Before the temperatures fall below freezing, it’s time to put boats into hibernation. Properly winterizing a boat will help make the spring commissioning a drama-free event and help get you out to enjoy the water safely.

If any of these tasks are more daunting or involve more than you bargained for, don’t hesitate to contact the boat dealer where you purchased your boat or a professional boat repair shop. If you need a recommendation for a company you can trust, reach out to your local Sea Tow captain and see who they would suggest.

Clean Inside and Out

• While your boat is in the water, clean and inspect your trailer. Grease wheel bearings or replace if needed. Inspect and replace tires that exhibit dry rot or excessive tread wear. Replace damaged bunks, lights, wiring, winch components, tie-downs or rollers.
  
  
• Remove everything that’s loose in the boat such as bottles of motor oil, watersports equipment, life jackets, fishing gear, towels and food. Doing this will help prevent mold and mildew from forming. You can find some tips on how to properly store your life jackets over the winter in this blog post.
  
  
• Use a mild, boat-specific soap and warm water with a soft-bristled brush or a cloth to clean the boat inside and out. Ensure everything is dry before closing any hatches.
  
  
• While cleaning, carefully inspect the boat for damage and correct any issues. If the boat was kept in the water, use a pressure washer to clean every surface at or below the waterline, making sure to remove marine growth before it dries and hardens.
  
  
• Fiberglass and painted aluminum boats should receive a coat of wax.

Prepare the Gas Tank and Engine

• For those new to boating, having a dealer perform winterization tasks is recommended since any damage to your boat or motor due to faulty procedures can void the warranty.
  
  
• Most engine problems that happen in the spring are due to old gas with ethanol. So, on the last trip of the year, burn as much gas as possible and then fill the tank with at least ¾ of ethanol-free gas, if you can find it, to avoid phase separation (when water bonds with the ethanol and separates from the gas). Add a fuel stabilizer and run the engine for at least 10 minutes to allow the new gas to clear the old gas out of the fuel lines and engine.
  
  
• When you pull the prop, make sure the seal is intact and that there’s no fishing line wrapped around the shaft. Grease the shaft, reinstall the prop, and use a lock since most thefts occur during winter storage.
  
  
• Change the engine oil and lower unit gear oil. Also be sure to change the oil and fuel filters. If the lower unit is milky white, this is an indication that the shaft seal is compromised and will need to be replaced.
  
  
• Lubricate all grease fittings.
  
  
• Inspect the engine’s hoses and belts and replace them if needed.
  
  
• Read your engine’s service manual and spray an anticorrosive per the instructions – this step will help protect the internal surfaces of your engine.
  
  
• Trim the outboard or sterndrive’s lower unit down to drain it and quickly turn the starter key on and off to clear water from the water pump housing.
  
  
• Remove the batteries and store them in a cool, dry place, periodically using a trickle charger to keep them fully charged.
  
  
• Remove all electronics and store inside, if possible. Spray a silicon sealant on the connector ends and wrap the ends in a plastic bag, especially if the boat is staying outdoors over the winter months.

Use Antifreeze in Freshwater Systems and Toilets

• For simple freshwater systems, pump out the holding tank, drain and add propylene glycol antifreeze. Make sure to read the label before using as antifreeze may require dilution.
  
  
• Run the shower or flush the toilet until you see the antifreeze and don’t use again until spring. Complicated systems should be serviced by professionals.

Cover it and Jack it Up

• To cover the boat, use a tight-fitting tarp that’s well-supported in the middle to withstand the weight of rain and snow, if the boat is being kept outdoors over the winter months. Another option is to have a dealer or professional boat storage facility shrink wrap the boat. This is a good idea whether the boat is being kept indoors or outdoors and is well worth the money it costs.
  
  
• If the boat is on a trailer, jack it up and support the frame with wood blocks to take the weight off the tires. This is also a good theft deterrent.

The Payoff

Properly winterizing your boat means you have less headaches when it comes time to launch it in the spring. Since most of the heavy lifting will be done, you won’t be one of those unlucky boaters in the spring waiting for a hectic repair shop to fit you in to make needed repairs. You’ll just need to take off the cover, complete an inspection, wash the boat inside and out, and bring back all of the equipment and electronics. We’ll be sure to share all the details for spring commissioning in a future blog post. In the meantime, a great activity for the winter months is to take a boating safety class - we have some suggestions for you in this blog post.

If you found this article helpful, please consider a donation to the Sea Tow Foundation today to help us continue our efforts to educate boaters and keep them safe on the water. You can donate securely online at www.boatingsafety.com/donatetoday or by clicking on the DONATE tab at the top of the page.

