Emergency drills can be serious fun and save lives.

When did you last conduct an emergency drill on your boat? It’s more than just showing the people aboard where the lifejackets and fire extinguishers are. Commercial vessels in American waters are required by the U.S. Coast Guard to conduct regular emergency drills for man overboard, fire, and abandon ship situations. Pleasure craft operators should follow this practice, even though it’s not required by law. If there are children aboard, include them in the drills, according to their abilities. See emergency drill, pp.156-157 in the Mariner’s Guide, for ideas and suggestions.