This article is one in a series offering tips on boating skills and seamanship prepared for The Citizen by the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary.

The busiest boating holiday is upon us!

With the weather cooperating in many parts of the country, boaters will be out in full force. A few precautions will help make this an enjoyable holiday

The Coast Guard and the BoatU.S Foundation for Boating Safety recommend that all boaters taker a few extra precautions to increase your family's and your guests' safety on the water.

Here are 10 tips that will help you stay safe this Fourth of July holiday weekend:

1. Put safety into your weekend plan: The Foundation's free Online Boating “Toolbox” at http://www.BoatUS.com/Foundation/Guide has helpful information on trip planning and preparation, boating equipment, emergency preparation, navigation, and quizzes to test your knowledge.

2. “Little” guests need life jackets: Everyone wants to be on the boat this holiday weekend, but do you have the right-sized life jacket aboard for any visiting children? The BoatU.S. Foundation loans children's life jackets for free at over 350 marinas, fuel docks, and other waterfront businesses and boat clubs. Closer to home, ask a fellow boater if you can borrow any children's life jackets, if they are not used. Check to make sure that floating capacity of the life jacket matches the weight of your child.

3. Take your time to get home: The Fourth of July is the one time a year many fair-weather boaters - who may rarely navigate in the dark - venture out after the sun goes down. The most reported type of boating accident is a collision with another vessel, so it's a good idea to keep your speed down, post an extra lookout, and ensure all your navigation lights work. A spotlight is a must, and ensure all safety gear is readily available and life jackets are worn. Be extra vigilant about not running over anchor lines in crowded fireworks viewing areas, and don't take shortcuts in the dark.

Those boaters who like to watch fireworks from their boats and they will be navigating in the dark after the show, be extra careful when you are returning to your anchorage or marina. Many canoe and kayak enthusiasts are out there as well and it is hard to spot them in the dark.

4. Wear life jackets: Almost three-quarters of all fatal boating accident victims drowned, and of those, 87 percent were not wearing a life jacket. Accidents can happen very quickly, sometimes leaving no time to don a life jacket.

5. Don't overload your boat: Resist the urge to invite more friends or family to the fireworks show than what your boat was designed to carry. Heavily loaded small boats, and those with little freeboard such as bass boats, are more susceptible to swamping from weather or wake action associated with heavy Fourth of July boating traffic.

6. It's a long day: A full day in the sun will increase alcohol's effects on the body, so it's better to wait until you're safely back at the dock or home before breaking out the libations. Also bring lots of water, a VHF radio and check the weather reports to avoid storms.

7. Know how to get back in the boat: A fall overboard can turn into a life-threatening situation pretty quickly, especially for small boats without built-in boarding ladders. The BoatU.S. Foundation recently tested a range of portable boarding ladders, and you may be surprised what they found.

To view video of these ladders in our boarding tests, or learn which ladder may be best for you, see the Foundation Findings No. 44 at http://www.BoatUS.com/Foundation

8. Never run the engine when swimmers are in the water: Raft-ups, or groups of boats tied together in a protected anchorage, is a great way to spend the holiday with fellow boating friends. But you should never run an engine, or a generator for that matter, with swimmers in the water near exhaust ports or props. Even though the boat's transmission may not be in gear, propellers can still rotate, and odorless, colorless carbon monoxide can quickly overcome swimmers.

9. Take a local boating safety class: I may begin to sound like a broken record, but here are still lots of boaters out there who never completed a course in boating safety. The U. S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, the Power Squadron and other local agencies offer courses in boating safety.

10. Cruising the Great Lakes or offshore? An emergency position indicating rescue beacon (EPIRB) is a good idea.

Have a safe and enjoyable Fourth of July boating holiday.

John E. Keshishoglou is the IP flotilla commander of the Ithaca Flotilla 22. He can be reached at (607) 273-7175