Taking the family boating, has created some of our very best memories. To be sure your memories are good ones, you need to keep your children safe.
Boats are absolutely safe for children, when a responsible adult is watching out for their safety. Just like in a car, children have to use the proper safety practices and equipment. The responsible adult must teach boating safety and enforce the rules, but in a fun way.
The boat is not the issue with regards to child boating safety. It is the boat operators that have to be educated on what it takes to keep kids, and all passengers safe when out on the vessel. Follow theses guidelines and rules to make your family boating simple and safe.
Establish Your Boating Rules
As the owner and captain of your vessel, you accept responsibility for everyone you take out on the water. It is a good idea to establish some safety rules for everyone on the boat to follow. These rules keep them safe and enjoying fun-filled days of boating and watersports.
Most likely, if you’re taking children and their parents out on your boat, they probably don’t have a boat of their own. They may not know what dangers exist for the sport of boating. So, let’s look at a few of the rules you may want to implement for everyone’s boating safety.
- All children 13 and under must be wearing a “properly fitted” PFD (personal flotation device/life jacket), “at all times”. That is the law, but extend that age where you feel it is needed.
- Everyone is seated when the boat is in motion.
- Nobody enters or exits the water at the rear of the boat with the engine running.
- The boat driver can NOT drink alcohol at all.
- The driver must wear the kill switch tether.
- Before starting the engine, all passengers must be accounted for and clear of the propeller(s).
- Boat floor is kept free of debris and tripping hazards.
- Everyone being towed behind the boat, must be wearing a properly fitted (especially children) PFD.
Enforcing The Rules On Board Your Boat
Enforcing the rules on your boat is your job as the captain/owner. You are ultimately responsible for every child and adult on board. You are also the one to take blame in the case of injury or death, which could be mentally and financially devastating.
Establish the rules before heading out into open water, and verify that everyone understands what is expected of them. This may sound like a downer, but it is for everyone’s safety. You also don’t have to make this discussion negative either. Just have fun and be sure they know they are going to have fun while following the rules.
If a child (or adult) goofs up and breaks a rule, stop everything and be sure that they understand the danger and that they would have to go back to shore if it happens again. We have taken many different families and friends out to the lake for a day of boating. Everyone is there to have fun, but there has been a couple times where a kid just wouldn’t follow the rules.
I have taken kids back to shore a couple times, but this almost never happens. Sometimes parents feel that it’s OK if their child is doing something, that goes against your boating rules. Just politely let them know that everyone has to abide by the rules. Remember, it’s your butt on the line for the safety of your passengers.
Boating With Kids Safety Tips
Here are 4 important safety tips for you, when you have kids included in your boating fun:
Never leave the keys in the boat when you are not in it. You just might be surprised what happens to your boat ⇒ ⇒ ⇒- Keep the boat free of debris and fishing hooks.
- Do not leave kids in or around the boat when there is no adult supervision.
- Once a child is 13 or so, enroll them in a boater safety course. When they pass they will be able to drive the boat, but more important, they understand boater safety, rules, and regulations. (check with your state for age requirements). The course is online and they have to pass the test to get their certificate.
Never leave the keys in the boat when you are not in it. You just might be surprised what happens to your boat ⇒ ⇒ ⇒
When I was researching kids safety some time back, there was a “mom/mother” site that had a great idea. It was an idea to get kids to identify and locate different items about boating. She created a game card for kids to use in a scavenger hunt to identify and locate various boating items.
I wish she would have included more safety equipment items on the card, I would have linked to it. But since she didn’t, I made a kids boat safety scavenger hunt game card for you to use. It’s more inclusive of items that kids should be able to locate and access. You should print out the image below to have game cards for your child boating guests.
If you make this fun and have a prize for them completing the game card, they’ll love it. This also allows you to briefly go over each item and why they are needed, or in some cases the reasons to be careful around them.
Proper Fitting Life Jacket (PFD)
Why should you want everyone on your boat, most importantly children, to be wearing a properly fitted PFD? Because of the statistics from fatal boating accidents. 80% of all fatal boating accidents were found to be a result of the victim “dying from drowning”. Of those victims, 83% of them were NOT wearing a PFD!
I’m not crazy enough to think that these sobering statistics are going to make all adults suddenly start wearing their PFD at all times. But, I only feel it’s fair to let them know the actual truth, so they can base their choice on the facts. It should however, make them extra careful about being sure their kids have a PFD on at all times.
