Coastal Cruising Safety Checklist: Before You Leave the Dock

The most dangerous moment of any coastal cruise is the one you least expect — not the squall you saw building on radar, but the thing you forgot to check before you left the dock. A pre-departure safety checklist is the single habit that separates sailors who have incidents from sailors who don’t. This is ours.

This checklist covers everything you should verify before casting off for a coastal passage — from safety equipment and navigation systems to engine checks and float plans. Bookmark it, print it, or save it to your phone. Use it every time.

Safety Equipment Checklist

Life Jackets / PFDs

• ☐ One USCG-approved PFD for every person aboard, correct size
• ☐ All PFDs accessible — not buried in a locker
• ☐ Inflatable PFDs: bladder intact, CO2 cylinder present and not punctured, armed indicator green
• ☐ Foam PFDs: no mildew, tears, or waterlogged foam
• ☐ At least one Type IV throwable device (ring buoy or cushion) immediately accessible

→ See our Best Life Jacket for Sailing guide and Life Jacket Inspection guide for full inspection detail.

Visual Distress Signals (Flares)

• ☐ USCG-approved pyrotechnic signals — correct count for your vessel length
• ☐ All flares within their 42-month expiration window
• ☐ Flares stored in a waterproof container, accessible from the cockpit
• ☐ Optional: electronic SOS distress light as backup

→ See our Flares vs. Lightsticks guide and Flare Maintenance Schedule.

Fire Extinguishers

• ☐ Correct number of USCG-approved extinguishers for vessel length
• ☐ Pressure gauge needles in the green zone
• ☐ Pull pins intact, tamper seals unbroken
• ☐ Within service life — no expired units
• ☐ Mounted in accessible locations (helm, galley, companionway)

→ See our Fire Extinguisher for Boats guide.

Distress Signaling Devices

• ☐ EPIRB: armed (not in “ship” mode), battery within service life, registration current with NOAA
• ☐ PLB (if carried): charged, registered
• ☐ VHF radio: powered on, programmed to Channel 16, DSC MMSI registered

→ See our Best EPIRB guide and Best VHF Radio guide.

Throwable Devices

• ☐ Type IV throwable device in the cockpit or within immediate reach of the helm
• ☐ Not buried under gear — must be instantly deployable

→ See our Throwable Devices guide.

First Aid Kit

• ☐ First aid kit aboard and accessible
• ☐ No expired medications
• ☐ Seasickness medication available if needed

→ See our First Aid Kit for Boats guide.

Navigation and Electronics Checklist

Chartplotter / Navigation

• ☐ Chartplotter powered on and acquiring GPS fix
• ☐ Charts up to date for the cruising area
• ☐ Route loaded or waypoints entered for today’s passage
• ☐ Paper chart or backup navigation available
• ☐ Tides and current checked for departure time and destination

VHF Radio

• ☐ VHF radio on and monitoring Channel 16
• ☐ DSC function enabled, MMSI programmed
• ☐ Weather forecast checked on NOAA WX channels
• ☐ Handheld VHF backup charged and aboard

→ See our How to Program a Marine VHF Radio guide.

Depth Sounder and Instruments

• ☐ Depth sounder operating (critical for coastal cruising in shoal waters)
• ☐ Wind instruments functioning if sailing
• ☐ AIS receiver or transponder active

Engine and Mechanical Checklist

Engine

• ☐ Engine oil level checked
• ☐ Coolant level checked
• ☐ Raw water strainer clear
• ☐ Belts visually inspected — no cracking or fraying
• ☐ Engine started and warmed up at dock before departure
• ☐ Impeller replaced within the last season (or known hours)

Fuel

• ☐ Fuel level verified — enough for the passage plus reserve (rule of thirds: 1/3 out, 1/3 back, 1/3 reserve)
• ☐ Fuel shut-off valve open
• ☐ No fuel odor in bilge or engine compartment

Gasoline Vessels (Additional)

• ☐ Bilge blower run for minimum 4 minutes before starting engine
• ☐ No fuel odor after blowing — if there is, do not start engine

Bilge

• ☐ Bilge pump operational (automatic and manual)
• ☐ Bilge dry or at expected level
• ☐ No unusual water accumulation

Rigging and Deck (Sailboats)

• ☐ Standing rigging visually checked — no broken strands at swage fittings or turnbuckles
• ☐ Running rigging led correctly, no chafe points on spreader ends
• ☐ Sails in good condition — no tears or separated seams visible
• ☐ Boom secured if not sailing — preventer or topping lift set
• ☐ Anchor ready for quick deployment (not buried in the anchor locker under other gear)
• ☐ Hatches and portlights dogged or closed if weather is building

→ See our Anchoring 101 guide for anchor system setup.

Float Plan and Communication

• ☐ Float plan filed with a shore contact — includes: vessel name, description, departure point, destination, route, expected arrival time, number of crew, emergency contact info
• ☐ Shore contact knows what to do if you don’t check in (call USCG after a defined window)
• ☐ Cell phone charged and in a waterproof case
• ☐ Emergency contacts saved in phone and written on paper aboard

Crew Briefing

• ☐ All crew know where the PFDs are
• ☐ All crew know where the flares are and how to use them
• ☐ All crew know the location of the EPIRB and how to activate it
• ☐ Man-overboard procedure reviewed with crew
• ☐ All crew know where the fire extinguishers are
• ☐ Seasick crew members identified — station them in the cockpit, on watch, looking at the horizon

Weather and Conditions

• ☐ Marine forecast checked for the passage window (VHF WX, NOAA website, or marine weather app)
• ☐ Wind direction and speed are appropriate for the passage plan
• ☐ No small craft advisories, gale warnings, or offshore warnings active in your area
• ☐ Bar conditions checked if crossing an inlet bar
• ☐ Afternoon sea breeze or thunderstorm risk considered if departing in the morning

Provisioning

• ☐ Water: adequate for the passage plus reserve
• ☐ Food: meals and snacks for the passage duration
• ☐ Drinks and water for crew underway
• ☐ Seasickness bags (if relevant crew) in accessible location

→ See our Coastal Cruising Provisioning guide for extended passages.

Final Departure Check

• ☐ Shore power disconnected and cord stowed
• ☐ Dock lines doubled-checked before releasing
• ☐ Fenders aboard and stowed (not deployed for passage)
• ☐ All gear stowed and secured for motion — nothing will roll, slide, or fall in a seaway
• ☐ Companionway boards within reach if weather deteriorates
• ☐ VHF on Channel 16
• ☐ Everyone briefed, everyone ready

Safety Equipment Guides Referenced in This Checklist

This checklist links to our full guides for each equipment category. If any item on this list is unfamiliar or you’re unsure whether your equipment meets current USCG requirements, start with these:

• Coast Guard Required Safety Equipment: The Complete Guide
• Best EPIRB for Coastal Cruising in 2026
• Best VHF Radio for Coastal Cruising in 2026
• Best Life Jacket for Sailing and Coastal Cruising
• Fire Extinguisher for Boats: USCG Requirements and Best Options
• Flares vs. Lightsticks: What Actually Works in an Emergency
• First Aid Kit for Boats: Our Top Picks
• Anchoring 101: Choosing the Right Anchor
• Best Chartplotter for Coastal Cruising: Our Top Picks
• Provisioning for a Week-Long Coastal Cruise: What to Bring