Whether you've passed a boater safety course (or not), staying safe on the water is crucial. In their 2023 report, the U.S. Coast Guard reported 4,040 boating incidents in 2022. These accidents resulted in 636 deaths, 2,222 injuries, and about $63 million in property damage that year.

In many areas, boating is not a year-round activity. Whether you live or boat in Texas or further north when the temperatures drop and it’s too cold (or icy) to be out on the water, winterizing a boat at the end of the boating season…

If you are in a boating accident, you must file a report with local law enforcement. This is required under federal law; not filing a report can result in fines and possibly jail time. Examples of when you’ll need to file an accident report include…