Boating and Swimming Safety Tips

Watercraft Registration

• Watercraft registration must be current and on board
• Where required by law, ensure that the operator has a State of Michigan Boater Safety Certificate on board
• Properly display MC numbers and current validation decal (for example, both sides of the hull, forward half of vessel, above waterline, 3-inch block letters and numbers of contrasting colors to the watercraft’s hull)

Trailers

• Safety chains must be used when towing
• Trailers must be equipped with working brake lights and taillights
• Make sure tires are in good condition with proper pressure
• Maintain wheel bearings
• Ensure that the trailer hitch size matches the towing ball size

Ventilation and Fuel

• Check for fuel smells
• Check the bilge for gas or oil
• Correct all flammable liquid problems before starting your engine or operating electrical devices
• Run your ventilation blower before initially starting the engine
• Before fueling, close all compartments
• After fueling is completed, open all compartments to ventilate and run the blower for at least 4 minutes to purge all trapped fumes
• Be sure to have enough fuel to provide a reasonable margin for safe return
• Check the oil to make sure it is at the proper level

Fire Extinguishers 

• Required when carrying flammable liquids or fuel on board
• Must be fully charged
• Check the gauge or use the small test button to check the pressure
• Must be a type “B” fire extinguisher (for flammable liquids)
• Must be U.S. Coast Guard-approved for marine use
• For vessels less than 26 feet, one size No. 1, extinguisher is required
• Required for vessels 26 feet to less than 40 feet:
  • Two size No. 1 extinguishers OR
  • One size No. 2 extinguisher
• Required for vessels 40 feet to less than 65 feet:
  • Three size No. 1 extinguishers OR
  • One size No. 1 and one size No. 2 extinguishers, are required

Sound Producing Device

Bring a portable device, such as a whistle or air horn, capable of producing a 4-second blast that can be heard for at least a 1/2 mile.

Lights

• Required between the hours of sunset & sunrise
• Red and green navigation lights
• White stern and/or anchor light

Visual Distress Signals

• Required on federal waters
• Accessible flares and day signals stored in a dry location

Safety Concerns, Tools and Spare Equipment 

• Consider carrying “tools” you may need, such as a cell phone
• Spare light bulbs, spare keys, flashlights, etc.
• Anchor and line
• Dock lines
• Boat fenders/bumpers
• First-aid kit

Fire Extinguishers 

• Required when carrying flammable liquids or fuel on board
• Must be fully charged
• Check the gauge or use the small test button to check the pressure
• Must be a type “B” fire extinguisher (for flammable liquids)
• Must be U.S. Coast Guard-approved for marine use
• For vessels less than 26 feet, one size No. 1, extinguisher is required
• Required for vessels 26 feet to less than 40 feet:
  • Two size No. 1 extinguishers OR
  • One size No. 2 extinguisher
• Required for vessels 40 feet to less than 65 feet:
  • Three size No. 1 extinguishers OR
  • One size No. 1 and one size No. 2 extinguishers, are required

Sound Producing Device

Bring a portable device, such as a whistle or air horn, capable of producing a 4-second blast that can be heard for at least a 1/2 mile.

Lights

• Required between the hours of sunset & sunrise
• Red and green navigation lights
• White stern and/or anchor light

Visual Distress Signals

• Required on federal waters
• Accessible flares and day signals stored in a dry location

Safety Concerns, Tools and Spare Equipment 

• Consider carrying “tools” you may need, such as a cell phone
• Spare light bulbs, spare keys, flashlights, etc.
• Anchor and line
• Dock lines
• Boat fenders/bumpers
• First-aid kit

PFDs | Personal Flotation Devices

• Children under the age of 6 must wear a Type I or Type II PFD while on the open deck of a vessel
• Persons operating, riding on, or being towed behind Personal Watercraft (PWC) must wear a Type I, II, or III PFD
• Vessels 16 feet or longer must have a Type IV throwable PFD in addition to jacket-type PFDs on board
• Use of Type III inflatable PFDs is illegal when operating, riding on, or being towed by a PWC
• Type III inflatable PFDs are legal on watercraft (other than PWCs for persons 16 years old or older)

Weather and Water Conditions

Before you head out, make two critical checks. First, double-check the weather forecast for your entire trip as conditions on the water can change unexpectedly. Secondly, file a float plan with a trusted person on shore. This step is a critical safety measure because it informs someone of your planned route, expected return time, and who’s with you. In the case of an emergency, a float plan will significantly improve response time from local authorities. To find a comprehensive guide and fillable float plan, click here.

Additional Boating Safety Tips

• Designate a spotter to help look out for the people in and around the boat as well as other boats
• Everyone in and outside of the boat should have a way to communicate with each other (a great way to do that is to agree on a set of hand signals before going out on the lake)
• Tell someone where you’re going, who is with you, and how long you’ll be away
• Stay dry and warm
• Anchor from the bow, not the stern
• Take a boater safety course
• Make sure to allow for as much space as possible when passing other boats
• When changing seats, stay low and near the center line of a small boat

Listen to the Oakland County, Michigan Government News and Information podcast to learn more about boating safety.

Swimming Safety Tips

Being out on the water is one of the best parts of summer, but it is vitally important to stay safe while you are swimming. Review these swimming safety tips before taking a dip in your favorite lake or pool.

When you’re out on the water, it is important to:

• Know how to swim
• Never swim alone
• Always swim in a designated area, preferably with a lifeguard on duty
• Keep an eye on little ones; they should never be more than a few feet away
• Never dive head-first into the water; diving into the water and not knowing how deep or shallow it is can cause serious injuries
• Never go swimming or operate a boat while under the influence of alcohol

Drowning Is a Real Risk

Any great day can quickly turn into a tragedy. Drowning is a risk when anyone goes swimming. Drowning is a leading cause of death for children. Many people think that drowning takes a long time, but it takes only 20 to 60 seconds for a struggling victim to drown, and most drownings occur 10 to 15 feet from safety.

If you are unsure if someone needs help, alert a lifeguard immediately. If there isn’t a lifeguard, still call for help and throw a flotation device at the person.

Here are some things to look out for when you are out on the water:

• Drowning victims cannot call for help. The respiratory system was designed for breathing, and speech is a secondary function. A drowning person is not getting enough air to breathe; therefore, they don’t have enough air to call for help.
• Drowning victims’ arms tend to extend laterally, so it may look like they are playing in the water.