Boating Safety: Staying Reachable on the Water
On the water, small problems get big fast. Weather turns. Engines quit. Being reachable — and being missed on time — is the difference between an inconvenience and an emergency.
File a float plan
Tell someone on land where you're going, who's with you, and when you'll be back. Boat name, description, and marina if applicable.
Set a check-in countdown
Start a Safeangelsapp.com countdown before you leave the dock. Extend it if the trip runs long. If you're overdue and can't cancel, your contacts get your last known location.
Comms redundancy
VHF radio is primary offshore. Phone is backup — in a waterproof pouch, on a lanyard. Consider a PLB (personal locator beacon) for anything beyond a lake.
Weather
Check the marine forecast the morning of, not the day before. Wind picks up faster than most people expect.
PFDs on, always
Most people who drown were wearing a PFD — on the boat. Wear it, don't just carry it.
Set up your one-tap check-in
Start a countdown when you feel unsafe. If you don't cancel, we alert your emergency contacts with your live GPS location. $4.99/month. Cancel anytime.
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