When you're out on your boat, you want your time on the water to be relaxing and fun. By following basic safety precautions, you can ensure that your recreational time will be well spent. As part of this process, all boaters - including those who swim, ski, tube, fish or wakeboard using a boat - need to be aware of the potential hidden danger of boat propellers. Here are some important safety tips that can minimize the chances of a propeller strike.

1. Before starting a boat, walk to the stern, and look in the water to make certain there's no one near the propeller. (Swimmers may not be visible from the helm.)

2. Never allow passengers to board or exit from the water when engines are running - even idling. (The propeller may continue to spin even when the boat is in neutral.)

3. Inform passengers of the location and dangers of the propellers - call attention to any propeller warning labels around your boat.

4. Be alert when you're operating in congested areas, and never enter swimming zones.

5. Take extra precautions near boats that are towing skiers or tubers.

6. Never permit passengers to ride on the bow, gunwale, transom, seatbacks or other locations where they might fall overboard and under the boat.

7. Watch children carefully.

8. Establish clear rules for swim platform use, boarding ladders and seating. (In general, passengers should remain seated while the boat is underway.)

9. If someone falls overboard, STOP! Slowly turn the boat around, and keep the person in sight as you approach. Assign a passenger to monitor the person in the water continuously. Turn the engine off FIRST, then bring the person to safety. NEVER reverse your boat to pick someone up out of the water.

10. Assign a passenger to keep watch around the propeller area of your boat when people are in the water.

11. Wear a life jacket at all times. If you're operating the boat, wear your engine cut-off lanyard as well. If the lanyard is pulled from its receptacle, the engine shuts off. In this way, if the driver of a boat is thrown overboard or pulled away from the boat's controls, the engine and propeller will stop turning almost immediately. A cut-off lanyard may also be wireless. In this case, the operator and passengers wear a device that either monitors their position electronically or is water-activated. When someone goes overboard, the alarm sounds and/or the engine is stopped.

12. Educate yourself about devices and design elements available to help prevent propeller strikes. These include propeller guards, ringed propellers, propulsion alternatives, interlocks,  sensors and anti-feedback steering. For more in-depth information on alternatives, visit www.uscgboating.org.

13. Speak to fellow boaters about the hidden danger of propellers, and do your best to communicate the safety tips listed above. By taking the time to bring this important topic to someone's attention, you could be helping to save lives.

The U.S. