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The article offers helpful tips for staying safe while onboard a boat. Topics covered include wearing a life jacket approved by the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), giving safety instructions to passengers and filing a safe float plan. Also mentioned are updating the first-aid kit for the boat trip, using other equipment for lifesaving such as the Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) and carrying basic spare parts and tools such as spark plugs, belt wrench and impeller replacements.

Presents information on several products and equipment for boats and boating as of September 2003. Sea-Doo Sea Scooter, a personal water propeller; Standard Horizon HX470S navigation equipment; Youth Watersports Vest; Aqua FM snorkel.

The article presents suggestions for using life jackets which include inspecting wear or damage in the jackets, checking service indicators and auto-inflation of life jackets. It further presents an answer to a question on the requirement of gear lubricant in trim motor installed in a 50 hp Honda motorboat.

The article presents suggestions that should be considered while riding personal watercraft which include wearing a life jacket, attaching kill switch and protecting eyes by using sunglasses. Topics discussed include carrying global positioning system (GPS) while surfing, wearing sunscreen and managing the intake.

The article presents tips for a smooth road trip without problems. It discusses inspecting the trailer carefully before the trip, nailing everything on the boat like life jackets to preventing them from blowing out, need for rest stops while towing, heating problem in the wheel hubs, increasing the usual safety measures for trailering mishaps.

The article offers safety tips to personal watercraft (PWC) owners and enthusiasts. Owners are advised to wear a life jacket every time they come into the water. The need to be aware of other people in the water is stressed so as to avoid collisions and other accidents. PWC owners are reminded not to start the engine too early or to turn it off too late to avoid having the intake clogged up with debris.

The article offers safety tips on recreational boating with toddlers. Parents are advised to buy their infant or toddler a life vest that has a flotation collar. It is important to reapply an adequate amount of sunscreen on a child's skin every two hours. A parent should ensure there is a comfortable place aboard for children to rest.

The article presents questions and answers related to boats and boating. One boater asks about the legal requirements for building boat trailers. A father seeks advice on the appropriate life jacket for children. Another reader inquires about the best way of making people interested in buying his 1983 23-footer fiberglass boat.

The article offers information on several boating gear including the Adjustable Poly Filet Table from Taco Marine, the D-2 Baitwell Gravity Drain Assembly from Beckson Marine Inc. and the Treble Angler life jacket from Old Town Canoe Co.

The article offers tips on how to ride on a personal water craft (PWC) safely. Topics discussed include attaching the kill switch into the life vest, wearing a life jacket and steering system maintenance to avoid collision with other water vessels. Also suggested are the items to bring including sunscreen to prevent sunburn, bottled water and handheld global positioning system.

The article discusses the locations in early spring for cold-water fishing by sports fishermen. It is noted that fish are cold-blooded and are attracted to baits and lures that simulate dying fish. Help from electronic tools such as the Lowrance Elite-4 CHIRP sonar with DownScan Imaging technology is detailed along with the use of long leads in clear water and type III PFD life jackets for safety.

The article talks about national Wear Your Life Jacket to Work Day and National Safe Boating Week that reminds of being safe in water, causing of skin cancer fatalities due to exposure to UV rays, applying of water resistant lotion or spray and wearing sunglasses.

The article focuses on how to proper store watersports gear. Topics discussed include cleaning skis, wakeboards and kneeboards with mild soap and warm water, the need for wetsuits to be rinsed after every use, and cleaning and drying vests before storing them in a dark and cool place. It also recommends cleaning towable tubes before storing them.

The article discusses several important boating safety issues that hunters should consider according to the U.S. Coast Guard. Topics discussed include a pre-departure checklist and a float jacket or life vest approved by the U.S. Coast Guard, signal of mobile phones in outlying areas, and appropriate gear and a thorough knowledge of the environment for dogs.

The article focuses on safety preparations for boating during the spring season in the U.S. Topics discussed include making sure the life jackets and type IV throwables are in good condition and properly stored for easy access in case of emergency, navigation rules for signals and sound signals, and safety measures for the vessel's Digital Selective Calling (DSC) very high frequency-frequency modulation (VHF-FM) marine radio.

The article discusses the guidelines presented by the U.S. Coast Guard for Personal Watercrafts (PWC). Topics covered include the groups offering boating safety courses such as the Coast Guard Auxiliary, PWC Industry Association, and the PWC Safety School, the regulations governing PWCs emphasizing its registration, wearing of life jackets, and protection, and the importance of knowing state laws on water. Also mentioned are information for secure use of PWCs.

The article presents the waterskiing equipment needed by every boat. Every boat must have a pair of combo skis for beginners and suggests the modern shaped combo skis with more width at the tip and tail that makes it easier to get up. A well-equipped boat should have at least two tow lines and combo and slalom skiers usually use a line made of poly-propylene. One should also have Coast Guard approved flotation vests that properly fit each of the skiers, riders and passengers.

The article discusses some tips to prepare the boat and passengers for safety on the boat. Late winter and early spring are the best times to brush up on boating operations, safety and the rules of the road. One should take a look at optional but potentially lifesaving equipment and check if one has all the required safety equipment by reviewing the Coast Guard booklet. One should also check of the life jackets still fit and make it mandatory for everyone to wear them when they are afloat.

The article cites several mistakes boat owners should avoid in order to prevent boating-related accidents that could result in either injury or loss of life. It asserts that boat operators and passengers should be familiar with the basic procedures of handling a boat and observe essential safety precautions such as wearing life jackets. It also stresses the danger of consuming alcohol on boating trips, noting how it impairs the judgment and coordination of both boat operators and passengers.

The article discusses the extra precautions one should make when boating alone. It recommends preparing for this event by taking a boating safety course through the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and other agencies. Other recommendations include checking all required safety equipment and making sure one knows where they are, dressing appropriately in layers to avoid hypothermia and wearing a life jacket at all times. It mentions adding a personal locator beacon (PLB), a whistle and a signal mirror.

Letters to the editor are presented including one on an opposition to the mandatory wearing of life jackets for occupants of all boats and one in response to the article "Worst-Case Scenario How-to" in the June 2011 issue.

Letters to the editor are presented in response to articles in previous issues regarding regulations on wearing life jackets aboard a vessel in the U.S.

This article discusses the various fishing vessel equipment considered essential for offshore anglers. These equipment include life vests for passengers, a marine-band Very High Frequency-Frequency Modulation (VHF- FM) radio, and a Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) for providing GPS coordinates and homing signal during rescue operation. There is also information about the different risks to be considered by offshore anglers.

The article presents a question and answer related to inexpensive safety measures while boating including safety drills, life jackets, and first aid kit.

The author discusses the opportunities of northern boaters and challenges of southern boaters from cool winter weather. Topics discussed include prevention against hypothermia and drowning by avoiding intake of alcohols, specific reference of the television series "Hill Street Blues" and tips to wear a life jacket in warm weather.

Several letters to the editor are presented in response to articles in previous issues including "Solving a Slippery Situation" in the January 2009 issue, "Man's Best Friend Overboard," by Wayne Stacey in the January 2009 issue, and "Clean Up Your Act" in the March 2009 issue.

The article presents tips on how to avoid mistakes when launching a boat. These include the wearing of a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket before going into the water, giving oneself enough room for turning and parking at the marina and ensuring that the launching ramp is wide enough for both the boat and the trailer. It advises boaters to remember important steps in the process of launching since mistakes not only result in embarrassment but can also cause property damage and serious injuries.

Provides answers to questions about boats. Correct way to fly the American flag on a boat; Suggestion for holding the bolt from turning and tightening the nut at the same time when installing a new cleat; Recommendations in purchasing life jackets.

An introduction is presented in which the editor discusses various reports within the issue on topics including BoatUS.org's Innovations in Life Jacket Design competition and the importance of having cayenne pepper in a boat's first aid kit.

The article evaluates several watersports gears including the SwiftShield Automated Boat Covers from Sunstream Boat Lifts, the Water Buddies life jackets from Full Throttle, and the custom toggle switches for boats from Flip Custom Switches.

Statistics are given on the global boatint sector which includes the number of life jackets inflated at one time, the speed of the fastest speed boat, and the number of boats at a parade in Malaysia.

The article provides a comparison of outdoor sporting accessories including the Hobie Cat Mirage Outback fishing kayak from Hobie, the Ronny Fisher life jacket from Astral, and the Brewer water shoes from Astral.

The author discusses whether boating is getting safer in 2014. Trends covered include 2013 being the safest boating year on record, public awareness of the advantages of wearing life jackets being at an all-time high, and how boater education has proven to be an effective method for improving boating safety.

