• Plan your trip - check equipment, weather and vessel
  • Tell somebody where you are planning on boating and when you are expecting to return
  • Don't drink and drive - less than .05 for recreational vessel operators aged 18 years and over and a person supervising a child operator of a powered vessel
  • Keep a proper lookout at all times
  • Be aware of lifejacket requirements and ensure you wear the approved type for your vessel or water activity Children under 12 must wear one at all times on vessels less than 4.8m or when in open areas of vessels less than 8m that are underway
  • Only carry as many people as are permitted on your boat - and make sure there are enough appropriately sized life jackets for each person on board
  • There are mandatory pieces of safety equipment you need on your vessel - make sure you know what they are and always carry every item
  • Adhere to speed limits and other navigational signage
  • Wear your lifejacket when boating in poor weather conditions, when crossing a coastal bar, if a squall or storm approaches, or when boating alone away from immediate help
  • Know your limitations and the capabilities of your vessel - and stick to them
  • Log on and off with Marine Rescue when you head out on the water via your Marine Rescue NSW base on VHF Channel 16 or use the free MarineRescue App
  • Operator’s of vessels may be random drug tested
  • Boating safety