News from the Office of Boating Safety

Avoiding Leers at the Launch:  Get Your Boat in the Water Without Ruining Your Reputation

The biggest fear most boaters have about launching their boats is humiliation. Boat ramps often come complete with a close-range audience. Slip-ups and goofs—made that much more likely by the interaction of cars and boats operating in close quarters—may be witnessed by a crowd of unsympathetic and impatient boaters awaiting their turn.

But botched launches can have consequences much more serious than a red face. As Jeff Hoedt, Chief of the U.S. Coast Guard Office of Boating Safety, says, “Mistakes at the launch ramp can mean severe property damage, and in some cases, injuries or even fatalities. Safety is every bit as important when conducting a boat launch as it is when boating out on the water.  In reality, accidents can happen anywhere—at any time.”

Prep for Success!
Seventy seven million adult boaters take to the water each year, which translates into hundreds of thousands of launches annually—each one having the potential for a dangerous mistake.

Although there are many important steps to the launch process, preparation is at the top of the list. The decisions that boaters make before they head out onto the water determine the success or failure of their launching effort.

The trip from home to the launch site is not guaranteed to be problem-free.  It’s important to carry a road hazard kit and a jack that can lift the weight of the boated trailer in the event of a break-down. It is also recommended that you check the trailer’s tires, frame, wheel bearings, and lights before heading out on the road. Once at the launch site, boaters should make sure there is enough room in the parking lot to accommodate easy turning and parking.

Finally, early preparation can ensure that boaters have the necessary safety equipment they need once out on the water. Key items include the proper number and type of U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets, a fire extinguisher, a throwable device, a first-aid kit, and a VHF radio (preferably two-way).

Your Launch Checklist!
“Of course, equal care is required at the launch itself,” says Douglas Luper, Chief Warrant Officer with the U.S. Coast Guard Office of Boating Safety. “Even experienced boaters can be so eager to get out on the water that they forget or neglect important steps in the launch process.”

A recommended checklist includes:

1. Put on a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket before working near the water
2. Make sure the water depth is sufficient for the boat
3. Make sure the ramp is wide enough to accommodate the boat and trailer
4. Make sure the ramp’s incline is suitable for the boat and trailer length
5. Check the surface of the ramp, and be mindful of particularly slippery conditions and/or sharp objects
6. Keep the boat connected to the trailer until launch
7. Make sure the emergency brake is set when out of the vehicle
8. Release transom tie-downs before backing into the water
9. Check the fittings
10. Inspect the fuel system
11. Check the oil
12. Make sure the motor brace is disconnected
13. Put in the boat’s drain plug 
14. Tip the motor up so that it doesn’t drag along the ramp
15. Once in the water, lower the outdrive and start the motor
16. For inboard propulsion, energize the installed blower for five minutes prior to starting
17. Make sure water is passing through the engine cooling system

Boating safety advocates can help by encouraging proper trailering procedures and promoting safe ramp procedures and checklists. The result? Other boaters waiting to launch their boats will want to follow your example—and have a more enjoyable experience as a boating enthusiast.

The U.S. Coast Guard is asking all boat owners and operators to help reduce fatalities, injuries, property damage, and associated healthcare costs related to recreational boating accidents by taking personal responsibility for their own safety and the safety of their passengers. Essential steps include always wear a life jacket and require passengers to do the same; never boat under the influence (BUI); successfully complete a boating safety course; and get a Vessel Safety Check (VSC) annually from local U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliaries, United States Power Squadrons®, or your state boating agency’s Vessel Examiners. The U.S. Coast Guard reminds all boaters, “You’re in Command. Boat Responsibly!”

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