While on board you should always strive to have three points of contact with the boat. This means, you should have both feet planted and holding on with at least one hand. Or, if you are moving about, hold on with both hands to something firm like a grab rail or stanchion and take one step at a time.
If seated, have your feet touching the floor, or holding on with both hands. Having three points of contact assures that your body is positioned in such a way that the majority of your body is in contact with the boat, and you won’t be set off-balance easily. Additionally, avoid standing and sudden movements whenever operating your boat and plan ahead to avoid unsafe operating and environmental conditions like bad weather or rough water. This goes for your passengers too.
If your boat is operated while standing, such as a center console, assure solid footing and brace yourself if it has a leaning post or bolster chair. Always wear your engine cut-off lanyard so that the engine stops if you go overboard. Crew-overboard (COB) victims face a number of dangers, including panic, injury during the fall, and hypothermia. For those aboard the boat, quick thinking and coordinated action are essential to an effective rescue.
