+ Wear life jackets- you must carry at least one, U.S. Coast Guard approved, wearable life jacket or personal flotation device for every person on board

+ Carry un-expired flares, fire extinguishers and a horn

+ Never drink alcohol

+Take a safe boating course and be familiar with local boating rules

+ Use ship-to-shore communication.

Additional tips include these:

+ If you lose power or steering, throw an anchor. Even if in deepwater, an anchor will reduce drift from wind and stabilize boat and radio the U.S. Coast Guard

+ Be sure to wear a life jacket if performing a water rescue

+ Avoid commercial fishing nets by watching out for red or orange flag markers or buoys, giving a wide berth to nets, and not passing between a trap net buoy

+ If stuck in a net, use caution- shut off boat engine, radio the U.S. Coast Guard and do not enter the water + If forced into cold water, use survival techniques such as treading water and keep head above water as much as possible.

By following these safety precautions, over one million registered boaters in Michigan and millions of others around the country can avoid the dangers that boating accidents can cause.