381K views · 185 reactions | Get ready to take the helm. Our all-new Boating Basics video series will walk you through the essentials of operating a boat and key guidelines for navigating waterways. The first videos just dropped! Find them here: https://bit.ly/3KAOMy8 #GoBoldly #BoatingBasics | Mercury Marine | Facebook

Boaters: Before the first launch of the season, make sure to inspect your watercraft and gear. Here are the top five items to check for: 1. U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets for each person onboard. Reminder: children under 10 must wear a life jacket while underway. 2. A throwable flotation device on boats 16 feet and longer. 3. A horn or whistle. 4. Type B, U.S. Coast Guard-approved fire extinguisher. 5. Navigation lights are in working order. Find the full list at mndnr.gov/boatingsafety