Coast Guard Boat Safety Checklist
A Coast Guard Boat Safety Checklist is a captain’s shortcut to a hassle-free inspection and, more importantly, a safe voyage. Instead of hoping that registration papers are current or that every life jacket is serviceable, the checklist walks crew through a fixed sequence — documents, flotation gear, distress signals, fire equipment, navigation lights, mechanical checks, pollution controls, deck integrity, and a final crew briefing.
Because the list is organised in the same order inspectors use, completing it before every departure saves time at the dock and reduces the risk of fines, voyage delays, or failed safety drills. Captains can clip the free PDF to a bulkhead for quick pen-and-tick use, then file the sheet in the logbook as proof of compliance. Larger fleets often load the template into a mobile safety-management app, where crews time-stamp each step, attach photos of HIN plates or extinguisher gauges, and sync the report to shore staff for real-time oversight.
The checklist also standardises maintenance routines. Weekly run-throughs reveal cracked fuel lines or dead navigation bulbs before they become mid-channel breakdowns. Quarterly archive files give owners a clear service history — useful for insurers, surveyors, and resale negotiations. If the vessel’s gear list changes (for instance, switching to inflatable PFDs or adding AIS), updating the template takes minutes, keeping the routine aligned with the latest Coast Guard regulations.
Whether you skipper a weekend runabout or manage a charter fleet, a Coast Guard Boat Safety Checklist turns scattered “don’t forget” notes into one reliable routine — protecting passengers, meeting legal requirements, and letting everyone focus on enjoying the water instead of worrying about paperwork.
Certificate of Number / State Registration on board
Hull Identification Number (HIN) plate legible
Federal documentation (if applicable) present
Captain’s license or state boating card valid
List any paperwork expiring within 30 days
Wearable Type-I/II/III life jackets in good condition
Count total serviceable PFDs
Throwable Type-IV device on deck and accessible
Flares / visual distress signals in-date (pcs)
Day/night signals stored in dry container
Electric distress light operational
Upload photo of flare expiry dates
Type B-I/II extinguishers charged (count)
Extinguisher mounting brackets secure
Fixed engine-room system inspection tag current
Note extinguishers needing service
Navigation lights tested (all colors correct)
VHF radio power-on check with radio check channel
GPS / chart-plotter acquiring satellites
AIS transmitting (if installed)
Upload screenshot of electronic chart display
Count spare fuses in nav-panel kit
Engine-oil level within range
Cooling-water intake strainers clear
Fuel lines free of cracks, dated < 5 yrs
Bilge pump auto-float switch cycles correctly
Fuel tank vent screens unobstructed
Describe any fluid leaks observed
Deck clear of trip hazards and loose gear
Railings and lifelines secure
Scupper / drain holes unobstructed
Hull free of obvious cracks or blisters
Upload wide-angle photo of deck condition
Safety briefing delivered (PFD use, muster, VHF call)
Count total persons aboard today
Note special-needs passengers or pets
Weather and sea state checked
Float plan filed with marina or contact
Time of departure logged (24-hr)
Additional remarks for next inspection