Boating accidents are not always caused by the captain of your boat. Very often boating accidents are caused by another boat colliding with yours. You can’t always avoid someone else’s actions, especially when they’re intoxicated.
Wearing a properly fitted PFD will greatly increase a boating accident victim’s chances of survival. There are a few things to be certain of when fitting a PFD on yourself or your children.
- First off, be sure the Life Vest has a weight rating range that fits within the persons weight. Just because the vest fits on you, doesn’t mean it will keep you afloat.
- The next fitment criteria would be to buckle up the vest completely, and with your hands held over your head, have someone try to pull the vest off over your head. If there is no way they can remove the vest this way (they shouldn’t be able to lift it more that an inch or two), then it passes, as long as the PFD is comfortable.
- The test is the same for children. The only difference is, there is a crotch strap that attaches the bottom rear of a child’s vest and threads between the child’s legs and buckles up to the front of the vest, as a double safety measure.
Do not have that strap buckled during this test! You don’t want that strap to be the reason the vest doesn’t slide off over the child’s head. This is a backup safety measure only, and should always be buckled when the child is wearing it on the water.
Boating With Infants
This is a touchy subject. Based on my own experience and the general boating accident statistics, I feel it’s best to keep infants off the boat. Let me explain before getting offended.
Boats are always at risk of other boaters. We can’t control what other boaters do, especially when they are drunk. Everyone wants to go boating and have fun, but some people think that it is ok to drink and drive a boat, which puts everyone on the lake at risk.
There are not any good PFD choices for infants in my opinion. In the case of being hit and the infant thrown from the boat, there is not much support for an infant’s neck and other very underdeveloped areas with little muscle strength. Once a child reaches 18 pounds, there are better options.
For the same reason you strap a child into an infant car seat in your car, would be similar to why it should be done in a boat, BUT, you sure don’t want to do that! If your boat gets capsized, your baby is trapped under water.
If your boat gets hit out in the water, you will not be able to hold onto your child. Given that fact, you should wait until your child develops more muscle and fits into a good PFD before taking them boating. Your child will have a much greater chance of surviving a bad accident. Remember, we can’t control when an accident is going to happen.
I did however find this product idea interesting. It is a floating car seat. While this does put a layer of protection around the child, it still has limitations, and again, you don’t want to strap the seat to the boat. The USCG likes the idea, but the company has struggled to gain enough interest to bring it to market.
Prepare Your Boat For Kids
Before you bring children aboard your boat, you’ll want to be sure it’s going to be safe for them. Most of the boats we talk about here on “Begin Boating” are used for multiple boating activities, so we want to be sure that the adult activities don’t end up hurting the family/child activities.
A couple examples would be:
- Having a party night with your friends where there is drinking and such. You don’t want there to be any alcohol or empty bottles on board. If your party had other adult content 😉 , then be sure that is all removed also.
- Going out for a day or weekend of fishing with your buddies. There is certain to be these same type of things that need to be cleaned up and removed off the boat before kids can be on board. Another issue to watch for very closely, is any fishing hooks that may have been dropped or snagged in the carpet or upholstery. A child getting caught on a fishing hook can be very painful.
You also want to be sure there are no tripping hazards, because kids aren’t very watchful. They are excited and just want to have fun. Also be sure the boat is restocked of any “kid safety equipment” that may have been removed at some point.
Make sure you have a cooler with plenty of drinking water and snacks for them. Also check to see that you have kids sunblock that is waterproof, and reapply it often. Before they board your boat, the kids should already be wearing a properly fitted PFD and ready for some fun.
If you have a bimini top for your boat, be sure it’s on board. If you don’t have one, click here to get the best bimini top for your money.
Family Boating Safety Course
Boat safety courses are a good idea for any new boater, but certainly for your older children. While some states may not require your kids to be of a certain age or even complete a boater safety course, it is best for the to do so anyway. I recommend you go to boat-ed.com and check out the boat safety courses there.
