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Home > About the Float Plan > How it works

How it works
 

The USCG Float Plan is divided into six (6) major sections each of which perform a specific function, and are listed below in the order they appear on each page of the device:

PAGE ONE
   

"Vessel" section

Contains critical details about your vessel. The information is used to:

  • Physically identify your vessel.
  • Make contact with you.
  • Determine the likelihood that you will be able to find your way back to shore should you have drifted off course.
  • Determine the ability of your vessel to handle the environmental conditions that have occurred, are occurring, or will be occurring, based on your itinerary.

"Safety & Survival" section

Helps rescue personnel further asses the degree of severity of the incident based on:

  • The likelihood of you being able to signal for help under the prevailing environmental conditions.
  • Your ability to protect yourself and your crew from the environment.

"Persons On Board" section

Tells rescue personnel:

  • The operators familiarity with area and the vessel.
  • How many people they need to look for.
  • Basic identifying characteristics of each person.
  • Information about the vehicle used to transport the vessel and/or passengers to the launch point.
  • Any personal limitations that may elevate the degree of severity of the incident based on the time and the prevailing environmental conditions.

 

 
USCG Float Plan page 1
  USCG Float Plan
Page 1
PAGE TWO
    

"Contacts" section

Identifies three key contacts in the event you do not check-in or returned as planned:

  • The initial contact point where you began your voyage.
  • The contact point at your destination.
  • Local rescue authority where you began your voyage e.g. Police, Sheriff or other first responder.

"Itinerary" section

Outlines your travel plans whether in or out of the water, helping rescue personnel determine the most likely area to begin their search, based on:

  • How long you've been missing since your last "Check-in" time.
  • Planned arrival and departure dates and times.
  • Mode of travel.
  • Reason and location for any planned stops.

 

 
USCG Float Plan page 2
  USCG Float Plan
Page
2
PAGE THREE
   

"Boating Emergency Guide™" section

This exclusive guide provides step-by-step instructions, for the person holding your plan, on what to do if they have a genuine concern for the safety or welfare of the persons on board, should you not "Check-in" or return as planned:

  • Requires no prior boating knowledge to use it effectively.
  • Uses "Job Aid" technology to guide and direct the person holding you plan on what to do, when to do it and how to do it.

 

 
USCG Float Plan page 3
  USCG Float Plan
Page 3
   
 
Safety is simple when you have a plan™
 
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