Personal Watercraft Insurance, Who Keeps the Float Plan?
Leave your float plan with someone reliable and reachable. Suggestions include one of the following:
• Marina
• Yacht Club
• Friend
• Family member
When you leave the float plan, instruct the person holding it to let the Coast Guard or other search and rescue agency know if you have not returned within a reasonable time after your expected return. This way, the appropriate authorities will know to look for you and every minute is valuable in a life-threatening emergency situation. Do not try to give your float plan to the Coast Guard because they will not accept them.
Keep in Touch
Sometimes plans change or the weather conditions force you to modify your boat trip plans. If circumstances or personal preferences change your float plan route or destination(s), let your contact person know as soon as possible. This will ensure that your float plan is accurate and your contact person is not left unnecessarily worrying. It also guards against involving search and rescue forces unnecessarily.
Now that you understand what a float plan is and how it works, make an effort to create and file one in preparation for your boating trips. Try taking the time to properly fill out a detail float plan with your boat details once and then just update it for each trip and leave it with a responsible person. This simple process will serve as insurance, just in case you find yourself in trouble.
