A well-planned day on the water is about more than just sunshine and good company; it involves clear roles and responsibilities to ensure safety and fun for everyone on board. Whether you’re heading out for fishing, leisure or sports, knowing and performing your role effectively can make all the difference. Here’s a guide to the essential roles each member can play to contribute to a smooth and enjoyable boating experience. 

The Captain

The Captain holds the ultimate responsibility for the operation and safety of the vessel and passengers. This role includes conducting pre-departure safety checks, ensuring the use of the engine cut-off switch, and checking batteries and other essential equipment before venturing out. The Captain also agrees to be the Sober Skipper^TM, ensuring that everyone on board understands and follows safety protocols such as maintaining three points of contact or staying seated while underway, and positioning children in the safest spots on the boat.

The Life Jacket Posse

Critical to ensuring the safety of all passengers, the Life Jacket Posse is in charge of distributing and fitting life jackets for everyone on board before departure. They make sure that each person’s life jacket fits properly and is worn correctly throughout the trip, ready to provide instructions and assistance as needed.

The Beverage Crew

Tasked with hydration and refreshments, the Beverage Crew plays a pivotal role in promoting responsible drinking by helping to designate a Sober Skipper and ensuring that the captain remains alcohol-free throughout the voyage. Their role is crucial in managing the beverage supply and making sure that alcohol consumption does not compromise the safety of the excursion.

The Fun Squad

Responsible for keeping the mood light and enjoyable, the Fun Squad organizes onboard entertainment and activities, especially for the children. They carefully store fishing equipment and other gear, ensuring it remains both secure and easily accessible without posing any hazards. Through their proactive preparation and attention to detail, they create an environment where everyone can relax, have fun, and feel safe.

The Anchor Team

Whether led by the captain or a designated crew member, the Anchor Team is responsible for managing the anchor. This includes calculating the correct scope, ensuring the appropriate amount of line is deployed, and hauling the anchor at the end of the day. Their attention to detail guarantees that the boat is securely anchored and remains in a safe position.

The Lookout

The Lookout plays a crucial role in ensuring the safety of watersports activities like wakeboarding and tubing. Tasked with keeping a vigilant eye on the surroundings, they watch for other watercrafts, swimmers and potential hazards in the water. Their primary responsibility is to alert the captain of any impending dangers or obstacles that could interfere with safe towing activities.

The Docking Mates

This team takes charge as the boat approaches and leaves the dock. Their Docking Mates responsibilities include preparing docking lines and fenders, securing the lines to the dock cleats and pilings or removing them upon leaving, ensuring that docking maneuvers are carried out safely and communicating with the captain to assist in smooth docking operations.

The Clean-up Gang

After a day of fun on the water, the Clean-up Gang helps to ensure that the boat is left in good condition. This includes organizing and storing gear, disposing of any trash, and tidying up the vessel to keep it clean and ready for the next adventure.

All Roles Matter

Each role on a boat is vital to the safety and enjoyment of your water excursion. By understanding and embracing these responsibilities, every crew member contributes to a safer, smoother sailing experience. Remember, a successful day at sea is a team effort, and knowing your role is the first step toward ensuring everyone has a great time on the water.

National Safe Boating Week is a week-long, focused event that brings awareness to safe boating before the Memorial Day weekend and the kick-off to the summer boating season. This year, National Safe Boating Week is celebrated from May 20-26, 2023.  The Sea Tow Foundation connected with some of the nationwide Sea Tow captains to share 7 boating safety tips that boaters may not think about, but should consider before enjoying a day on the water.

1. Make a float plan. A float plan explains where a boater is headed and when he or she plans to return, and it should be given to a trusted friend or family member staying on land. This is important in case an emergency happens, or the boater does not arrive back on time, because authorities will know where to focus their search efforts.

– Capt. Christian Orfanello, Sea Tow New Orleans (LA)

2. Carry communications devices. A cell phone won’t work in many places out on the water, even when you can still see land. That’s why it is important to carry a VHF radio that you can use to call for help. A Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) or a larger Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) can also be used in an emergency to help rescuers find you.

– Capt. Mike DeGenero, Sea Tow Charlotte Harbor (FL)

3. Rule of thirds. Always make sure you have enough fuel for the ride home by following the rule of thirds. Use 1/3 of your gas to head out to your destination and 1/3 to come back, but then you have another 1/3 for any unplanned events.

– Capt. Ann Merritt, Sea Tow Southern Maryland (MD)

4. Use navigation lights. Even if you don’t think you’ll be out after dark, it is important to have the proper navigation lights for your boat and ensure that they are working before you leave the boat ramp or dock. Lights let other boats see you in the dark and can also help you find your way back.

– Capt. Greg Dreischmeyer, Sea Tow San Diego (CA)

5. Always have an anchor ready. When things go wrong on a boat, it can happen quickly and being able to anchor your boat is an important way to stay safe. But your anchor is no good to you if it is tangled up at the bottom of a storage compartment: always have the anchor ready to drop swiftly. Keep the end of the anchor line secured to your boat, so you don’t lose the whole length. Anchor from the bow of your boat, as opposed to the stern, to help keep any waves from swamping the boat.

– Capt. Ethan Maass, Sea Tow South Shore (MA)

6. Slow down. You don’t need to race to get out to the water. It is always there, and the fish will be there, too. Take your time, slow down and enjoy the boating experience. Plus, you’re less likely to hit something submerged in the water, run aground or have other issues if you are proceeding at a slower pace.

– Capt. Jim Pulley, Sea Tow Table Rock Lake (MO)

7. Wear a Life Jacket. The Sea Tow Foundation recently launched the Life Jacket Challenge to raise awareness about the critical need to wear a life jacket at all times while on the water. By simulating the rapid onset of on-water emergencies, the challenge encourages boaters of all ages to try and don a life jacket in under 30 seconds. You wouldn’t think of trying to put on a seatbelt in the middle of a car accident, so why should you think you have the time to put on a life jacket in a boating emergency? Try the challenge and post your video whether you succeed or not for a chance to win prizes all summer long!

            -Gail R. Kulp, Sea Tow Foundation Executive Director

Check out some of the #STFLifeJacketChallenge Examples:
Capt Jim Pulley and Gail Kulp

Capt. Greg Dreischmeyer and Capt. Robert Park

Can you find and put on a life jacket in 30 seconds? Try the Sea Tow Foundation Life Jacket Challenge and be eligible for prizes all summer long. Find out more at: https://www.boatingsafety.com/lifejacketchallenge