1. Knowledge - know your abilities, know your boat, know the area where you you will be boating. Make sure you are familiar with the charts and the physical locality.
Know the Collision Prevention Rule, Navigation Safety Rule and local Bylaws.
Remember the 5 knot rule

• within 200 metres of shore
• within 50 metres of another vessel or swimmer.

2. Safety Check:

• ensure boat and all motors are fully serviced, no fuel leaks, auxilliary motor is carried,
• a lifejacket for each person,
• enough fuel for round trip,
• batteries charged, spare battery,
• first aid kit, food and water.
• Avoid drinking alcohol when boating.

3. Communication

• Carry at least 2 means of communication that work even when wet. - At least one should be a VHF radio with channel 16, the universal distress frequency, plus local channels (ask your coastguard). - get Radio Channels
• VHF Radio, Flares, EPIRB, mobile phone in sealed plastic bag.
• Keep your radio on at all times.
• Ensure you tell someone of your plans and time of return
• Place a Trip Report with coastguard.