We ask all boaters to become familiar with a few key guidelines

Familiarize yourself with the local waters

Familiarize yourself with the local waters where you plan to boat. Study your charts. Always use up-to-date nautical charts of the area.

Make sure you have enough life jackets

Make sure you have enough life jackets for all on board, including children. Life jackets can greatly increase chances of survival at sea.

Use marked channels

Use marked channels where they exist and stay in deeper water where your propellers and hull won't damage shallow-water habitats. Know the draft of your boat and how much water you need to operate safely.

Slow down and idle

When in doubt about the depth, slow down and idle. Make sure the bow of the boat is down and the motor is trimmed or tilted up.

If you run into a seagrass flat

If you run into a seagrass flat, you will be leaving a sediment trail behind your boat, making the water murky and probably cutting seagrass roots. Stop immediately and tilt your engine. Pole or push the boat into deeper water.

Use Mooring Buoys

White mooring balls with a blue stripe are placed at key locations so you will not have to toss out an anchor over fragile corals. Learn where to find them and how to use them.