Six Tips for Safely Refueling Your Boat

Learn how to prevent a tragedy at the fuel dock this boating season with six safety tips from BoatUS...

Fuel Safely. Photo © istockphoto/ImageegamI

The folks at Boat Owners Association of The United States just sent us a disturbing story about a boat explosion at a dock that resulted in the death of a 25-year old woman, and hospitalized four others that were onboard as well as the dock attendant. The accident happened while the recently purchased used boat was being refueled by its new owner for the first time.

Was this accident preventable?
BoatUS says a simple sniff test may have prevented this particular tragedy, and they sent us six tips for safely refueling your vessel that every boater should practice.

Unlike a car, boats have fuel tanks and engines located in enclosed spaces which often don't allow gasoline vapors to escape. Lifting the engine compartment hatch in an attempt to smell any lingering gasoline fumes is one of the best ways to make sure the blower is doing its job.

Prepare to be Boarded

Has your boat ever been boarded by the Coast Guard? In today's column Vin Pica walks you through the process so you can be prepared...

Guest blog by Vincent Pica
Chief of Staff, First District, Southern Region (D1SR)
United States Coast Guard Auxiliary

U.S.C.G. officers board a vessel during O.D.W. on Sunday. Photo by Petty Officer Jetta H. Disco.

If you’ve ever seen the reflection of the blue-rotating hailing light in the reflection of your windshield, you’ve felt the quickening in certain parts of your body – “Jeez, what did I do wrong??” The United States Coast Guard can and will board you at their discretion. They need no search warrant, no provocation, no reason other than “Good morning, sir. My name is Officer Jones with the US Coast Guard - the Coast Guard is here today to ensure you are in compliance with all applicable federal laws and regulations.”

Let's take a look at what happens after that...

Small Boats, Big Rescues

This past weekend marked by small boats getting into trouble with their operators not wearing life jackets...

Photo courtesy of the New Hampshire Fish and Game.

Each Monday throughout the summer, we take a look at all the boating incidents from the past few days and share some of the ones that are unique and interesting, or that can provide a reminder about boating safety.

This past weekend, as Operation Dry Water tried to reduce boating and drinking, small boats were getting into trouble all over the place...

Sea Song: Don't Drink and Boat

Our Sea Song of the Week may sound like a contradiction, but we're not the ones who brought up boat drinks...

Almost every Friday at the Daily Boater we pick a nautical tune to help you enjoy your weekend, even if you can't get out on the water. We call it the Sea Song of the Week.

This week's pick is a song we usually save for when it's cold and snowing outside, but with all this talk about Operation Dry Water, we were getting kind of thirsty....

Video: World on Water - Week 25

The latest edition of World on Water, the video news show that covers sailing races and more from around the world, is now available on FirstBoat.com...

This week's show, produced on Friday, June 24, 2011, includes the following highlights...

1. 2011 Rolex Giraglia Cup

2. 2011-12 The new China Team announcement of who will skipper their yacht “Team Sanya” in this year’s Volvo Ocean Race

3. 2011 Audi MedCup Marseille Trophy

4. 2011 Mark Foy 18 Footer Championships in Denmark

5. 2011 J Class Regatta Newport R.I

6. This week's “Fresh to Frightening” features the huge Alinghi crash in the recent Extreme sailing Series Istanbul Cup

You can now view a supersized version of World on Water on FirstBoat at FirstBoat.com/TV, or watch World on Water on the Daily Boater. Either way, the latest edition of the show is released each Friday. Stay tuned!

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River Festivals and Wooden Boat Shows

Nautical festivals and classic boat shows abound this weekend...

See boats like this at boat shows across the US this weekend. Photo © Nautical Sites Media

Each Thursday we write about all the upcoming boat shows and water-related festivities that are happening over the weekend. If you can't get out on the water you can at least be around boats and other folks with salt in their veins. The good news is that you won't have to go far - there are a bunch of river fests, water fests and boat shows around the world this weekend and we're going to tell you about them...

Boating News of the Weird

A few boating stories from the past 24 hours that we couldn't keep to ourselves...

In skimming the boating news headlines this morning as we do everyday at the Daily Boater, we found a few stories that were so bizarre that we had to share them with you.

They involve a jumping fish, a brazen thief, and a drunken tow boat operator...

Boating on Tap for the Start of Summer

Warning to boaters: The beginning of summer 2011 features an increased enforcement of BUI laws...

Don't be this guy. Avoid drinking while boating this summer.

The first day of summer marks the beginning of boating season for a lot of folks. While you’re having fun with family and friends out on the water, keep in mind that authorities are stepping up the enforcement of drinking and boating laws this year.

Father's Day Boating Rescue

Father and son rescued in Galveston Bay on Father's Day...

Father's Day had a happy ending for these rescued men. U.S.C.G. photo courtesy Lt. j.g. Erin Gill.

The chances of surviving when your boat capsizes or is in an accident increases significantly when you are wearing a life jacket.

Statistics on boating safety prove this again and again. That's why this particular Sunday morning rescue was so special.

