How to Create a Float Plan
If you’re headed out on the water, whether it’s for a few hours or a few weeks, it’s a good idea to leave a float plan with someone you trust. Delays and emergencies unexpectedly happen all the time. A float plan can alert someone that you may need help, especially if for some reason you can’t call for help yourself. Let’s take a look at what a float plan should look like and why you need one anytime you go out on the water.
What is a float plan?
Simply stated, a float plan is a description of your sailing or boating plans. It should list when you’re leaving, where you’re going, and when you expect to be back. It should also have a description of the boat, list of people on board, and what safety equipment you have with you. There’s more information that you should include but we’ll go over those details below. The goal of the float plan is to offer guidance to the Coast Guard or police on where to look for you if something were to happen.
Why is it important to have a float plan?
It’s important to have a float plan so that someone knows where you are in case an emergency situation pops up. If you’re only going out for a few hours, just let someone know your plans. You don’t have to do a full written float plan – of course unless you want to. Tell them when you’re leaving, where you plan to sail for those few hours, and when you’re coming back. That way they can alert the authorities if they can’t get a hold of you and you don’t return home around when you said you would.
If you’re planning on going out for longer than a few hours, it’s a good idea to write up a float plan and give it to someone you trust. This plan will be more detailed and list multiple ways to reach you while on board. This is especially important if you’re a cruiser, since you may be making longer offshore jumps and leaving the relative safety of inland waterways behind.
Read more: What Should be in Your Fist Aid Kit?
What should a float plan include?
There’s no set format or list of items a float plan should include, but the Coast Guard has put together a great form for you to use. Click that link to go straight to the form or you can head to https://floatplancentral.cgaux.org/ for more information.
In general, a good float plan should include the following:
Detailed description of the vessel, hull or ID number, and any identifying information specific to your boat
All the ways you can be contacted while on board. List all cell phones, VHF radios, satellite phones, and GPS tracking devices
A list of all safety equipment on board. This tells rescuers what they might be possibly looking for – persons in the water with life vests vs. a life raft, flares or other signaling devices, or an EPIRB signal
A list of all people on board including their age, gender, and their cell phone
Who to contact on board first to determine if there’s an issue and help is needed. Also list which emergency agency to contact for the person holding the float plan. This could change depending on if you’re sailing in the ocean (Coast Guard) or boating at a national park (park ranger station).
Your itinerary. Be as detailed as possible and list all hailing ports as well as estimated arrivals and departures.
Cruising plans change often, just like the weather. Make sure you let whoever has your float plan know any time your plans change. It will save some unnecessary stress and worry – and possibly an angry Coast Guard boat showing up at your boat for no reason.
Who do I give a float plan to?
First and foremost, you want to give your float plan to someone who is responsible and will follow up with you to make sure you’ve made it to your destination. This could be a friend, family member, or even your marina. If you know someone who is familiar with boating and cruising, and understands how the weather and plans can change – they would be an ideal person to leave your float plan with. They’ll know how much time to give you if you’re running late to your destination and not panic before alerting the authorities.
It’s also a good idea to leave your plan with someone who is familiar with how to follow your GPS tracker or contact you via satellite phone. They can keep tabs on you while you’re traveling and watch for any unusual movement.
You do not file the Coast Guard form with the Coast Guard!
Key Takeaways…
A float plan is an overview of your sailing plans that should be made anytime you go out on your boat. It could be as informal as telling someone that you’re going out sailing for a few hours or as detailed as the Coast Guard form for longer trips.
Always leave your float plan with someone who is responsible and will follow up to make sure you made it to your destination.
Having a float plan will help authorities locate you quickly if an emergency occurs and you can’t call for help yourself.