulb.
• Drain fuel/water separator if installed.   Ensure that no fuel or oil is ever spilled into our waters.
• Portable toilet or bucket/plastic bags or enough empty bottles with wide openings and lids.
• Trash bags – bring plenty.  Mandate that No pollution of any form goes into our waters.
• Zip lock bags (plenty) to the designated dry well to keep all cameras, phones, wallets, etc. dry.
• Top off motor oil.  Spare oil in new/unopened container stowed aboard.
• Anchor prepared/secured to deploy readily.  Spare anchor highly recommended.
• Bow and stern lines for either side.  Adequate spare line.
• Before leave home, conduct a Motor test start – ensure adequate cooling water flow.
• Boat keys (always keep in the same place).  Spare boat keys?  Floats attached to the keys?
• Before heading off from the dock, go through the emergency motor starting procedure and all other emergency procedures (anchoring, man overboard, fire extinguishing, bailing) with all passengers.  Ensure all passengers have a seat designated for whenever the boat is moving. Designate safety spotter/s other than the driver to look for dangers in the water (logs, buoys, swimmers, divers, sea life, etc.) and for other boats approaching in all directions.