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Boot Key Harbor
"Marathon- the Heart of the Florida Keys"

An On-Line Cruising Guide for the Florida Keys & Cuba
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Personal Safety Plan

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This short article is a quick summary of the items that you as a boater should consciously consider as this boating season ramps up here in the keys. Think of yourself as a “Vessel Safety Check” inspector (the program the USCG auxiliary and USPS share for voluntary inspection of vessels) and apply some of that scrutiny to your own boat and habits. All your flares current and know how to use them? Life jackets in good shape? (take a close look at each one and try it on to make sure your straps don’t break off). Registration and paperwork in order? - (VERY important for here in the Keys). Do you have onboard heads? – And if so do they terminate in a holding tank? (Remember that all of the Keys are now a no discharge zone, and even though it is illogical to pump waste into a mediocre municipal waste treatment plant instead of using your superior type I onboard treatment plant, it is still illegal. BTW – for those that don’t know, it’s always been illegal to dump raw sewage close to shore, the no-discharge has nothing to do with this). Is your anchor and rode in good shape and ready to go in an instant in an emergency? Have you inspected your engine for any obvious problems and done the recommended maintenance? (It’s a bummer to get stuck 15 miles offshore all night because your engine won’t start). Are your bilge pumps and alarms working OK? (sinking is more of a bummer). Fuel hoses and connections tight? (VERY important). Fire Extinguishers current? (in case you forgot to check your fuel line connections). Binoculars and current charts onboard? (unless you’re boating in an area you know like the back of your hand, both of these items are crucial to safe boating). Batteries in good shape with clean connections? Topsides in reasonable shape? (Don’t want a loose stanchion to break off underway, or twist your ankle on loose line on deck). VHF Radio (best), Cellular (next best), and USCG sound signaling device (almost worthless but required) on board? (In case you forgot to check your battery condition and you’re now stuck 15 miles offshore). Planned in advance for Man overboard scenarios? Set personal criteria for conditions when you WILL wear your lifejacket underway? Think about these and more, then do something.

P/C Gregory Absten