Boat Equipment Check List

Make sure you and your boat are safe and legit for boating season.
 
When the summer kick-off Memorial Day holiday weekend gets underway, you will notice even more Alabama Marine Patrol presence to equal the influx of additional boaters on Alabama waterways, important when considering that over a million registered boaters enjoy waterways throughout Alabama yearly.  Here on Lewis Smith Lake, we have marine patrol presence year round, but the fleet’s efforts towards routine patrol grow understandably during the peak boating season in summer months.

---

Alabama Marine Patrol, Photo File: Birmingham News

We believe it is always best to get information direct from a proper legal source about how to prepare yourself and your boat for a busy lake season.  ​Therefore, please visit the website for the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency – Alabama Marine Patrol Division:  https://www.alea.gov/dps/marine-patrol (also listed in our quick links on our website’s home page).  You will find a wealth of additional vital information on the site to help you and your boat operate safely and securely this season.

Below we offer some basic boating equipment preparation advice, along with the recommended boating equipment items you should check annually (as outlined in the ALEA checklist – so first, please check their official “Boat Equipment Checklist for Alabama” here: https://www.alea.gov/dps/marine-patrol/boat-equipment-checklist-alabama):  ​​

Photo: thepatchmancollection.com

• Towing Service - Get an annual membership with a legitimate and experienced towing service.  Contact our local TowBoatUS Captain, Terry Russeau, at 256-385-1966 to get signed up as soon as possible.  This service has been invaluable to us in the past, and you will find that it will give you secure peace of mind throughout the year.​​

TowBoatUS–Smith Lake, Photography: Scott Eric Day

• Operator License - Make sure everyone who might possibly captain the boat has proper boater education and a legal Alabama boat operator license onboard at all times.  We also keep our registration documents and manufacturer booklets in a waterproof sealed bag stored in the boat.
  • Check out these sites for licensing education and information for testing:
    • Alabama Law Enforcement Department - Online Course
    • Alabama Department of Education - Boating Licensing
• Driver instruction - Just as important, and really it goes without saying, make sure that any new drivers in your crew have proper instruction driving on the lake with an experienced captain offering full assistance and a constant watchful eye.  Obviously, this is best done at a time when boat traffic is low, like on a weekday in a remote area of the lake.  Plan to work with your crew explaining everything about the boat, allow them adequate turns driving the boat and learning every scenario.
• Registration - The boat’s certificate of number must be easily accessible on board.

Photo: boat-ed.com

• ​Boat Decal - Validation decals must be properly displayed, highly visible, and easily identifiable from both sides of the boat for marine patrol.  If you are not sure where or how to apply these, contact ALEA prior to launching your boat to be sure you have mounted these properly (see diagram).
• Trailer - Check out your boat trailer carefully.  If you will be hauling your boat to several locations/launches, you need to check tires, spare tires, electrical connections, lighting, winches, jacks, trailer guides, carpeting and anything else on your trailer that assists in creating carefree safe travel and launching.  
• Pulling and launching a boat - If there are new drivers in your crew, take them out during the week to teach them how to drive with a trailer in tow, and how to back in and pull out a trailer.  Teach launching at a time (like during the week or early morning hours) and place where there is low traffic for the safety and comfort of everyone.  Move or end your training session if you begin to see traffic around you back up.  Learning to back in a boat trailer quickly and safely is vital to being a good boat owner because nothing is worse on a busy summer holiday weekend than a traffic jam at a boat launch.  You are expected to know the rhythm and get out of the way if you are hindering it.

---

Photo: Sharkys Mobile Detailing

• Detail your vessel - Clean, detail, and organize your boat.  This is imperative, because in case of emergency, you do not want to be scrambling for safety equipment or tripping over items that are not in their proper place. This also allows you to see if there are issues developing on the boat (i.e. cracked interior upholstery, damaged trim on the boat exterior or interior entry areas, gelcoat fractures around towers or other mounts that could cause weaknesses, leaks or hazards, etc.)  We highly recommend Sharkys Mobile Detailing - Winner of the BEST OF SMITH LAKE 2020 contest.  Call Scott Marbut @ 205-746-4073.  After detailing, put everything in its proper place and take some time to educate your passengers where all safety equipment is located on the boat so anyone can help quickly in an emergency.  

• Boat and Tower Accessories – (i.e. audio equipment, LED lighting, boat racks, light bars, upgraded marine flooring, etc.)  Make sure these are proper for your boat, using manufacturer approved products and hardware, and make sure that all accessories are securely attached and operating correctly.  Realize that some audio and other digital equipment when used or installed incorrectly can cause very serious electrical and computer issues on new boat digital and electrical systems, so using a local professional is vital - you need someone to call if something needs adjusting.  We recommend professional marine design/build/install by MasterPro Audio based in Cullman, AL, who is also mobile and can come to your dock if needed, and available for phone assistance 24/7 – Call Scott Hanna @ 205-470-8250.  

MasterPro Audio, Logo

Ronix Covert CGA Vest, Photo: Lakeside Gear

• PFDs (Personal Flotation Devices) – There must be a proper USCG/CGA approved device for every rider in the boat, and children under 8 must wear their device at all times, while the boat is underway, floating, or anchored.  There must also be at least one type IV throwable device on board as well.  Make sure all your PFDs are in good useable condition (i.e. not damaged, torn, dry-rotted, etc.).  Buy your life vests locally - try Lakeside Gear in Cullman, AL for all your watersports gear - call 205-470-8250 or 256-708-7679.  This Alabama based company can order most anything you need for boating and watersports delivered right to your doorstep - shop local, support local.  Also visit other local sporting goods shops like Russell Marine-Smith Lake, and Pat's Archery & Outdoors.
• Ropes - Make sure you have mooring and towing ropes in excellent condition and that you’ve learned, along with your crew, the best types of ties and knots to safely dock a boat in quick situations and for longer term parking or storage applications.
• Lights – make sure your navigation lights are in excellent working condition because they must be used properly according to requirements from “sunset to sunrise” as defined by ALEA while the boat is underway, floating or anchored.  