Sure, it's cool that a father and son were rescued together and thus avoided a tragic Father's Day story that would scar their family for generations. But what's really special is the fact that the two men were rescued because they were wearing life jackets, enabling them to survive in the water for over two hours after their boat capsized in Galveston Bay, according to a Coast Guard news release. "Having those life jackets on saved their lives," stated Petty Officer 3rd Class Brett Bates, an Air Station Houston rescue swimmer.

Video: World on Water - Week 24

A brand new edition of World on Water, the video news show that covers sailing races and more from around the world, is now available.

This week's show, produced on Friday, June 17, 2011, includes the following video coverage...

1. Russell Cotts Capsize Oracel Racing's AC45 San Francisco
2. 2011 WMRT Korea Cup
3. 2011 Loro Plana Superyacht Regatta
4. 2011 Skandia Sail for Gold Regatta
5. 2011 Catalunya Costa Brave PWA World Cup
6. "Fresh to Frightening" - Man Overboard rescue 2009-10 Clipper Race, Atlantic Ocean

You can now view a supersized version of World on Water on FirstBoat at FirstBoat.com/TV, or watch World on Water on the Daily Boater. Either way, the latest edition of the show is released each Friday. Stay tuned!

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Father's Day Boat Shows

Looking for a nautical event to go to in honor of Father's Day? Look no further, there are plenty of boat shows and festivals this weekend...

Going to a boat show for Father's Day? Photo © Nautical Sites Media

Each Thursday we list all the boat shows, nautical festivals, and the like, that are happening that weekend so that you can have a chance to go to one near you. And if you can't get out on the water this Father's Day weekend, don't despair. There are several boat shows and festivals going on to help you do what Dad likes to do best - be around boats...

The America's Cup Flip

America's Cup sailboat AC45 tumbles across the bay, makes a splash on the evening news...

Photo Gilles Martin-Raget

You may have caught a five second clip on the nightly news Tuesday of a sailboat doing a partial somersault across San Francisco Bay. We saw it, and wanted to see more... learn what happened, see a longer video, find out if yacht races always have such spectacular crashes...

Last Minute Father's Day Gift Guide

Who sparked your lifelong interest in boating? If it was your father, this is a great time to say thanks for introducing you to something you enjoy so much.

A view from the helm on a sunny day on the Mystic River.

Father's Day is this Sunday, June 19TH. With this weekend fast approaching, and with so many of our readers being from boating families, we thought we'd share some last minute boating gift ideas from our friends at Boat Name Gear.

Boat Capsizes, Rescues and Accidents

Coast Guard, fire departments and other rescuers were busy on the water this past weekend...

Boat vs. Breakwater. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Jeff Davis

Each Monday in the spring and summer, we take a look at all the boating incidents from the past few days and share some of the ones that are unique and interesting, or that can provide a reminder about boating safety.

This past weekend, the Coast Guard and other first responders on the water were quite busy...

Happy National Marina Day!

National Marina Day
Today is National Marina Day in the United States, and there is a pretty good chance a marina near you is having a picnic or BBQ or an open house.

According to the official National Marina Day website, the day was created to promote the role marinas play as family-friendly gateways to boating, and to celebrate the marina personnel who act as stewards of the environment.

On National Marina Day, marinas around the country open their doors to their community as a means of introducing them to the fun and benefits of boating and the marina lifestyle.

Check the National Marina Day website to see if YOUR marina is doing anything special to celebrate.

Video: World on Water - Week 23

A brand new edition of World on Water, the video news show that covers sailing races and more from around the world, is now available.

This week's show, produced on Friday, June 10, 2011, includes the following video coverage...

1. Action from 2011 WMRT Germany, 2011-12 Volvo Ocean Race Groupama 4, 2011 Rolex Farr 40 North American Championship and more.
2. Velux 5 Oceans 2nd, 3rd and 4th place footage.
3. Finn World Masters Championship.
4. Singapore Laser Trophy.
5. Audi MedCup - Round 2 - Marseille Trophy.
6. "Fresh to Frightening" - Video of ships in huge seas

You can now view a supersized version of World on Water on FirstBoat at FirstBoat.com/TV, or watch World on Water on the Daily Boater. Either way, the latest edition of the show is released each Friday. Stay tuned!

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Sea Song for Wooden Boat Lovers

Our Sea Song of the Week is a nautical ditty from the British band Take That...

A wooden boat in Norwalk, CT. Photo © Nautical Sites Media

Every week we post a nautical tune to help you enjoy the weekend, even if you can't get out on the boat. We call it the Sea Song of the Week.

While our fellow Americans may not be familiar with the British pop band Take That, we assure you they are a household name in the UK. We recently stumbled across this nautical ballad which the band put out in 2006. (We only wish we found it sooner!)

Our Sea Song is off Take That's Beautiful World album...

Boating Events This Weekend

A pirate festival in NY, a west coast fleet week and several boat shows round out this weekend's nautical events...

