When is it recommended to file a safety float plan?

Filing a safety float plan before going out on the water, especially for longer trips, is crucial for ensuring your safety and the safety of others. A float plan generally includes details such as the departure time, expected return time, destination, and the number of people on board. Sharing this information with a reliable individual can provide essential data for rescue operations if something goes wrong.

By preparing and filing a float plan before embarking on your journey, you enable swift action to be taken if you do not return as planned. This proactive approach is especially important for longer trips, where the risk of emergencies may be higher and rescue operations could take longer to initiate without prior knowledge of your whereabouts.

While filing a float plan may be useful in hazardous weather or in unfamiliar waters, it is best to have it established prior to any trip, not just when conditions seem unfavorable. Similarly, completing a float plan after returning does not aid in a timely response should an emergency arise during the trip. Thus, preparing a float plan in advance establishes a safety net for any maritime excursion.