How To

The First Thing to Do if Involved in a Boating Accident

In an emergency, many things need to be done, often at once.

By Capt. Chris Caswell

May 21, 2025

What is the first thing you should do following a collision with another boat? The author offers strategies to consider, so you can be better prepared if it ever happens to you. Courtesy US Coast Guard, District 7

The types of emergencies that can occur aboard boats are as numerous as the types of boats and types of boaters. Naturally, our boats should be properly equipped with life jackets for everyone, distress signals, a VHF radio and more. We should also gain knowledge of the waters we are cruising and check the weather before heading out. It’s also prudent to think through emergency scenarios so that should we ever face one, we are better prepared to deal with it. Here are six potential boating emergencies, and how to respond to them.

Collision

After a collision, immediately stop your engines and check for injuries aboard your boat. Make sure everyone is wearing a life jacket. Treat the injuries. Check for flooding, then activate bilge pumps, close seacocks, and stuff gear in holes to control leaks. Call for help. When safe, check on the other boat and its passengers. If possible, document the scene with pictures and video.

– WEAR A LIFE JACKET –
Everyone, even strong swimmers, needs to wear a life jacket at all times when on the water. It is extremely difficult to put a life jacket on once you fall into the water. Even a light wind can blow any paddlecraft away from you, faster than you can swim.
Safety Tip Provided by the U.S. Coast Guard

Fire can kill you four ways: burning, explosion, smoke inhalation, and it can sink your boat and drown you. Courtesy US Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Chuck Chavtur

Fire

Turn the boat so that the wind doesn’t fan the flames and blows the smoke away, preventing its spread and smoke inhalation. Make sure everyone is wearing a life jacket. Shut off the fuel if the tanks or engines are at risk. Call mayday on VHF Channel 16, DSC-VHF distress button, or 911 on a cellphone with service. Give your boat description, location, and number of passengers on board. Use a fire extinguisher to PASS: Pull pin; Aim at fire base; Squeeze handle; Sweep side-to-side. Never use water on gas, oil, grease or electrical fires. If you can safely throw the burning object, toss it overboard. If flames threaten the gas tank or propane cylinder, toss it over or abandon ship.

Boats can sink very quickly, which is why wearing your lifejacket is better than having it “ready.” Courtesy US Coast Guard Petty Officer 2nd Class Kyle Galan

Sinking

First, get life jackets on everyone. Make a distress call (VHF Channel 16, DSC-VHF distress button, or 911 on a cell phone if there is service). Find the leak and activate bilge pumps. Make temporary repairs, such as closing seacocks or jamming wet clothing into an opening. Head for the nearest shore to beach your boat. To abandon ship, gather what you need: lines to hold everyone together, your ditch bag, hats and jackets, water bottles, and a handheld VHF. Take distress signals. Stay near the sinking boat so that you can be spotted more easily by rescuers. Climb atop a swamped or capsized boat.

– ALWAYS USE YOUR ENGINE CUT-OFF LANYARD –
Make sure your Engine Cut-Off Switch lanyard is attached to your person whenever you’re underway. They’re now required on all open boats under 26 feet.
Safety Tip Provided by the U.S. Coast Guard

USCG personnel are trained in first aid, including CPR. As a boater, you should seek that training as well. In the US, contact the American Red Cross. Courtesy US Coast Guard PA1 Anastasia Devlin

Medical Emergency

Is it life-threatening or manageable? If serious, call mayday on VHF 16, use a DSC-VHF distress button, or call 911 on a cellphone with service. Stop bleeding with pressure or by raising a limb above heart level. Use a sterile dressing secured with bandages. If the victim is in shock, keep them warm and lying down with their feet raised.

Having DSC activated on your VHF allows making a mayday call with a one-button push, freeing you for other tasks in an emergency. Learn about DSC at boatingmag.com/how-to/making-dsc-fully-functional-vhf-radio. Courtesy Icom

– UPGRADE YOUR RADIO –
Digital Select Calling (DSC) allows you to transmit your precise location with the press of a button. Make sure your VHF radio has it, and don’t forget to get your MMSI number. It might just save your life.
Safety Tip Provided by the U.S. Coast Guard

Be alert for signs of changing weather and have a plan in place for what actions you might take if caught out in bad weather. Kevin Falvey

Sudden Storm Conditions

Don life jackets, then secure loose gear, close hatches/windows, and reduce speed while maintaining headway and steerage. Choose a safe shelter, and head there immediately. Turn on your nav lights. Have your crew sit close to the centerline, and on the sole, for safety and stability. With lightning strikes, have everyone stay low and away from metal. Remove metal jewelry, and lower the rods and outriggers.

Dams and spillways and waterfalls can all present deadly hazards. Courtesy Austin-Travis County EMS

Caught on Dam or Waterfall

Dams or spillways with dangerous currents can suck in boats, even against their engines. Stay with the boat, and get life jackets on everyone. Drop an anchor before you reach the dam to hold you in safe water for rescue. Make a distress call (VHF 16, DSC-VHF distress button, or 911 on cell). Keep everyone low to prevent tipping and swamping, and move them back from the edge to balance the boat. If you do go into the water and are swept over, tuck your chin, draw your knees up and wrap your arms around them tightly with wrists locked.