Boating Safety Tips

Media Contact: TPWD News Business Hours, 512-389-8030

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  • Always wear a life jacket.
  • Avoid alcohol.
  • Be especially careful on personal watercrafts.
  • Children younger than age 13 must wear a Coast Guard approved life jacket while underway.

  • Enroll in a boater education class.
  • Don’t overload your boat.
  • Operate at a safe speed.
  • Always have a passenger serve as a lookout in addition to the operator.
  • Watch out for low water areas or submerged objects.

Always Wear a Personal Flotation Device (PFD) or Life Jacket

  • Most boating fatality victims were found (recovered) NOT wearing a PFD.
  • Always carry extra PFD’s in both adult and child sizes.
  • Children younger than 13 years old must wear a PFD while underway.

Avoid Alcohol

  • The probability of being killed in a boating accident doubles when alcohol is involved.
  • Operating a boat under the influence is just as dangerous as driving a car after you have been drinking.
  • Boating while intoxicated (BWI) is strictly enforced and carries penalties similar to driving while intoxicated penalties, including possible Driver’s License suspension.

Enroll in a Boater Education Course – Regardless of Age

  • It’s a good idea for the whole family to enroll in a boater education course.
  • A majority (52 percent) vessels involved in boating accidents are operated by persons 26-50 years of age.
  • For information about classroom, home video and on-line course options, visit the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Web site at http://tpwd.texas.gov/ or call (800) 792-1112.

Be Especially Careful On Personal Watercrafts (PWC)

  • PWC operators and passengers must wear a life jacket.
  • Before you borrow or rent a PWC, take the time to learn how to operate the vessel and the rules of the waterway.
  • Obey the 50-foot rule! Maintain a 50-foot distance from other PWC’s, vessels, persons, shore, stationary platform or other object unless operating at headway (idle) speed.

Operate at a Safe Speed

  • Although there are no numerical speed limits on the water, citations may be issued for excessive speed or reckless operation. Use common sense, and operate at a safe speed at all times – especially in crowded areas.
  • Excessive speed is a rate of speed greater than is reasonable or prudent without regard for conditions and hazards or greater than will permit a person to bring the boat to a stop within the assured clear distance ahead.

Any other questions can be directed to (512) 389-4627.