---
title: Boating Safety 101
description: How to stay safe on the water - from wearing your life jacket to renewing your boaters education and filing a float plan - we cover it all!
---

[Seattle Boat Company Learning Center ](https://learn.seattleboat.com)

# [Boating Safety 101](https://learn.seattleboat.com/boating-safety-101)

 Written by [Sara Grim](https://learn.seattleboat.com/author/sara-grim) | 7/1/22 9:26 PM

What floats your boat? For us, it’s knowing everyone is safe out on the water!

Boat safety is the most important part of making memories on the water with your friends and family.  In this post we compile a few of the most important aspects of boaters safety from the experts.

## WEAR A LIFE JACKET

A life jacket is the single most effective piece of safety gear on a boat! Check out these links for the latest Life Jacket information from the experts. 

- [Life Jacket Safety](https://www.parks.wa.gov/981/WearItWA)
- [How to Choose the Right Life Vest](https://www.uscgboating.org/images/howtochoosetherightlifejacket_brochure.pdf)

## TAKE A BOAT SAFETY COURSE

<https://www.uscgboating.org/images/howtochoosetherightlifejacket_brochure.pdf>

An educated boater is a safer boater! Get your boater education card today. A variety of courses are available, one for everyone’s schedule.

- Learn more at [www.boatered.org](http://www.boatered.org/)

## BOAT SOBER

Designate a Sober Operator and never boat under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or medication. Alcohol use is the leading contributing factor in fatal boating accidents.

- [Learn more](https://www.parks.wa.gov/1214/Operation-Dry-Water#:~:text=In%20Washington%20state%2C%20it%20is,rowboats%20and%20inflatable%20fishing%20rafts.)

## FILE A FLOAT PLAN

A float plan is an overview of your boating trip given to a third party. It can help authorities looking for a boater if for some reason they don't reach their destination.

- [Learn More](https://www.discoverboating.com/ownership/safety/float-plan)

## BOAT PREPARATION

No matter what type of boating you do, you'll need a few critical items onboard, including some required by the U.S. Coast Guard.

- [Learn More](https://www.discoverboating.com/resources/boat-safety-checklist-safety-equipment)

[View full post](https://learn.seattleboat.com/boating-safety-101)

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