For anyone who owns a boat, there are ten rules which should always be kept in mind. There is also certain equipment which should always be carried aboard ship.

1. Check your boat thoroughly and never leave your mooring until you have done so.

2. Never over-load your boat and at all times be especially careful about non-swimmers and children.

3. Carry a life preserver for every person on board. Be sure they're worn when doing deck duty in rough weather.

4. Carry filled fire extinguishers.

5. Exercise extreme caution when filling fuel tanks - no smoking - turn off all fires and electric accessories - hold filling nozzle firmly against fill pipe (ground it) - wipe up spillage - thoroughly ventilate engine compartment and all enclosed spaces before restarting motors.

6. Observe carefully weather, wind, tide and current conditions before starting. Plan emergency harbors on long hops.

7. Keep to the right when meeting another boat and give the right-of-way to vessels approaching in your danger zone on the starboard (right) side.

8. Always be Courteous, Careful and Competent. Watch your wash! Slow down to 4 mph in harbors. Keep away from large vessels, which are not as maneuverable as smaller craft. Keep away from all sail boats - small ones may be swamped by the wash from a motor boat and large sailing yachts do not have the maneuverability of a motor boat.

9. Never make a turn at high speed. Small craft can easily be and have been swamped by their own wash.

10. Approach dock or mooring slowly against the wind or current,

Fish & Boat Commission, Coldwater Heritage Partnership Supporting Grassroots Work to Conserve PA?s Valuable Coldwater Streams, Trout Fisheries
A cooperative partnership that includes the Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) is helping local organizations protect and conserve Pennsylvania?s coldwater stream habitats ? waterways that are critical to the health of the state?s wild trout fisheries.
Public review of draft Susquehanna River Anadromous Fish Restoration Cooperative (SRAFRC) Migratory Fish Management and Restoration Plan for the Susquehanna River Basin
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) today announced that the Draft Migratory Fish Management and Restoration Plan for the Susquehanna River Basin is now available for public review and comment.
PA Fish & Boat Commission Plans Open House at Linesville State Fish Hatchery
The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission will hold their annual Open House at the Linesville State Fish Hatchery on Saturday, April 3, 2010 from 11am ? 3:30 p.m.
Fish & Boat Commission Names John Arway Executive Director
A 30-year veteran of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) has been chosen as the agency?s next executive director. During a special public meeting today, the Board of Commissioners selected John Arway to lead the Commission, one of the oldest and most effective conservation agencies in the nation.
Pennsylvania Announces Fisheries Position Regarding N.Y. City Reservoir Releases to Delaware River
The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) today announced the release of a fisheries recommendation for management of water released to Delaware River tributaries from New York City water supply reservoirs.
Fish & Boat Urges Action on Susquehanna River Troubles
Calling the Susquehanna River ?increasingly impaired,? the board of commissioners of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) today called on state and federal environmental agencies to expand efforts to determine the sources of pollution which are contributing to the demise of the river?s smallmouth bass fishery.
Fish & Boat Commission Names Acting Executive Director
The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) today named Brian Barner as the agency?s acting executive director, effective upon the retirement of Dr. Douglas Austen at the close of business today.
National Saltwater Angler Registry (attention shad, striped bass, and river herring anglers)
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission (PFBC) are reminding anglers that a new federal law requires anglers who target or catch shad, striped bass, and river herring from the Delaware River below Trenton Falls or in the Delaware Estuary to register with the National Saltwater Angler Registry.
Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission staff at Butler Fishing Show
Staff from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission will attend the Butler Fishing Show on February 13th and 14th 2010 at the Butler Senior High School.
Fish & Boat Winter Meeting Scheduled for January 27-28 in Harrisburg
The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) will hold its winter quarterly meeting on Jan. 27-28 at its Harrisburg office.
Biologist Report - West Branch Susquehanna River and Susquehanna River Younf-of-Year Smallmouth Bass
Biologists conducted backpack electrofishing surveys July 13-17 and 23-24, 2009 targeting YOY smallmouth bass at ten historic sampling sites in the West Branch and twenty-six historic sampling sites in the Susquehanna River.
Biologist Report - Laurel Hill Creek & Big Sandy Creek Basins, Somerset and Fayette Counties, Search for Wild Trout
Fisheries Management personnel from the Area 8 office surveyed 15 unassessed waters in the Laurel Hill Creek and Big Sandy Creek basins in Somerset and Fayette Counties.
Commissioner Lenny Lichvar Sworn in as District 4 Representative
Lenny Lichvar of Boswell, Somerset County, has been sworn in as the District 4 commissioner for the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, representing Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Fulton, Huntingdon, Juniata, Mifflin and Somerset counties.
Updated Fish Consumption Advisories Issued for 2010
State officials today released updated fish consumption advisories that include two new fish species and a water body that had not previously been on the list, but also eases or lifts advisories on fish from seven water bodies.
Eleven Complete Police Training Requirements at State Police Facility
Six waterways conservation officers from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) and five Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) rangers have completed Municipal Police Officers Basic Training, Pennsylvania State Police Commissioner Frank E. Pawlowski announced today.
Biologist Report - Susquehanna River smallmouth bass
During September 21 ? 24, 2009, biologists conducted nighttime electrofishing surveys targeting adult smallmouth bass at four historic sampling sites located within the middle portion of the Susquehanna River from the Fabri Dam in Sunbury downstream to the York Haven Dam near Middletown to determine trends in abundance, size structure, age structure, and growth attributes, among other attributes.
Biologist Report - Wild Trout Streams, Cumberland and Perry Counties
A subset of unassessed streams were surveyed in the Sherman Creek and Yellow Breeches Creek basins in south central Pennsylvania to determine if wild trout were present.
Fish & Boat Commission to inspect Marcellus Shale drilling sites
Safe Harbor Water Power Corporation, a hydroelectric generating station on the lower Susquehanna River, announces plans to draw down the water level in Lake Clarke above the Safe Harbor Dam.

whichever is strongest.

Articles of Equipment Which Should Be Aboard Every Well-Found Boat, Though Not Required By Law

The Motor Boat Act prescribes that motor boats must carry certain equipment for the safety of those aboard. This includes life preservers, lights, whistle, bell, fire extinguishers, name arresters on carburetors, ventilating cowls and ducts for the bilges, and the certificate of registration. These requirements vary with the class of boat, and certain exceptions are made in some classes.

In addition to this required equipment, however, there are other things which should be aboard before a boat may be considered to be well-found. The extent of cruising the boat does will determine the amount and kind of equipment, such items as anchors and lines, boat hook, fenders, bilge pump, tool kit, spare engine parts, piloting equipment, auxiliary lighting equipment, and such special safety equipment as ring buoys, flares, and a first aid kit.

In the same category with tools and spare parts we might include a few good carpenter's tools, extra pieces of line of several sizes, a ball of marlin, an assortment of nails, screws, bolts, washers, wire, caulking cotton, paint, etc. On boats equipped with sails a small repair kit should be added containing twine, wax, needles, palm, fid, and similar articles. All should be properly stowed to keep it accessible and in good condition.

Other miscellaneous items would be a deck mop, pail (some prefer a canvas bucket), a chamois for cleaning windows, brass polish, a supply of oil for engine, grease (both the regular and waterproof varieties as required), some light machine oil and penetrating oil for rusted parts, vaseline, distilled water, a hydrometer, some clean rags and several rolls of paper towels. An emergency tiller is often carried.

Keep the ten rules of conduct outlined, and carry the equipment mentioned above, and you will be well-prepared for anything.