Whether you're the captain of a schooner or a passenger on a ski boat, following safety guidelines ensures your safety and that of other seafarers. 

• Be weather wise: Sudden wind shifts, lightning flashes and choppy water all can mean a storm is brewing. Bring a portable radio to check weather reports.
• Bring extra gear you may need, and protect your gear in a watertight pouch or a container that floats. Gear should include:
• A flashlight
• Extra batteries
• Matches
• A map of your location
• Flares
• Sunscreen
• First aid kit
• Extra sunglasses.
• Check your boat, equipment, boat balance, engine and fuel supply before leaving.
• Don't drink when boating. Alcohol impairs your judgment, balance and coordination. More than 50 percent of drownings result from boating incidents involving alcohol. For the same reasons it is dangerous to operate an automobile while under the influence of alcohol, you should not operate a boat while drinking alcohol.
• Look for the label: Use Coast Guard-approved life jackets for yourself and your passengers when boating and fishing.
• Develop a float plan. Any time you go out in a boat, give a responsible person details about where you will be and how long you will be gone. If the boat is delayed because of an emergency, becomes lost, or encounters other problems, you want help to be able to reach you.
• Find a boating course in your area (Red Cross, U.S. Power Squadron, the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, US Sailing, etc). These courses teach about navigation rules, emergency procedures and the effects of wind, water conditions and weather.
• Watch the weather: Know local weather conditions and prepare for electrical storms. Watch local news programs. Stop boating as soon as you see or hear a storm.

• Learn to swim. The best thing anyone can do to stay safe in and around the water is to learn to swim. This includes anyone participating in any water sport or boating activity.
• Know your local laws and regulations. Some states have special laws governing the use of personal water craft (PWC) which address operations, registration and licensing requirements, education, required safety equipment and minimum ages.
• Operate your PWC with courtesy and common sense. Follow the traffic pattern of the waterway. Obey no-wake and speed zones.
• Use extreme caution around swimmers and surfers. Run your PWC at a slow speed until the craft is away from shore, swimming areas and docks. Avoid passing close to other boats and jumping wakes. This behavior is dangerous and often illegal.
• Make sure Coast Guard-approved life jackets are worn by the PWC's operator and any riders.
• Ride with a buddy. PWCs should always travel in groups of two or three. You never know when an emergency might occur.
• Don"t use alcohol when operating a PWC. Alcohol impairs your judgment, balance and coordination. For the same reasons it is dangerous to operate an automobile, you should not operate a PWC while drinking alcohol.

• Always wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket.
• Wear a wet suit in cold water to prevent hypothermia.
• Take a swim course. You need good physical strength and swimming ability.
• Take windsurfing lessons from a qualified instructor.
• Know local weather conditions. Make sure the water and weather conditions are safe. Because water conducts electricity, stop swimming, boating or other activities on the water as soon as you see or hear a storm. Also, heavy rains can make certain areas dangerous.

• Receive instructions/take lessons from qualified divers before participating.
• Get a medical examination and take a swim test before learning SCUBA diving.
• Don't dive in rough or dangerous waters or in environments for which you are not trained, even after you are certified. Ice diving, cave diving and shipwreck diving require special training. One can easily get lost or trapped and run out of air.
• Never dive by yourself.
• Learn to swim. The best thing anyone can do to stay safe in and around the water is to learn to swim.
• Know local weather conditions. Make sure the water and weather conditions are safe. Because water conducts electricity, stop swimming, boating or other activities on the water as soon as you see or hear a storm. Also, heavy rains can make certain areas dangerous.

• Practice in shallow water.
• Check the equipment carefully and know how it functions.
• Learn how to clear water from the snorkel.
• Learn how to put your mask back on when you tread water.
• Be careful not to swim or be carried by a current too far from shore or the boat.
• Never snorkel alone.
• Learn to swim. The best thing anyone can do to stay safe in and around the water is to learn to swim. This includes anyone participating in any water sport.
• Know local weather conditions. Make sure the water and weather conditions are safe. Because water conducts electricity, stop swimming, boating or other activities on the water as soon as you see or hear a storm. Also, heavy rains can make certain areas dangerous.

• Take lessons from an experienced individual.
• Wear a wet suit when in cold water.
• Never surf alone.
• Learn to swim. The best thing anyone can do to stay safe in and around the water is to learn to swim. This includes anyone participating in any water sport.
• Know local weather conditions. Make sure the water and weather conditions are safe. Because water conducts electricity, stop swimming, boating or other activities on the water as soon as you see or hear a storm. Also, heavy rains can make certain areas dangerous.

• Always wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket.
• Don't overload the raft.
• Don"t go rafting after a heavy rain.
• Make sure the guides are qualified when rafting with a tour company. Check with the local chamber of commerce for listings of accredited tour guides and companies.
• Learn to swim. The best thing anyone can do to stay safe in and around the water is to learn to swim. This includes anyone participating in any water sport.
• Know local weather conditions. Make sure the water and weather conditions are safe. Because water conducts electricity, stop swimming, boating or other activities on the water as soon as you see or hear a storm. Also, heavy rains can make certain areas dangerous.

• Wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket.
• Be sure the boat and ski equipment are in good shape.
• Always turn the boat motor completely off when you approach a fallen skier.
• Watch the water ahead of you at all times.
• Have an extra person aboard to watch and assist the skier.
• Run parallel to shore and come in slowly when landing. Sit down if coming in too fast.
• Use proper hand signals to signal boat operator.
• Do not ski at night or in restricted areas.
• Learn to swim. The best thing anyone can do to stay safe in and around the water is to learn to swim. This includes anyone participating in any water sport.
• Know local weather conditions. Make sure the water and weather conditions are safe. Because water conducts electricity, stop swimming, boating or other activities on the water as soon as you see or hear a storm. Also, heavy rains can make certain areas dangerous.