How to Use Boating Etiquette

Boating etiquette is necessary for making an outing on the boat pleasurable and safe. Many of the rules of boating etiquette help to keep your boat and passengers and other boats and passengers safe on the water. Many of the basic rules of boating etiquette are common sense and others are learned and fine tuned as your time boating increases.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Learn the rules and laws of the waterway in which you are boating. Rules and laws vary from state to state and from location to location. If you are boating in a new location, you can ask for a copy of these rules and laws from the local boating authority.

2. Stay sober. This is the law if you are piloting the boat. Drinking alcohol or doing drugs while boating can be deadly. Accidents and dehydration are possible when you mix boating, the sun, water and drugs or alcohol.

3. Be prepared to launch your boat as soon as you reach the launch ramp. This means that you need to stop and move things from your vehicle to your boat right before you reach the launch ramp. By doing this, you will help to ensure that any boats waiting to launch after you will have the shortest wait possible.

4. Respect other boats and watercraft. Boats cause waves. That is unavoidable. If you see smaller boats or other watercraft in the area, slow your boat down if possible so that you make the smallest waves possible. In some cases, large waves created by boats can be deadly to watercraft such as canoes.

5. Throw your trash away in the appropriate place. Throwing your trash into the water is an example of bad manners and in most places it is illegal. Keep your trash on board your boat and throw it away in a trash can when you dock. Remember that some trash, such as wrappers, may fly when you are underway because of wind.

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