Here is a chart (article continues after this chart) with information from uscgboating.org showing state by state age requirements for operating a boat and PWC:
| State | Does your state set a minimum age requirement to operate a motor powered vessel other than a PWC? | If you answered “Yes” to the previous question, please list the required age and any other details such as horsepower rating. | Does your state set any minimum age requirements to operate a PWC? | If you answered “Yes” to the previous question, please list the requirements. |
| Alabama | Yes | 12 years old or older to operate any type vessel. 12 and 13 years olds must have someone 21 years old or older, who is a licensed operator, on board and within reach of the controls. 14 years old or older to operate alone. | Yes | 12 years old or older to operate any type vessel. 12 and 13 years olds must have someone 21 years old or older, who is a licensed operator, on board and within reach of the controls. 14 years old or older to operate alone. |
| Alaska | No | No | ||
| Arizona | Yes | It is illegal for a person under the age of 12 to operate a vessel with a motor greater than 8 horsepower (which includes personal watercraft) unless: An emergency exists or if another person at least 18 years of age is on board. | Yes | Arizona law states that it is illegal for a person under the age of 12 to operate a vessel with a motor greater than 8 horsepower (which includes personal watercraft) unless: An emergency exists or if another person at least 18 years of age is on board. |
| Arkansas | No | To operate a motorboat powered by 10hp or more: A person under 12 must have BE and be under direct visible and audible supervision of a parent, guardian or person over 17 years. | Yes | 14yrs to operate by themselves as long as they are BE certified. Persons 12 or 13 years must have BE and have a person at least 18yrs on board. Under 12 must have BE and have a person at least 21yrs on board and in a position to take immediate control of the PWC. |
| California | Yes | Must be 16 or older to operate a motorboat of 15 HP or greater if unsupervised. Those 12-15 years of age may operate under supervision of a person 18 or older who is on board. | Yes | Must be 16 or older to operate a motorboat of 15 HP or greater if unsupervised. Those 12-15 years of age may operate under supervision of a person 18 or older who is on board. |
| Colorado | yes | A person 14 YOA or older, who is less than 16 YOA, may operate a motorboat only if he or she completes a boating safety course | yes | A person 14 YOA or older, who is less than 16 YOA, may operate a motorboat only if he or she completes a boating safety course |
| Connecticut | Yes | under 12 years old can operate up to 10hp alone | Yes | 16 |
| Delaware | No | Yes | 14 to 16 with adult on board with boating class, 16 with a boating class | |
| District of Columbia | No | No | ||
| Florida | No | Yes | Operators of personal watercraft must be at least 14 years of age. | |
| Georgia | Yes | Yes | 12 years of age | |
| Hawaii | No | Yes | 15 | |
| Idaho | No | No | ||
| Illinois | No | No | ||
| Indiana | Yes | Operator must be 15 yrs old and meet ID and education requirements or 16 yrs old or older with a valid motor vehicle drivers license to operate a motorboat with a motor greater than 10 hsp. | Yes | Same as #27 |
| Iowa | Yes | Minimum age 12 to operate vessel over 10 h.p. | Yes | Those under age 12 must be accompanied by an adult. |
| Kansas | Yes | 12 years of age for any vessel | Yes | 12 years of age |
| Kentucky | Yes | Must bet 12 years or old to operate 10 horse power or greater. | Yes | Must be 12 years or older |
| Louisiana | No | Yes | 16 with a boating certification | |
| Maine | Yes | when operating a motorboat with more than 10 hp, a person under age 12 must be under immediate supervison of person in boat who is at least 16. | Yes | A person under age 16 may not operate a PWC. A person between 16 & 18 years of age may operate a PWC if they have successfully completed an approved education course, or if they are accompanied by a person 18 years or older. |
| Maryland | Yes | When operating a towing vessel (water skiing, etc.), the operator and observer must be at least 12 years of age. | Yes | 16 |
| Massachusetts | ||||
| Michigan | No | Yes | Age 14 and older | |
| Minnesota | Yes | Must be at least 12 (except for PWC – that age is 13) and to operate motors over 25 HP – person must be certifed. | Yes | 13 |
| Mississippi | Yes | at least 12 and completed an approved boating safety course | Yes | at least 12 and completed an approved boating safety course |
| Missouri | No | Yes | 14 unless under the direct, onboard supervision of a parent, guardian, or other person 16 years of age or older. | |
| Montana | Yes | For motorboats over 10 hp: 0-12 must be accompanied by and adult, 13-14 must have certificate or be accompanied by adult, 15+ no requirements. | Yes | For PWC over 10 hp: 0-12 must be accompanied by and adult, 13-14 must have certificate or be accompanied by adult, 15+ no requirements. |
| Nebraska | Yes | 14 | Yes | 14 |
| Nevada | No | Yes | 14 years old | |
