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Chapter 2: Before You Get Underway
Your Boat's Capacity

A boat operator should never take a boat on the water with too many people or too much gear on board. Boats loaded beyond their capacity will swamp or capsize more easily and will be more difficult to control.

• Look for a capacity plate near the operator's position or on the transom of the boat. This plate indicates the maximum weight capacity and/or the maximum number of people that the boat can carry safely in good weather.
  • You should not exceed either the stated maximum weight capacity or the maximum number of people.
  • Maximum weight is the combined weight of passengers, gear, and motors.
  • In many states, it is a violation to exceed capacity. Chapter 4 has the legal requirements for your state.
• Federal law requires single-hull boats less than 20 feet in length to have a capacity plate. (However, PWC and sailboat manufacturers are not required to attach a capacity plate.) Always follow the recommended capacity found in the owner's manual and on the manufacturer's warning decal. Never exceed these capacity recommendations.
• On vessels with no capacity plate, use the following rule of thumb to calculate the number of persons (weighing 150 lbs. each, on average) the vessel can carry safely in good weather conditions.

For example, for a vessel 18 feet long by 6 feet wide, the number of persons is 18 times 6 (or 108) divided by 15, which equals seven 150-lb. persons (or a total person weight of 7 x 150, or 1050 lbs.).

• On outboard boats, the capacity plate also will display the recommended maximum horsepower rating of the boat. Your boat's motor should never exceed this rating

Although federal law requires capacity plates only on boats less than 20 feet in length, the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) requires a capacity plate on all boats less than 26 feet in order to be certified by NMMA.

File a "Float Plan"

Before going out on a boat or PWC, it is always a good idea to tell someone where you are going and ask them to take action if you fail to return on time.

• For shorter daytime outings on the water, at a minimum you should:
  • Contact a responsible person before you go out and tell him or her where you will be boating and when you plan to return.
  • Give your contact the phone number for local authorities in case you fail to return when expected.
  • Contact this person again when you return or if you decide to extend your time out on the water.
• For extended outings on the water, leave a float plan with a relative or friend, or at least a local marina. You should leave a float plan that:
  • Describes the vessel, including its registration number, length, make, horsepower, and engine type.
  • Includes the description and license plate of the tow vehicle and trailer.
  • Gives the number of passengers, their names and addresses, and a contact in case of emergency.
  • States where you are going, the detailed route, your planned departure time, and your expected return time. Include the location of all stopping points, dates, and times.
  • Gives the phone number for local authorities in case you fail to return when expected. If boating on waters under U.S. Coast Guard jurisdiction, give the phone number of the U.S. Coast Guard

	Download a Float Plan form in PDF format. Download Pre-Departure Checklists in PDF format.
	Download Adobe Acrobat Reader.

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