The dos and donts of night boating:
Dockshare’s tips to keep the captain and crew safe at night
Night Boating Safety Tips. When summer is in full swing and longer days are upon us, it’s easy for daytime adventures to stretch into evening—and even turn into night boating! Cruising after dark can be an incredible experience, but it also requires extra care and attention. Here are some key guidelines to help you safely navigate the water with your crew at night:
DOS
1. Pack Accordingly
Always ensure you have enough safety gear on board to handle any unexpected situations, whether you’re out during the day or at night. Essentials include life jackets, flares, and a sound-producing device like a horn or whistle. As the sun sets, temperatures on the water can drop quickly, so be prepared with extra layers and blankets to keep everyone warm and comfortable. Night Boating Safety Tips
2. Reduce your speed and stay alert
The safest way to avoid danger while boating at night is to reduce your speed. With limited visibility after dark, it’s essential that your pace matches the conditions. Staying alert is just as important—keep a sharp eye out for navigation lights and be aware of other boats and watercraft in the area.
3. Assign an extra lookout
While the captain’s main focus is on safely operating the boat, it’s helpful to have extra eyes on deck. Sharing the lookout responsibilities with others onboard can make a big difference—especially since things like crab pots or floating debris can be hard to spot at night. Stay alert and keep those eyes sharp!
4. Pay attention to the lights
Keep your cabin lights as dim as possible while boating at night. Dim lighting helps preserve your night vision, allowing your eyes to better adjust and detect what’s around you in the dark. Bright lights can disrupt this adjustment, making it harder to see beyond the boat.
Also, be mindful of navigation lights—both your own and others’. When entering a harbor, follow the classic rule: Red, Right, Returning. This means keeping red markers to your starboard (right) side as you head back in, ensuring you stay within a safe channel. Night Boating Safety Tips
5. Use and trust your tools
Chartplotters, GPS, and radar can be your eyes on the water at dark. While none of these systems are perfect, when used together, they are extremely helpful for getting you home safely when night boating.
DONTS
1. Point spotlights
Spotlights can be useful for seeing directly into the water or for portable use, but they need to be used responsibly. Bright lights pointed directly outwards can be distracting, blinding, and dangerous for others.
2. Drive under the influence
This rule is set for all times of the day. Furthermore, diminished vision at night only becomes increasingly worse with each drink. Drink responsibly, determine a designated captain, and make sure to establish a safe plan before boating to ensure everyone gets home safely.
3. Rely on recognizable landmarks
Many people use the coastline to find their way home during the day. Evening hours are different. With night skies, be sure to use your GPS to navigate in dark waters. Night Boating Safety Tips
4. Night boat in unfamiliar waters
For your first time nightboating (or your first time boating in a new area), try not to make it a nighttime excursion. It is much easier to get lost in places you haven’t boated before. Get to know the area in daylight before making a trip at night.
5. Assume the best
Positive thinking is a powerful thing, but safety is the most important! Assuming that everything will be fine can cause the driver to be careless and increases the chances of an accident. Assume that the water is dangerous at night and boat accordingly to get your crew home safe.
Night boating can be an amazing experience—if done safely! But if you ever feel unsure about making the trip back after dark, don’t push it. Instead, find a safe place to dock and stay put. Night Boating Safety Tips
To make the most of your time on the water—day or night—always have a plan, plus a backup. Following our night boating Dos and Don’ts will help keep your crew safe and your adventure on track. Stay safe, and enjoy every moment on the water!