Boat Safety: A Float Plan lets search and rescue teams know your itinerary if you go missing while on the water.
A Coast Guard Float Plan can be found by clicking here: Coast Guard Float Plan. The float plan shows when you left, when you planned on returning, who was on the boat, the navigation you were going to take, what portions of a lake you would be on, etc.
You may recall a few years ago some NFL players died while out fishing on the ocean. One of the main issues was that there was no Float Plan in place to let people on shore know where they were and what their plans were and when they were expected to return. As a result, there was a delay in contacting the authorities and the search and rescue operation was very late in starting.
If you are going out on a boat, particularly in open water, it is very important that you leave a Float Plan with a family member or friend and that you check in with that person when you return. Doing so will give Search and Rescue teams a fighting chance at finding you if the worst case scenario happens.
At A. Bishop Law, our Georgia boat lawyers welcome any questions about boating safety and boating law. If you, a family member or friend is facing a criminal boating charge or boating accident, please Call or Email us about any questions you may have about Georgia Boating law safety violations. Your initial consultation is free and confidential.
About the author: Anne Bishop is a Georgia Lawyer with A. Bishop Law in Gainesville, Georgia and handles various legal matters arising on the lakes of Georgia, including Boating Under the Influence Criminal Defense and Boating Injuries, as well as DUI / DWI, BUI, Accident & Injury and other Georgia Criminal Defense matters. The law office of A. Bishop Law can assist clients through out Georgia including: Lake Lanier, Lake Hartwell, Hall County (Gainesville, Oakwood, Flowery Branch), Jackson County (Jefferson, Braselton) White County (Helen, Cleveland), Lumpkin County (Dahlonega), Dawson County (Dawsonville), Habersham County (Demorest, Cornelia), and all of Northeast Georgia.
This article and video should not be considered nor relied upon as legal advice since it is only intended for general overview and informational purposes. Please consult with an attorney on your specific situation in order to determine an appropriate legal course of action.