---

SAMPLE Marine Fire Extinguisher, Manufacturer: Kidde, Photo: walmart.com

• Engine check – make sure your engine has been maintained properly prior to launching and is in perfect operational condition.  This means checking all connections to be sure there are no leaks of any kind that could cause hazard.  This is a great time to check hoses, belts, impellars, etc.  Also check the condition of your batteries, connections, and electrical system throughout the boat.  Hopefully you have had professional maintenance or you are in close contact with your boat manufacturer and local dealer for any questions well ahead of the season.
• Ventilation System/Blowers – These functions need to be in ideal working order at all times. 
• Muffler – This is self-explanatory and should be basic operating equipment for all newer boats.  This helps keep the vessel engine noise at bay.  If you have questions, please discuss with your boat manufacturer.

• Fire Extinguishers – these must be appropriate for your size vessel, in perfect operating condition and not past their expiration date.  See the ALEA link above for more detailed information
• Backfire Trap - USCG approved flame arrestor (aka backfire trap).  ALEA explains this in their link, but if you are unsure about your vessel’s compliance, please contact your local dealer or the manufacturer so you can check that this is satisfactory and standard equipment on your boat, and how to handle the issue if needed.

---

Illustration of a marine vessel "emergency shut-off switch", Photo: boat-ed.com

• ​Emergency shut-off switch - This is standard equipment on most vessels that operate on Smith Lake and often is a bright red or orange switch with a lanyard-type extension that connects from the boat switch point to the driver while a vessel is under operation.  How does it work?  If the "key" in the switch pulls out (in the case of a driver being thrown or ejected from the cockpit area in a crash situation), the elimination of the key from the switch causes all power to the boat to be shut off immediately.  This is an important safety feature.  This device should be checked yearly to be sure there are no cracks or disconnections in the switch, weaknesses or breaks in the lanyard device or connection clip.  The connection must be engaged and operational at all times while underway or while the boat is on.  (see illustration)
• Sound Device – this is described as a horn, whistle or bell.  Boaters should know that visibility can be affected greatly at night, or in inclement weather, fog, etc.  Therefore, you must keep a sound device on board.  We keep both a whistle and an air horn in a waterproof packet in our glove box at all times.  Check each season to make sure they are in perfect working order.

• Visual Distress Signals (VDSs).  Please refer to the ALEA link above on this for particulars.  Personally, we carry non-pyrotechnic devices:  Usually several orange smoke signals for day use (3 are recommended) and a highly visible electric light for signaling at night (1 recommended), and we additionally carry a bright flashlight and a white flag – all are for signaling distress at different times of the day.  Most recreation boats that operate on very large inland lakes should have VDSs for peace of mind, and non-pyrotechnic is our favorite.  Consider having a) 3 hand-held red flares (day & night), or b) 3 orange smoke signals (day) and 1 electric light (night).

• Never leave a boater stranded - Last but not least, always safely stop to assist a boater in distress.  Even if you do not have the equipment or experience to help, you may be able to assist them by helping to make a phone call if their cell phone is dead.  This is kind of a known “rule of the water.”  There is a saying we like as members of an ocean sailing family – “A sailor in need requires a good deed, so throw a rope and give him some hope." (just make sure your rope is proper for towing their weight).  On Smith Lake, we all consider it an honor to help a fellow boater any way we can safely, of course, plus folks around here often don't ask for anything in return except that you “pay it forward.”  It’s always nice to offer a few dollars for gas after a really long haul, or grab your helper a meal if the marina is open, but most boaters will require nothing more than a sincere and thoughtful “Thank you.”  Boating ettiquete at its best.​

CLICK PICK for link to "Top 12 Towing Tips", Photo: southern boating.com

We hope the checklist above helps you get ahead and geared up for a great boating season.  A little work on the frontend of the season saves endless needless headaches, stress or worst yet, unnecessary and unwanted citations.  Again, be sure to follow the instructions from the ALEA website first and foremost, and use our suggestions only as additional advice.  Here’s the link again:  Alabama Law Enforcement Agency – Alabama Marine Patrol Division:  https://www.alea.gov/dps/marine-patrol
 
P.S.  Did you know that …”the U. S. Coast Guard Auxiliary will perform a Courtesy Marine Examination (CME) of your boat and equipment free of charge. This inspection covers federal and state requirements. If your boat meets all CME requirements, you will receive a CME decal. If your boat fails to meet all requirements, no report is made to any law enforcement agency.”  - ALEA.  It’s worth a call to ALEA to see if an inspection can be done in your area. 
 
Other Links that you should check:

• Boating Rules & Regulations from Alabama Law Enforcement Agency: https://www.alea.gov/dps/marine-patrol/boating-rules-and-regulations
• Safe Boating – Wear Your Life Jacket:  https://www.alea.gov/dps/marine-patrol/safe-boating

 
Be sure to check our other lists on our blog and through our magazine - samples below.  (these will soon be linked for ease of navigation...)

• Boater’s Bag Check List
• Boat Tote Check List
• Friendly Boating Advice (from a previous magazine issue)
• No Alcohol while boating on Smith Lake (from a previous magazine issue)
• Boating on Smith Lake – recommended DO NOTs (from a previous magazine issue)

Contact, message, or comment if you'd like us to add anything specific to the list or if we need to revise or repair a broken link.  We'll be updating the list annually (last update:  4/15/21).  Thank you!