Before you step behind the wheel, helm, or tiller of any marine operated vessel, whether it's an afternoon excursion for fishing, or a weekend vacation, it's important not only to know how to properly operate the vessel (even if it's only a small sailing boat), but to understand basic marine safety and emergency procedures.

Marine safety could save your life, or the life of somehow close to you, and by understanding some of the basic knowledge about traveling on water (on the lake, in a river, at sea), you can prevent marine accidents or fatalities. What you should know, are the basic rules of boating, from leaving the marina to traveling on open water, and everything in between.

Proper preparation includes visual inspections, inclusion of all your necessary safety equipment (lifejackets, flares, radio, first aid kits, charts, rations), an understanding about how other vessels will react to your presence (courtesy, right of way, wakes and waves), communication skills (emergency transmissions, proper radio channels, signaling), and a familiarity with your territory. Going out on the water isn't the same as getting into a car, and there are many important lessons to be learned from proper marine safety.

To learn more about marine safety and avoiding marine accidents, visit United States Coast Guard Boating Division.