Going to a boat show this weekend? Photo © Nautical Sites Media

Each Thursday we list all the boat shows, nautical festivals, and the like, that are happening that weekend so that you can have a chance to go to one if it's near you. And if you can't get out on the water this weekend, it will not be a total loss - there are several boat shows and festivals as National Fishing and Boating Week continues and we celebrate National Marina Day on Saturday...

Happy World Oceans Day

Today is World Oceans Day - a day to both celebrate and save the oceans for future generations

World Oceans Day 2011. Photo by Nautical Sites Media.

World Oceans Day is recognized on June 8th each year by the United Nations, many countries, and several conservation organizations. Since it falls around the beginning of boating season (at least in our neck of the waters), it's a good time to think about what we, as boaters, can do to keep our playground sustainable for the future. Think of it like Earth Day for the oceans.

Boating and Fishing Video Contest

Take Me Fishing is giving away a vacation - all you have to do is boat or fish...

All you have to do is "this" to win this contest.

We always try to let you know about the bigger contests that involve boating, and this may be one of the best ones yet with a chance to win a family vacation to one of four great locations. To enter, all you have to do is what you love to do anyway - go boating or fishing - and capture the moment on video.

The Take Me Fishing™ campaign knows that unforgettable memories are rarely made in front of the TV or while playing the latest video game simulating “real-life.” That’s one reason why during National Fishing and Boating Week (this week, through Sunday, June 12), Take Me Fishing is urging kids, families and outdoor adventurers to celebrate summer the “old-fashioned way” — by getting outside and making some real memories on the water. To sweeten the pot, they’re even offering up a trip for four in the 'Memories on the Water' video contest on Facebook!

Keep reading for more details and a video...

How Safe Can Your Boat Be?

Your boat is ready for the season, but is it really as safe as it can be? In today's column Vin Pica helps you make sure it is...

Guest blog by Vincent Pica
Chief of Staff, First District, Southern Region (D1SR)
United States Coast Guard Auxiliary

Boat safety goes beyond the inspection sticker. Photo Courtesy U.S.C.G.

If you saw the movie “Marathon Man”, you will surely remember Sir Laurence Olivier holding a dentist’s drill over Dustin Hoffman’s tooth and asking, “Is eet safe? Is eet safe?” Poor Dustin Hoffman kept asking “safe about what??” – until he started screaming… Your boat may pass its vessel safety check – which means it at least meets Federal minimums… But is eet safe…? This column is about that…

Weekend Boating Rescues

It was a busy weekend for rescuers on the water...

Training in Kodiak, AK. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Charly Hengen.

Each Monday throughout the spring and summer, we take a look at all the boating incidents from the weekend and share some of the ones that are unique and interesting, or that can provide a reminder about boating safety.

This weekend had a few we thought we should mention...

Sea Song for Carolina

Our Sea Song of the Week is for all our friends and family in the Carolinas...

Going to the Carolinas this summer?

Every week we post a nautical tune to help you enjoy the weekend, even if you can't get out on the boat. We call it the Sea Song of the Week.

North Carolina has been on our mind after some family members moved down there last month, and their move is a great excuse for us to visit the state - at least through a song. And since we haven't done a Buffett song since April, this was a great excuse to share one.

Video: World on Water - Week 22

A brand new edition of World on Water, the video news show that covers high performance boating around the world, was released this morning.

This week's show, produced on Friday, June 3, 2011, includes the following video coverage...

1. 2011 Delta Lloyd Regatta ISAF Sailing World Cup
2. 2011 Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show
3. 2011 Rolex Capri sailing Week "Volcano Race"
4. 2011 Velux 5 Oceans Finish
5. 2011 Extreme 40 Istanbul Cup
6. "Fresh to Frightening" 2011 Dockyard 18ft Skiff Grand Prix 1 Hungary

You can now view a supersized version of World on Water on FirstBoat at FirstBoat.com/TV, or watch World on Water on the Daily Boater. Either way, the latest edition of the show is released each Friday. Stay tuned!

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National Fishing and Boating Week Boat Shows

This weekend's nautical events include more than boat shows - they feature festivals, free fishing and fun...

Nothing Beats a Spring In-Water Boat Show. Photo © Nautical Sites Media

Each Thursday we list all the boat shows and nautical festivities happening that weekend so that you can have a chance to go to one if it's near you. And if you can't get out on the water this weekend, but want to do something nautical, you're in luck - there are a bunch of boat shows and festivals around the country and around the world, and it's the start of National Fishing and Boating Week to boot!

Ready Your Engines!

We know you're ready for boating season, but is your boat's engine ready? In today's column Vin Pica discusses the "Prevent Defense", or what to do before the engine breaks down!

Guest blog by Vincent Pica
Chief of Staff, First District, Southern Region (D1SR)
United States Coast Guard Auxiliary

Photo Courtesy of The U.S. Coast Guard.

We’re written about what to do when the engine stops or how to get rescued when things go really wrong. We’ve also written about how to commission the boat for a new season. But a lot goes on between Memorial Day and Labor Day and there are some simple preventative, pro-active things that you can do to stay at the razor’s edge of engine functionality. This column is about some of those ideas.