• Check weather and water conditions
• Understand the rules of the road
• Know how to operate your boat

• They use the harbor’s dredged channel
• They are constrained by their draft and have the right ofway
• They probably cannot see you—beware
• They lose visual contact with small vessels as they get closer

• Do not cross between a tug and a barge!
• If you are unsure of a large vessels intentions, contact the vessel on VHF Channel 13
• Know your signals!

• CONNECTICUT DEEP BOATING DIVISION, 860-434-8638, offers courses on responsible boating. For a list of courses, visit the Boating Division's website.
• THE COAST GUARD AUXILIARY, 1-877-875-6296, offers Boating Skills/Seamanship, Sailing/Seamanship, and Advanced Coastal Navigation classes. For information on courses, visit the Coast Guard Auxiliary's website.
• THE U.S. POWER SQUADRONS, 1-888-367-8777, offers safe boating and navigation courses. For information on courses, visit the United States Power Squadron's website.
• THE U.S. COAST GUARD, 1-800-368-5647, distributes a pamphlet entitled A Boater's Guide to the Federal Requirements for Recreational Boats. Call to request a copy. 

As a steward of Long Island Sound, please watch for and report all pollution spills — oil, fuel, sewage, hazardous materials, and marine debris. This applies to pollution from private or commercial boats, ships, bayside businesses, and industries. Also report pollution from storm drains and surface run-off emptying into the Sound.

To report all spills (oil, chemical, plastics, sewage, garbage, trash, and pollution) contact the U.S. Coast Guard National Response Center toll-free at 800-424-8802 or the Connecticut DEEP Emergency Response and Spill Prevention Division Toll Free at 1-866-DEP-SPIL (1-866-337-7745), 860-424-3338, or 860-424-3333.

Thanks for reporting spills. It’s good for the Sound and it’s good for everyone who enjoys this valuable resource.

Content Last Updated on November 2, 2011.