| New Hampshire | No | Yes | if ski craft a minimum of 16 years of age, if pwc must be accompanied by an adult until 16 years of age | |
| New Jersey | Yes | 13-15 YOA vessel powered by elec motor, or if vessel is 12’or greater with engine/engines of less than 10 total HP | Yes | 16 YOA + possess a boating safety certificate |
| New Mexico | Yes | 13 | Yes | 13 |
| New York | Yes | 10 to 18 must have a boating safety certificate to operate alone | Yes | 14 yrs and older only if they have a boating safety certificate |
| North Carolina | No | Yes | No one under 14 years of age may operate a PWC. Persons 14 years old up to 16 years of age may operate if they are accompanied by an adult 18 or older or have a certificate of competency from a NASBLA approved boating education course and some form of ID. | |
| North Dakota | Yes | Minor 12-15 years must be state certified to operate over a ten horsepower boat without an adult on board. | Yes | Minor 12-15 years must be state certified to operate over a ten horsepower boat without an adult on board. |
| Ohio | No | Yes | Must be at least 12 years old. | |
| Oklahoma | Yes | No person less than 12 YOA may operate any vessel powered by a motor or combination of motors in excess of 10 HP or sail-powered vessel 16 feet or greater in length. A person from 12 to less than 16 YOA may operate such vessels only after successfully completing a NASBLA approved boating education course and if operating a motorboat or sail-powered vessel, must have a competent adult, 18 years of age or older, on board in a position to take control of the vessel if necessary. | Yes | No person less than 12 YOA may operate any PWC. A person from 12 to less than 16 YOA may operate a PWC only after successfully completing a NASBLA approved boating education course and must be visually supervised within 500 yards by a competent adult 18 years of age or older. |
| Oregon | Yes | See#20 | Yes | 16 years of age to operate alone |
| Pennsylvania | Yes | You must be at least 12 years of age to operate a motorboat greater than 25 horsepower. | Yes | 12 |
| Rhode Island | No | No | ||
| South Carolina | No | No | ||
| South Dakota | Yes | Children under the age of 12 cannot operate a motorboat of more than 6 horsepower unless accompanied by a person at least 18 years of age. | Yes | Minimum age to operate a pwc is 14 unless accompanied by a person at least 18 years of age. |
| Tennessee | Yes | No one under 12 unless operating a boat powered by an 8.5 HP or less, person at least 10 but less than 12 and the boat is at least 14 ft and the boat has a motor less than 15 HP | Yes | No one under the age of 12 |
| Texas | Yes | Minimum Age = 16 Vessels = Motorized with greater than 15 horsepower | Yes | 16 |
| Utah | Yes | 16 | Yes | 18 unless completed PWC education course |
| Vermont | Yes | Any person under the age of 12 can not operate a motor boat of more than 6 horse power. | Yes | Must be 16 years of age or older and have a boating safety certificate. |
| Virginia | No | Yes | ages 14 and 15 must pass a NASBLA approved course to operate a PWC | |
| Washington | Yes | must be 12 years of age, applies to motorboats with 15 or more horsepower | Yes | 14 years of age, when rental PWC operator must be 16 years of age |
| West Virginia | Yes | No one under 12 may operate a motorboat over 10 HP. 12-15 may operate with an adult on board. Includes PWCs | Yes | See question #27 |
| Wisconsin | Yes | Age 12 | Yes | Age 12 |
| Wyoming | Yes | under 16 w/adult | Yes | under 16 w/adult |
Additional Safety Classes For Kids
You and your older children should also know CPR. As a family, find time to take a CPR course. These are usually quite easy to find. I know our local fire department has free CPR courses running regularly.
Don’t only count on PFD’s for your kids staying afloat. Actively teach them to swim. The best environment for this is through swimming lessons locally, that are teaching groups of kids how to swim. Seeing other kids succeed, helps your kids succeed.
Prepare For The Unexpected While Boating
Once we leave shore, we really don’t know what is going to happen in open water. The longer the trip, the more potential for breakdowns or mishaps. The risks are higher when we have kids with us on the boat and venture far away.
Sometimes it sounds extreme to think about survival gear, when your plan is to just go have fun with the kids. However, since bad things can happen at any time, we need to be prepared for the unexpected. Especially when our children are involved.
Other safety items you should carry on board your boat:
- Food
- Drinking water
- Dry clothes sealed in a plastic bag
- Plastic bags for wet clothes
- Hat
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Towels
- Blankets
- Jackets
- Bug Repellent
- Ponchos
- A way of creating shade from the sun
- All the best safety equipment
- And anything that will help keep the kids calm in the case of an emergency.
Again, the further away from home you get, the more important it is that you have these things. If you were miles off shore or far away and remote on a lake or river system with your family, you need to prepare for the trip properly.
Please stay safe and protect your children using all these safety practices.