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Boating accidents: safety and emergency response

Emergency numbers differ by country. This page uses 911, the number for the United States and Canada. Many other countries use 112, 999, or another number. Find the number for your country.

Boating accidents include capsizing, collisions, grounding, and person-overboard incidents. Wearing life jackets and acting quickly prevents drowning.

Do this now

  1. Put on life jackets (life preservers) immediately if not already wearing them.
  2. If someone falls overboard: shout "Man Overboard", throw a flotation device immediately, and keep eyes locked on the person in the water.
  3. If the boat capsizes: stay with the vessel. Climb onto the upside-down hull to keep your body out of cold water.
  4. Call Coast Guard or local marine emergency services on VHF radio Channel 16 or call your local emergency number (911).
  5. Signal for help using flares, mirrors, whistles, or visual distress signals.

Person overboard procedure

If a passenger falls into the water:

  1. Shout and assign a spotter: Yell "Man Overboard left/right side" to alert the captain. Designate one person to stand high and point continuously at the victim in the water. Never take your eyes off them.
  2. Throw flotation: Toss a throwable flotation cushion, ring buoy, or life jacket near the victim right away.
  3. Turn vessel around carefully: The captain should turn the boat back toward the victim, stopping the engine before approaching to prevent propeller strike injuries.
  4. Pull aboard over the stern or swim ladder: Help the victim back into the boat safely.

What to do if your boat capsizes or sinks

  • Stay with the boat: A capsized boat is much larger and easier for search and rescue aircraft or passing vessels to see than a person swimming alone.
  • Climb onto the hull: Getting as much of your body out of the water as possible reduces the risk of hypothermia.
  • Account for all passengers: Do a headcount and ensure everyone has secured a life jacket.

Marine distress communications

  • VHF Radio Channel 16: The international emergency and distress channel monitored by Coast Guard agencies worldwide. State "Mayday, Mayday, Mayday", give your boat's name, vessel location (GPS coordinates), description, number of people on board, and nature of the emergency.
  • Visual Distress Signals: Use red pyrotechnic hand flares, orange smoke signals, or an SOS distress light after dark.

... note "Coast Guard regulation" Maritime safety agencies require U.S. Coast Guard approved life jackets for all passengers on recreational vessels. Taking a certified boating safety course drastically reduces accident risks.