Life Jacket Loaner Programs save lives. By providing life jackets that boaters of all ages can borrow and return free of charge, a life jacket loaner station can prevent drowning. According to the U.S. Coast Guard, 75% of fatal boating accident victims drowned and 86% of those were not wearing a life jacket. This is likely because people who drown never expected to end up in the water and are not prepared with a correctly fitting life jacket for everyone, but a life jacket loaner station can provide life jackets for free to ensure everyone’s safety. Developing an effective life jacket loaner program includes considering partnerships, continued funding, station location, publicity and using the resources provided by the Sea Tow Foundation

Partnerships
The most important part of a successful life jacket loaner program is to involve and include as many stakeholders as possible. You already have the advantage of being affiliated with the Sea Tow Foundation and the U.S. Coast Guard, but the more partnerships you can create, the better your life jacket loaner program can be. Each agency/organization brings something unique to the program and it is important to host meetings and discussions with everyone involved in the early planning stages as well as throughout the life of the program. Stakeholders can include any groups in the area that would benefit from safer waterways including those groups involved in boating as well as swimming. Possible partners include your state boating agency, state or local parks, Safe Kids USA organization, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, U.S. Power Squadrons, other non-profit organizations, civic groups like the Lions or Moose, scouting groups, etc.  

Find Funding 
Building a successful life jacket loaner program requires money. There is just no way around that fact. Although you have received the life jackets from the Sea Tow Foundation for free, there are other costs to consider when implementing a life jacket loaner program. Signage may need to be printed to help people find the loaner stand. In addition, the life jackets will eventually need to be replaced and the stands will either need to be repaired or replaced and that requires funding. The Sea Tow Foundation can’t guarantee the availability of grant funds to assist with this in future years. Therefore, it is crucial to plan out all of the costs ahead of time and make plans for where the funding will come from. Failure to plan ahead for funding means that a new life jacket loaner program could be successful and prosperous in its first year and then disappear from the community in its second year due to lack of funding.

Choose a Good Location 
A life jacket loaner stand will not be successful if the public cannot find it and use the life jackets. Choosing a location is important because the goal will be to have the loaner stand at this specific place for a long period of time. Conduct research on drowning statistics in the local area and observe where boaters and other water enthusiasts spend a lot of time on their way to the water. A marina store, waterfront office, fuel dock or boat ramp can all be a good location for a life jacket loaner stand, but these don’t have to be the only options. Boating safety camps, marine law enforcement stations, fire departments, libraries, lifeguard stands, community centers as well as many other locations could be successful places to put a life jacket loaner stand. To prevent loss and theft, a loaner stand that is at least perceived to be under surveillance will see a higher rate of life jacket return, so consider a well-populated location where the life jackets and/or stand will have lots of people around it. An additional safeguard would be that the life jackets and/or stand could be secured overnight, if that is possible. 
After deciding on potential locations, it is important to involve the business owners, organization representatives and town council in the decision of where to place the life jacket loaner stand. Although many businesses, organizations and towns welcome the addition of safety initiatives such as life jacket loaner programs, there may be some that require additional convincing.  

Publicize the Life Jacket Loaner Stand 
When the life jacket loaner stand has been built and placed at its location, host a press event to showcase the good work that your organization/agency has done. Stage a ribbon cutting ceremony and invite the local stakeholders, business owners, politicians, law enforcement officials and members of the press along with anyone else that may be interested. You can submit a press release to your local newspapers with the assistance of the Sea Tow Foundation. 

Resources Available from the Sea Tow Foundation
Using all the resources available through the Sea Tow Foundation will help keep your station successful. Whether it’s adding your station to the interactive location map, providing PSAs, ordering program products, and downloading webinars, we’ve got you covered.
Click here to the Resources page and here to the Store.

If your organization, boating agency, company, or municipality wants to host a Sea Tow Foundation Life Jacket Loaner Station during the 2023 boating season, the application is now closed as of February 2, 2023. To be notified when the 2024 grant application opens on November 1, 2023, please fill out this form. 

Donations to the Sea Tow Foundation help us fund programs that help in our efforts to educate boaters and keep them safe on the water. You can donate securely online at www.boatingsafety.com/donatetoday or by clicking on the DONATE tab at the top of the page.

While Abstaining From Alcohol is a No-Brainer, Remember to Stay Hydrated

When it comes to operating a boat safely, water should be the beverage of choice because even consuming small amounts of alcohol adds risk. Alcohol affects the body in many ways, and none of them are good when it comes to operating a boat. But forgetting to drink enough water can also have adverse consequences.

