Play it safe, keep a stack of float plan forms on hand. Leave a copy with a friend, relative or local marina before heading out on the water. In case of an emergency, pertinent information will be right at their fingertips to enable them to contact the local marine police or Coast Guard with necessary details. A word of caution—in case you're delayed, and it's not an emergency, inform those with your float plan, and be sure to notify them when you return so the float plan can be "closed out" and an unnecessary and costly search avoided. An example of a float plan is provided here as a PDF.

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