Boating Safety Tips
Posted on July 29, 2025
Summer in South Mississippi is brutal and one of the best places to beat the heat is aboard a boat. These vessels can, however, be dangerous.
On May 28, 2024, the United States Coast Guard released a press release detailing boating accident statistic for 2023. According to that release, that year there were 3,844 boating accidents resulting in 564 fatalities, with drowning accounting for 75 percent of those deaths.
Here are some tips for how to stay safe while boating this summer:
- Tip 1: Have a Float Plan. It is a good idea to always share the important details of your boating excursion with someone who will remain on shore. Include details such as, names of people aboard, where you are going and the time you expect to return. Taking this extra step ensures that someone knows when to come looking for you.
- Tip 2: Be weather aware. Do not forget to check the weather before you depart and while you are out on the water. Pay attention to any sudden or unpredictable weather changes. Do not risk being stuck on the water during a storm.
- Tip 3: Overpack the essentials. Always pack more than enough food and water for everyone on the boat for at least double the planned amount of time for the excursion. In the event of a delay, you do not want to run out of provisions. Plan accordingly. It is never a bad idea to carry extra things such as a first aid kit, communication device, boat repair tools, or life-saving medicines such as an epi-pen for allergies or glucose tablets for diabetes.
- Tip 4: Bring required paperwork and safety gear. Make sure you have all the required and suggested safety equipment on board. According to the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources any vessel on Mississippi waterways must have all necessary paperwork, a sound device, fire extinguisher, visual distress signals, backfire flame arrestor, ventilation system, a muffler and enough personal flotation devices for everyone aboard the vessel. Lifejackets have been proven to be lifesaving. Make sure they are worn by everyone.
- Tip 5: Beware of the heat. Remember that the risk of sunburn is higher when on the water. Be sure to check the UV-index and then dress accordingly and pack plenty of sunscreen. When boating in the heat, it is also wise to know what to do in the event of a heat-related illness.
- Tip 6: Follow the rules of the waterway. Make sure that you are exercising caution and following all signage while on the water, paying close attention to no wake zones, speed limits, proximity to other boats and the depth of the water. Choosing not to follow the rules is an easy way to receive a ticket or endanger yourself and others.
- Tip 7: Limit distractions while captaining the boat. A boat driver should limit all distractions, including using a cell phone, while operating a boat. The riskiest distraction, however, is alcohol or drugs. In the same way that a person cannot operate a vehicle while under the influence of drugs, alcohol or an intoxicating substance, they also cannot operate a boat. To learn more about the laws and regulations against impaired boating, review The Alcohol Boating Safety Act.
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