Environment

The effects of alcohol and drugs are greatly intensified by wind, vibration, the motion of the boat, noise and the sun. Alcohol is a depressant that accelerates mental and physical fatigue and can make a driver less safe as the day wears on.

Experience Level

Unlike operating an automobile — which most people do every day — the average boater only operates their boat 110 hours every year. People new to boating have been in fewer on-the-water situations and may have to think twice before performing tasks experienced boaters can do automatically. While this inexperience is magnified when consuming alcohol, no amount of experience can overcome the negative effects of drinking, which greatly reduces reaction time and situational awareness. Things can happen fast on the water and hesitation can be dangerous for all boat operators.

The 3 Detrimental Effects of Alcohol

1. Physical Coordination: Poor balance is one of the telltale signs of drinking that’s made worse by a constantly moving boat. Reaction time is longer, and a boat operator’s ability to perform even simple tasks can be hindered.

    

2. Vision: Drinking alcohol affects vision in many ways. Peripheral vision and depth perception are reduced. Night vision and the ability to focus are diminished. Alcohol consumption even affects the ability to distinguish between red and green markers.

    

3. The Ability to Think Clearly: The ability to make good decisions is one of the most important attributes of a safe boat operator. Alcohol consumption leads to riskier behavior that is proportional to the amount consumed.

Water as a Beverage of Choice: Dehydration can also adversely affect a boat operator’s ability to drive safely. Dehydration can cause dizziness and reduced concentration, which can have serious consequences on the water. Being out in the sun all day requires all on board to make a concerted effort to drink fluids and nothing beats water. Although sports drinks can quench thirst, many are loaded with sugar, which is not good in large quantities. Even a sedentary adult loses 2.5 quarts of water a day and the U.S. Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine recommends women should consume at least 92 ounces of water a day and men at least 120 ounces for daily maintenance. But because boaters are outdoors, these levels should be increased.

Statistics Don’t Lie: Boating Under the Influence (BUI) statistics don’t lie. Last year, there were 296 accidents where alcohol consumption was the primary cause. During those accidents, 115 people died (39%). BUI is 100% preventable. Abstaining from alcohol while operating a boat keeps those onboard and nearby safer.

You can help eliminate BUI by taking the Sea Tow Foundation's pledge to be or to designate a sober skipper before every boating trip. The Sober Skipper Campaign also has additional tools to help improve boating safety in your local area by hosting a Sober Skipper event or sharing the PSAs and videos.

To keep everyone on board safe, choosing water over beer is the right call.

Follow These 11 Tips To Make Hunting From a Boat Safer

Hunting waterfowl can be a great time to bond with friends or family, but it is important to take the proper precautions to keep everyone safe.

Small boats can be more tricky to maneuver than larger ones which can lead to problems for many. According to the U.S. Coast Guard’s 2020 Recreational Boating Statistics report, 342 people died while using boats less than 16 feet long, which make up the vast majority of hunting boats. Also, small hunting boats are more prone to tipping when both two- and four-legged passengers move about. And because these boats usually have flatter bottoms to help provide more stability, they do not operate quickly or smoothly like other types of boats used for recreation and transportation. In addition, most hunting occurs during the fall or winter months when birds are migrating so the water is likely to be cold, which can be dangerous should anyone fall overboard.

Follow these tips so you can make hunting by a boat safer:

1. Everyone should wear life jackets at all times while hunting from a boat, even your hunting dog. And yes, they make camoflagued life jackets.
2. Never exceed a boat’s maximum weight limit, which is displayed on its yellow capacity plate. Consider the weight of the rifles, decoys, gear, and any hunting dogs that may be in the boat with you.
3. Keep the boat balanced by placing heavy items in the center of the boat as low as possible. When boarding, passengers should also step in the center of the boat to avoid tipping.
4. Keep all firearms unloaded with the safety on and keep them in their case until you are ready to use them so there are no accidental discharges.
5. When shooting a hunting rifle, remain seated in the middle of the boat. Standing makes the boat top-heavy, and the recoil can make a hunter lose his or her balance and fall into the water or cause the entire boat to tip over.
6. Use a specially designed boarding ladder for your hunting dog, and make sure your boat also has one for people. Trying to get back into the boat once you are cold and wet is difficult enough without a boarding ladder.
7. Place and retrieve decoys with a net rather than leaning over the gunwale and also teach hunting dogs how to safely leave the boat and return without tipping the boat over.
8. Avoid going out on the water in rough conditions, whether in a small or large boat. Flat-bottomed boats do not handle waves well and can become swamped and/or capsize.
9. File a detailed float plan and give it to friends, family members and your local marina.
10. Do not use alcohol and drugs while operating a boat or hunting.
11. Dress in layers with your life jacket on top and prepare to get wet if you should fall overboard. Should a boater fall overboard in chilly water, their first reaction is a cold water shock that causes involuntary, rapid breathing. This only lasts about a minute and knowing what to expect ahead of time can prevent panic. After this phase passes, the person only has about 10 minutes (depending on the air and water temperatures) to get out of the water themselves or summon help before losing the ability to swim, climb the ladder, or yell for help. Once swim failure sets in, the life jacket will help keep them afloat, especially if they become unconscious.

Enjoying a hunt on the water can be a lot of fun while putting food on the table. Taking the proper precautions will help keep everyone safe. For more fall safety boating tips, please visit here.

If you found this article helpful or entertaining, please consider a donation to the Sea Tow Foundation today to help us continue our efforts to educate boaters and keep them safe on the water. You can donate securely online at www.boatingsafety.com/donatetoday or by clicking on the DONATE tab at the top of the page.

Knowing What to do When a Person Falls Overboard Can Save a Life

Sometimes a situation on our boat will cause a person to fall overboard into the water. This could happen when leaning too far over the side to land a fish or it could happen if another boat’s wake causes your boat to be tossed around leading to someone being ejected. The U.S. Coast Guard’s 2020 Recreational Boating Statistics Report ranked falls overboard as the fifth highest cause of boating accidents leading to 181 deaths and 161 injuries. That is why it is important for everyone on board to know what to do if anyone falls overboard so that they can be recovered quickly and safely. And these techniques can also be useful for helping someone who has a water emergency when you are on land whether at the marina or at a dock alongside the waterway.

The Sea Tow Foundation has provided the following 4 steps to help in an overboard emergency:

Step 1: If anyone falls overboard, someone on the boat should immediately yell “Man Overboard” and point to the person in the water. If the person who noticed the fall overboard is the operator of the boat, another person should be designated as the water watcher and continue to point at the person in the water throughout the rest of the event until the person is back on the boat. If the person who fell overboard is the boat operator, someone else should immediately step up and complete the next step while someone else keeps an eye on the person in the water.

Step 2: The boat operator should immediately stop the engine and also press the MOB (Man Overboard) button on the boat’s GPS unit, if one is equipped. If not, a pin can be dropped on an online map to mark the location. This will note the exact coordinates of the location, which may be needed later.

Step 3: Begin the rescue process. When looking to rescue someone in the water, the phrase to remember is “Reach, Throw, Row and Don't Go” as the order to take to bring the person in the water to safety. These steps can work if someone falls in a pool while you are on land or if the person falls into the water from a boat.

• Reach an item out to  the person in the water like a boat hook, paddle, or other item and use it pull him or her toward the boat. The object can help extend the reach and keeps the rescuer safe from being pulled in by the person in the water.
• Throw  a boat cushion or life ring or some other type of floating object to the person overboard so that they can hold on to it. It is even better if this floating object has a rope attached that can be used to bring the person to you. Remember, all boats longer than 16 feet except canoes and kayaks are required to carry a throwable flotation device.
• Row (or motor) the boat slowly toward the person, keeping the person on the boat’s starboard (right) side for better driver visibility. Be careful that the propeller does not get anywhere near the person in the water if the motor must be used to move the boat.
• Don't Go into the water to get the person unless it is the last resort and only if it is safe to do so. The rescuer should be trained in water rescue and be able to swim, plue they should always wear a life jacket. Someone else should stay on board the boat and watch the rescue.

Step 4: Contact the Coast Guard on Channel 16 immediately if you lose sight of the person or can not rescue them. Provide the last know location or coordinates of the missing person.

Don’t forget that using an Engine Cut-Off Switch is now the law!

As of April 1, 2021, federal law requires the use of an Engine Cut-Off Switch (ECOS) for boats less than 26 feet when in motion. This device saves lives by stopping the engine when the boat operator leaves the helm because the device is connected to the operator by a lanyard. There are also wireless models that are available on the market that can offer protection for the boat operator and all of the passengers when each person wears a pendant or FOB on their life jackets. Sea Tow Members can receive a 15% discount on the MOB+™ system and accessories by visiting buy.fellmarine.com.

Free ECOS Wristband with a Donation for a limited time

The Sea Tow Foundation is offering a wristband that can be easily attached to an Engine Cut-Off Switch lanyard for a donation of $50 that goes directly to benefit safety and education programs. The bracelet has a Velcro-adjustable strap for a custom fit and can be quickly removed when the boat operator needs to temporarily leave the helm. And, it meets the requirements for the new Federal Law.  Get yours today at www.boatingsafety.com/ECOS-Wristband.