Boating Safety

Avoid Common Boating Mistakes with Expert Tips from Sea Tow Captains

COURTESY OF Sea Tow® 

Boating season is in full swing, and Sea Tow® – Your Road Service at Sea® – is here to help you make the most of it safely. With locations across the U.S., including Alaska and Puerto Rico, Sea Tow has seen nearly every type of on-water mishap—and many are completely avoidable with the right knowledge.

Sea Tow provides a wide range of services, with the top five being:

  • Towing (52%)
  • Scheduled dock-to-dock tows (11%)
  • Covered ungroundings (10%)
  • Jump starts (7%)
  • Fuel, oil, or parts delivery (7%)

From dead batteries to grounding incidents, Sea Tow Captains encounter issues every day that could have been prevented with a few smart precautions. To help boaters stay safe this season, experienced Captains from around the country have shared their most valuable tips.

check engine symbol

Pre-Departure Essentials and Engine Checks

Captain Nik Foster of Sea Tow Daytona/Ponce/New Smyrna:

  • Ensure throttle is in neutral if the boat won’t start. It’s often accidentally knocked into gear when anchored.
  • Check battery charge and terminal connections, especially if the boat has been sitting for a while. Corrosion or loose cables are common culprits for no-start conditions.

Communication and Planning on the Water

Captain John Bilski of Sea Tow Southern Connecticut:

  • Use a VHF radio with at least a 6–8 ft. antenna. Use Channel 16 for emergencies and Channel 9 for general hailing.
  • File a float plan with a trusted friend or family member including departure time, destination, and expected return. It could save crucial time in an emergency.

Stay Alert and Prepared at Sea

Captain Ryan Saporito of Sea Tow Wrightsville Beach:

  • Stay weather aware and watch for signs like dark clouds, lightning, or sudden wind shifts. Use a weather app with alerts.
  • Know how to properly use an anchor to stay in place during mechanical trouble.
  • Always use the engine cut-off switch on boats under 26 feet. It's a life-saving safety feature that’s required by federal law.

Maintenance and Peace of Mind

Captain Ramsey Chason of Sea Tow Rhode Island and Sea Tow Cape and Islands:

  • Have comprehensive boat insurance to protect against liability and major losses.
  • Stabilize fuel for off-season storage and use water separators to avoid engine issues.
  • Join Sea Tow for reliable assistance, covering all boats owned, rented, or chartered, plus peace of mind on every trip.

“Sea Tow is standing by to help with these common issues that boaters face,” said Sea Tow President Kristen Frohnhoefer.“As the boating season kicks into high gear, know that Captains are a resource for local knowledge. Whether that’s navigation and referrals, anchorage locations, troubleshooting, or tides and weather, Sea Tow Captains are pleased to provide tips to help prevent the common mistakes we see out on the water."

Sea Tow: Trusted Since 1983

Celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2023, Sea Tow remains the premier provider of on-water assistance. With a franchise-based model and a commitment to innovation, the company also offers services such as salvage and recovery, catastrophe response, and marine spill support.

For just $249/year (Gold Card) or $169/year (Lake Card), members receive free towing, fuel delivery, jump starts, and much more—coverage that follows the member, not just the boat.

Learn more or become a member today at seatow.com.