Taking a Boating Safety Course is the best 

way to prepare for a safe and enjoyable time 

on the water. For more information, go to 

www.USCGboating.org. As a boat owner or 

operator, you are responsible for your safety 

and the safety of your passengers. That’s why 

the U.S. Coast Guard reminds you: 

“You’re in Command. Boat Responsibly!”

A cut-off switch lanyard will 

stop propellers from rotating 

if the driver is thrown 

overboard or pulled away 

from the boat’s controls.

Understand 

the danger of

propeller 

strikes

Did You

Know?

What Can 

You Do?

Attention:

Beware

Boat Propellers...

A Hidden 

Danger

A typical three-blade propeller running 

at 3,200 rpm can inflict 160 impacts 

in one second.

• A typical recreational propeller can travel from 

head to toe on an average person in less than 

one tenth of a second.

• Most propeller accidents CAN be prevented!

1. Wear your engine cut-off switch lanyard and 

your life jacket at ALL times. If the lanyard is 

removed from the switch, the engine will shut off. 

2. Assign a passenger to keep watch around the 

propeller area of your boat when people are 

in the water.

3. Consider purchasing propeller safety devices 

for your boat.

Brought to you by the U.S. Coast Guard 

For more details visit 

www.USCGboating.org

For more information, please contact:

• Swimmers 

• Skiers

• Tubers 

• Anglers

• Wake Boarders

And All Recreational 

Boaters 
Review all options with a marine professional 

to determine which preventive measures 

are best for your boat. For a list of devices, 

visit www.uscgboating.com.

SAFETY TIPS

SAFETY DEVICES

“	A series of events led to all three of us

being thrown in the water. My husband

yelled to warn me the boat was

approaching from behind. The propeller

slashed my arm, my back, my breast,

and continued down to my buttocks

and hip, chewing through bone.

The next time I saw my husband he

was floating dead in the water, his left

leg missing from the knee down.

Our guide had also been struck and

killed. For them, the propeller caused

death. For me it caused much more.

Through great will, I am a functioning

human being; but I’m still trying to

adjust to a completely different life.”

A Survivor’s 

Account • Before starting your boat, walk to the stern and 

look in the water to make certain there is no one 

near your propeller (people near propeller may 

not be visible from helm).

• Never allow passengers to board or exit your 

boat from the water when engines are on – or 

idling (your propeller may continue to spin).

• Educate passengers about the location 

and danger of the propellers.

• Call attention to and discuss any propeller 

warning labels around your boat.

• Be especially alert when operating in congested 

areas and never enter swimming zones.

• Take extra precautions near boats that are 

towing skiers or tubers. 

• Never permit passengers to ride on the bow, 

gunwale, transom, seatbacks, or other locations 

where they might fall overboard. 

• Children should be watched carefully 

while onboard.

A variety of safety devices are available 

to help prevent propeller strikes: 

• Wireless cut-off switches

• Propeller guards

• Ringed propellers

• Propulsion alternatives

• Interlocks

• Sensors 

• Anti-feedback steering

• Establish clear rules for swim platform use, 

boarding ladders, and seating (if possible, 

passengers should remain seated at all times).

• If someone falls overboard, STOP! Then slowly 

turn the boat around, and keep the person in 

sight as you approach. Assign a passenger to 

continuously monitor the person in the water. 

Turn your engine off FIRST and then bring the 

person to safety. 

• Never reverse your boat to pick someone 

up out of the water. Go around again.