The author reflects on issues concerning boating in the U.S. as of May 2014. Topics discussed include the functionality and what happens to a person immersed in cold water, the U.S. Coast Guard's efforts to make wearing life jackets an automatic part of boating, and the U.S. Coast Guard's operations under the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) increased budget.

A quiz on how to properly fit life jacket on children is presented.

The article reports on a proposal to lower the fines for people caught riding a personal water craft without a life jacket in New Mexico.

An image is presented of a dog named Harley, owned by Montey and Michele Lane of Lakeville, Indiana, wearing a life jacket on a boat.

The article offers tips on ensuring boating safety as preparation for the spring launch. It states that life jacket and type IV throwables must be in good condition and properly stowed in case an emergency arise. It suggests to check signaling and communication equipments such as visual distress signals (VDS) and VHF-FM radios. It adds that medicines packed in the first aid kit must be checked by their dates and only Coast Guard proven fully charged fire extinguishers are required to use.

The article emphasizes the importance of conducting boat passenger safety briefings as a predeparture routine. Boat captains are advised to customize briefing to the characteristics of the vessel. It suggests posting safety orientation printed on a laminated card in a prominent spot. Also enumerated are key safety briefing points to be considered by boat captains including the location of life jackets and how to stop the boat safely.

The article offers tips on boating in fall and winter, when the sun sets early and the temperature drops fast and there are fewer boaters to call for help. It is advised that boats should not be overloaded and all aboard should be wearing a life jacket. The article states that the critical phases of cold-water immersion and delaying the onset of hypothermia should be understood.

This article offers information on the Sea Squirts Life Jackets from Opa Cove.

The article offers a guide for recreational boaters to safe boat handling in bad weather. It emphasizes the importance of checking the marine forecast before heading out on the water. It stresses the value of ensuring that anchors and lines, life jackets and other safety equipment are always readily accessible. It outlines the actions that passengers must take in a sudden storm.

The article presents statistics related to wacky waterlogged world records, including the largest group of people pretending to be sea otters, largest group life jacket inflation and smallest recorded fish caught using a hook.

The article offers information on several products for boaters, including the Otis Doggy Vest from CWB Board Co., the Chadd Padd disposable refueling mat from Chadd Padd and the DenderRod Companion FenderRods.

The article offers tips on choosing life jackets for children for use during boating. Recommendations include the need to look for a U.S. Coast Guard approval label on the inside of the life jacket and to get a good fit of the jacket. Also an important factor to consider when buying a life jacket is the comfort of wearing it. Other suggested measures are to recheck the fit of the jack at the start of every boating season and to inquire about the Life Jacket Loaner Program of BoatU.S. Foudation.

The article reports on the latest trends involving personal flotation devices (PFDs) as result of developments in technology. The integration of safety with lifestyle and sports is cited for the range of styles, materials, easy-to-spot colors and features specifically designed for specific on-the-water activities. Five types of flotation devices for boaters include offshore life jacket, nearshore buoyancy vests, flotation aid, throwable devices, and special use devices.

The article offers tips on keeping dogs safe on the water when on a boating excursion. It states factors to be considered when fitting them in a life jacket such as comfort and purpose. For people with large dogs, the author suggests installing a pet ramp or stair on the back of the boat. In order to get a small dog back aboard quickly, the author also recommends using a fishing net attached with line to the boat.

The article presents information on a 1952 Feather Craft Vagabond, named Silver Bullet, which was restored by its new owner, Ric Boles. According to the author, the hardest part of the restoration was finding original optional accessories like the horn, floodlight and a 1954 Coast Guard-approved life jacket. Its original engine, the 1952 Evinrude 25 horsepower (hp), was replaced by a 1956 30 hp Johnson Javelin.

The article presents statistics on a variety of topics related to boating including the number of life jackets loaned out through the BoatU.S. Loander Program each year, the percentage of boaters who wore personal flotation device (PFDs) in 2007 and the number of states that currently have no PFD wearing requirements.

Talks about the Innovations in Life Jacket Design Competition sponsored by the Personal Flotation Device Manufacturers Association and the BoatU.S. Foundation for Boating Safety. Overview of a design entered by Adam Malcolm, a graduate student in the University of Virginia; Prize won by Malcolm; List of honorable mentions in the competition.