Safety & Prevention

Boating can be fun and relaxing for the whole family … provided you keep boating safety in mind for yourself, your passengers, and your boat. From in-depth articles on hurricane preparation and boat insurance to rules of the road, avoiding navigational hazards, and calling for a boat tow through TowBoatUS, you’ll find it here.

Abstract underwater scene with several translucent jellyfish drifting through blue water, tentacles trailing, with faint fish silhouettes and swirling light patterns in the background.

In Deep Water

A routine fishing trip turns catastrophic when a boat sinks 15 miles offshore, leaving three friends fighting waves, exhaustion, sharks, and 28 hours in open water to survive.

Adult fastening a properly fitted child life jacket on a young boater near a dock before heading out on the water

Zip, Clip, Go!

A real-life boating emergency on the Hudson River shows how properly fitted life jackets—and the BoatU.S. Foundation’s free loaner program—helped keep eight people safe and is expanding access nationwide.

Person holding a Tower of the Year award plaque in front of a TowBoatU.S. step‑hull boat backdrop.

TowBoatUS Savannah Named Tower Of The Year

Dana Rutland of TowBoatU.S. Savannah shares the emotion, teamwork, and service values behind his 2026 Tower of the Year Award.

Marine fuel‑water separator with a clear bowl containing collected water, shown mounted against a blue background

Clever New Water-In-Fuel Detection And Alert System

WIF‑Pro detects water buildup in fuel‑water separators and alerts boaters before filters are overwhelmed, helping prevent fuel contamination and engine damage with audible, visual, and MFD alerts.

All A-Boarding Ladder

Capsizes Prompt Sea-Doo Switch Recall

Owners strongly urged to take safety precautions until repair work is completed.

Ocean Scout Pro

When BoatU.S. Magazine tested FLIR’s new Ocean Scout Pro portable thermal imaging monocular, we were convinced that seeing is believing

Boating Safety Gear

We’re always on the lookout for new and innovative safety gear and found these smartly engineered products at the 2025 Miami International Boat Show.

Cut The ECOS Lanyard

Wireless engine cutoff switches offer captains more range of motion and an additional layer of safety.