Pre-launch safety basics

Despite the many things that can go wrong on the water, many boaters cast off without attending to some pre-launch safety basics.

Safety briefing

Although it takes little time, a verbal safety briefing is especially important when you have guests aboard. During a safety briefing, the skipper provides vessel safety information to everyone before departure.

Even if you don’t have guests aboard, it’s a good idea to give your vessel’s safety checklist a quick mental review.

Each vessel is unique, so you’ll need to customize a safety checklist for the needs of your vessel. If you don’t already have a safety checklist, now is a great time to develop one.

Basic safety checklist

When I have guests aboard, I use the following basic safety checklist to review safety plans and procedures and show the location and use of safety equipment:

Ensure everyone is wearing a life jacket.
Review basic sailing plan (destination, time estimate, etc.).
Review weather forecast.
Review man-overboard procedure and duties.
Review use of throw rope and life jackets.
Review use of VHF radio, including emergency protocol.
Show location and review use of fire extinguishers.
Review use of engine compartment emergency fire control port.
Show location and proper use of handle for manual bilge pump.
Show location and demonstrate use of emergency tiller.
Verify that someone aboard can start the engine and maneuver the vessel if the skipper is incapacitated.
Show location of flares and signaling devices.
Show location of sound-warning devices.
Show location of first-aid kits.