The Pre-Departure Safety Briefing: What to Tell Every Passenger (with a Printable Checklist)

Say where you're going, roughly when you'll be back, and who ashore knows. The Coast Guard explains why a float plan matters: in an emergency, rescuers need details that are hard for a friend to remember, so write them down and leave them with a reliable person. The BoatUS Foundation adds that someone ashore who knows your plans can shorten a response time. Mention that the trip may change with the weather, and that the skipper decides.

Show where the life jackets are and fit one on each person:

• Federal law: every recreational boat needs a USCG-approved wearable life jacket for each person aboard, and the Coast Guard says children under 13 must wear one while the boat is underway (states may have their own age rules, and exceptions such as in an enclosed cabin). Adult jackets don't work on kids.
• Fit: a foam jacket should be snug and not ride up above the chin or ears when you lift it by the shoulders.
• Inflatables: show the pull tab, and check the cylinder is full and the indicators are green. The Coast Guard says otherwise it isn't serviceable and doesn't count toward your required jackets. Inflatables aren't for kids or weak swimmers unless the label says so.
• Wear it. The Coast Guard notes most boating drownings happen on nice days and recommends wearing a life jacket whenever underway. The BoatUS Foundation reports that 83% of people who drowned in recreational boating accidents in 2022 weren't wearing one. If you wear yours, guests usually follow.

Show the throwable (ring or cushion) and where it lives; it must be immediately available.

Point out the cut-off lanyard or wireless fob and explain what it does: if the operator is thrown out or falls, the engine stops. Federal law requires the operator of a boat under 26 feet with 3 hp or more and an installed cut-off switch to use it while on plane or above displacement speed, as the Coast Guard explains. Then teach at least one adult:

• How to bring the throttle to neutral and shut the engine off with the key or stop button
• That a spare lanyard or fob is in a known spot, so they can restart and come back for you

Our kill-switch guide covers testing and wireless systems.

The Coast Guard's propeller safety advice: no riding on the bow, gunwales, transom or seat backs, or anywhere someone could fall overboard. Tell guests:

• Stay seated while the boat is moving, especially when it speeds up, turns or crosses wakes
• Keep hands and feet inside the boat when docking; never fend off between the boat and the dock
• Move around only when the skipper says it's OK, with one hand on the boat, as the BoatUS Foundation advises
• Kids are watched at all times, by a named adult

Remind everyone of balance: spread out, and don't all crowd one side (our loading guide explains capacity and trim).

Explain why the swim platform is off-limits with motors running. The Coast Guard says CO can make you sick in seconds, and lists where it builds up, including at slow speed, idling or stopped, and even after the engine is off. Its rules:

• Know where engine and generator exhausts are and keep everyone away
• Never sit, teak surf or hang on the back deck or swim platform while engines are running
• Never enter the space under a swim platform where exhaust outlets are unless it's been ventilated
• Treat seasickness symptoms as possible CO poisoning: get the person to fresh air and seek medical help unless you're sure it's not CO

On boats with cabins, show the CO alarm and what its alarm sounds like. Our CO guide covers alarms and testing.

Show where each extinguisher is, take it out of its bracket, and point to the pin and nozzle. Explain the basic motion (pull the pin, aim at the base of the fire, squeeze, sweep) and that the first priority is everyone's safety; if a fire can't be put out quickly, put on life jackets and get away from it. Our fire-escape guide covers the plan.

Mention fueling rules: everyone off the boat or well away during fueling, no smoking, and on boats with enclosed engine compartments the skipper runs the blower before starting; the BoatUS Foundation says at least four minutes, before starting and after every refueling.

Show the radio, turn it on, and point to channel 16. Explain the Coast Guard's distress call steps (NAVCEN):

1. Channel 16, high power.
2. Press and hold the mic button: "Mayday, Mayday, Mayday."
3. "This is [boat name], [boat name], [boat name]," plus the call sign or registration number once.
4. Where you are: latitude and longitude (show where the GPS position is displayed), or distance and direction from a landmark.
5. What's wrong and what help you need.
6. How many people aboard and any injuries.
7. Describe the boat (length, color).
8. Release the button and listen. Stay by the radio.

If your radio has a red DSC distress button and is connected to GPS with an MMSI entered, show it: holding it sends an automatic distress alert with your position. Also note the cell phone backup (911) and where the PLB or EPIRB is if you carry one. Tape a card with the boat name and these steps next to the radio.

Explain the roles:

1. Shout "Man overboard!" and point, and keep pointing at the person the whole time. Assign one person to do only this.
2. Throw the throwable (or anything that floats) toward them right away.
3. The operator stops the boat. The Coast Guard says once clear, begin recovery, and never back up to pick someone up: circle around going forward, keeping the person in view.
4. Engine off (or in neutral) when you come alongside, near the person and away from the propeller.
5. If you can't get them aboard or lose sight of them, call Mayday on channel 16.

Show the boarding ladder and any recovery gear. Our MOB guide covers recovery devices and practice.

Tell guests to speak up early. The CDC says motion sickness usually builds gradually, from stomach awareness, warmth, yawning and sweating to nausea and vomiting, and that looking at the horizon, avoiding reading or screens, and avoiding the most-moving spots (on a ship, the bow) can help. Practical tips:

• Sit near the middle of the boat, facing forward, with fresh air
• Look at the horizon; put the phone away
• Anyone planning to take motion-sickness medicine should do so as directed on the label or by their doctor, before departure, and know it can cause drowsiness
• Someone being sick over the side should do it at the leeward side, wearing a life jacket, with someone holding onto them

And remember step 5: if symptoms appear near the stern or in a cabin, think CO first.

Show the first-aid kit and the sunscreen and water. Explain how the marine toilet works (if you have one) and what not to put in it. Ask privately about allergies, medications or conditions you should know about. Our first-aid guide covers what to carry.

• The BoatUS Foundation points out that alcohol is a leading factor in boating deaths; the operator stays sober, and passengers drink responsibly (sun and motion amplify alcohol)
• Swimming only when the skipper says, engines off, ladder down, and away from exhaust
• Where gear is stowed, what not to touch (throttle, switches), and where to sit when docking

Ask: "Where's your life jacket? Who's watching the kids? If I go overboard, what do you do first?" Hand someone the laminated checklist below and have them read off each item as you cover it.