Boat care & safety videos
A curated library of boat care and safety videos and written guides, organized by the jobs every boat owner faces: dock maintenance, routine maintenance, taking a boat out for the season, closing a boat out for the season, and emergency services on the water.
Section 01
Boating & Dock Maintenance
Keep the boat and the dock it lives on in working order. These resources cover routine upkeep, safety equipment, and what a proper vessel safety check looks like.
U.S. Coast Guard Boating Safety Division video library
The official USCG collection of boating safety videos, including propeller injury prevention, rental boat safety, and negligent operation prevention.
Video: US Coast Guard Boat Safety Check
A public YouTube video (2022) that follows USCG Auxiliary members through real vessel safety checks, showing the required safety equipment.
Written guide: routine dock maintenance
A companion article covering weekly inspection, monthly cleaning, and hardware checks as a reference for dock upkeep.
Section 02
Boating Maintenance Recommendations
The basics of keeping a boat running and safe, straight from the U.S. Coast Guard and experienced boaters.
Video: Essential Boating Safety Tips from the U.S. Coast Guard
A public YouTube video with USCG and Auxiliary officers on the safety priorities to handle before heading out.
Video: Boating Safety with the U.S. Coast Guard
A public YouTube video covering boating safety tips with the U.S. Coast Guard.
Written companion: BoatUS winterization expert advice
BoatUS expert-advice hub with time-tested winterization advice and tips.
Section 03
Taking a Boat Out for the Season
Spring commissioning is about more than just launching. These resources cover de-winterizing and the checks that make the first trip out a safe one.
Written guide: How To Winterize & De-Winterize Your Boat
Covers both preparing for the off-season and recommissioning, including why water left in systems causes damage.
BoatUS expert-advice hub
The same BoatUS winterization hub above also covers the seasonal checks to run before the season starts.
Before the season starts, check the engine, battery, trailer and brakes if trailered, safety equipment, and dock and lift hardware, and consider a free U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary or America’s Boating Club vessel safety check.
Section 04
Closing a Boat Out for the Season
Winterizing and storing a boat properly protects it through the off-season. These videos and guides walk through the steps.
Video: 7 Steps to Protect Your Boat During the Off-Season (Winterization)
A public YouTube video (2020) walking through seven steps to protect a boat during the off-season.
Video: Boat Winterization 101
A public YouTube video (2025) covering the fundamentals of winterizing a boat.
Written companions: BoatUS and boat-alert.com
The BoatUS winterization hub and the boat-alert.com winterize and de-winterize guide (both linked above) give the written step-by-step detail.
Section 05
Emergency Services for Boats
When a boat breaks down or runs into trouble on the water, on-water assistance providers are the people to call. These are the official resources.
Sea Tow
Nationwide on-water towing and assistance provider, founded 1983, with 24/7 priority towing, fuel delivery, jump starts, and salvage. Members get priority dispatch.
Sea Tow official YouTube channel
Sea Tow’s official channel covering on-water assistance coverage and education.
BoatUS Towing membership
On-water towing coverage through a network of locally owned licensees. BoatUS publishes a national dispatch number of 800-391-4869 in its FAQ.
Sea Tow: What to Do If Your Boat Breaks Down Far From Home
Sea Tow’s article with practical steps for handling an on-water breakdown.
A quick reminder
Emergency basics
On the water, marine emergencies go to VHF channel 16 or a distress call. On-water assistance providers like Sea Tow and BoatUS handle non-emergency breakdowns, towing, fuel, jump starts, and salvage.
Conditions and services change, so owners should verify current coverage and costs directly with the provider before heading out.