What should you do if your boat's engine fails while on the water?

If your boat's engine fails while you are on the water, using paddles or sails to maneuver to safety is the best course of action. This allows you to maintain control of your vessel and navigate toward the nearest shore or safety. By relying on paddles or sails, you can effectively manage the situation without risking your safety by abandoning the boat or becoming stranded in open water.

Utilizing your paddles maintains your position and helps you move in a controlled manner, while sails, if available and appropriate for the conditions, can harness wind power to propel the boat. Engaging these methods keeps you with your boat, which is crucial since it provides buoyancy and is more visible to other boaters or rescuers.

While waiting for assistance might seem tempting, it doesn’t guarantee prompt help, and one should never jump overboard, as that can result in becoming vulnerable to the elements or marine hazards. Turning on the radio for emergency assistance is a practical action but may take time to receive a response, during which managing your vessel’s movement is essential. Therefore, maneuvering with paddles or sails becomes a vital and proactive response to address an engine failure.