Perform the following if your craft has been involved in a collision:

Step 1) Ensure that everyone is wearing a life jacket or PFD.

Step 2) Visually and/or verbally confirm that all passengers are present and accounted for.

Step 3) Determine if there are other craft in the vicinity that may offer assistance.

Step 4) Determine if there is any danger of being hit by another boat.

Step 5) Inspect the hull and equipment for any damage–check for rising or accumulating water in the hull.

Step 6) If necessary, signal your need for assistance.

Take the following actions if you have been involved in a collision:

• stop and identify yourself, your vessel, your home port, and your ports of origin and destination to the other craft
• assist the crew of the other vessel if it is safe to do so
• file an accident report with the local authorities if damage exceeds $1,000 has occurred, or the seaworthiness of either vessel has been compromised
• report the collision to the local law enforcement agency if serious injury or death has occurred

Perform the following if circumstances (such as an onboard fire) indicate that you and your passengers need to abandon ship:

Step 1) Ensure that you and your passengers are wearing a life jacket or PFD

Step 2) Signal your need for assistance with a radio, flare, horn or flashlight, if time permits

Step 3) Jump to the windward side of the boat (the boat will drift away from you)

Step 4) Swim well clear of the boat

Step 5) Visually and/or verbally confirm that all passengers are present and accounted for