Boating Safety: Inspect Your Equipment Before You Leave the Dock

When I taught seamanship and boat handling to new owners, everyone seemed eager to learn how to make a perfect docking maneuver—then blast out of the marina. But my first lesson was always about safety. One memory sticks with me: a middle-aged man who, excited to board his new boat, immediately slipped and landed face-first in the cockpit. Wet soles and old running shoes turned an enthusiastic moment into a painful reminder that boats are full of hazards. No matter a person’s experience, safety cannot be an afterthought.

Start with the Basics: Understand Your Safety Gear

Safety on the water isn’t only about skill; it’s also about knowing your equipment and keeping it serviceable. My approach began with inspecting and understanding every piece of safety gear aboard: where it’s stored, how it deploys, and whether it will function under stress. Too many devices sit out of sight for years and are assumed to be ready when they may not be.

Inflatable Life Rafts: Inspections Aren’t Optional

One incident illustrated this clearly. On a large sportfishing convertible I boarded, a teak table lifted to reveal a valise containing the yacht’s inflatable raft—an elegant, accessible solution for offshore work. By contrast, a friend who did bluewater fishing stowed his raft beneath a forward bunk because it was the only available space. He never considered how he would get it overboard in rough conditions.

Inflatable life rafts require periodic inspections by the manufacturer or an authorized service throughout their lifespan. Some owners skip these checks to save money. My friend learned the hard way: after ten years of storage he pulled the inflation cord on a snowbank during winter haulout. The raft inflated, then deflated seconds later because of small tears. If that failure had occurred a mile from shore in rough seas, the consequences could have been far worse.

Folds, salt moisture, and degraded internal components can weaken a raft over time. Valves and seals can corrode, and the inflation charge can leak away. Professional servicing may cost hundreds of dollars, depending on raft size and contents, but it’s a worthwhile investment. Watching a qualified technician perform an inspection also teaches you how the raft deploys and what to expect in an emergency—knowledge you don’t want to learn for the first time at night or in bad weather.

Wearable Life Jackets and Throwable Devices

Safety gear that sits in lockers—life jackets, throw cushions, and similar items—needs regular attention. After replacing a torn Type IV throwable cushion with a new one, I thought it smart to keep the worn cushion as a spare. Captain Bill Brogdon, a retired U.S. Coast Guard officer who spent years on Alaskan icebreakers and patrols, corrected me bluntly: discard damaged safety gear. In an emergency someone might reach for what appears to be a serviceable device and find it defective.

I followed his advice, disposed of the tattered cushion, and purchased a second Type IV so I would always have two good throwables aboard. I also began checking the wearable life jackets stored in a ventilated locker. Mildew and salt moisture can attack fabric, seams, and webbing. Early mildew can be cleaned with a diluted bleach solution, but persistent damage or aging should prompt replacement.

Other Safety Items to Monitor

Many items carry expiration dates or require periodic replacement: pyrotechnic visual distress signals, EPIRB batteries, hydrostatic release units, and some fire extinguishers are examples. Smoke alarms and carbon-monoxide detectors are only protective when powered and functioning. Those small details are easy to forget until it’s too late.

Even devices that seem reliable can fail. Once I proudly demonstrated a portable air horn during a Coast Guard inspection and received a compliment for having two sound-producing devices. Two weeks later that portable horn was empty. I’ve since made a point to test and service every horn, whistle, and siren regularly so they’ll work in an emergency—not just pass an inspection.

Make Safety Routine

Being careful can feel tedious if you’re eager to get out on the water, but routine inspection and maintenance of safety gear are what make boating enjoyable and reassuring. Regular checks, timely servicing, and sensible replacement of questionable items let you relax on board knowing you’re prepared for the unexpected.

This article was originally published in the February 2023 issue.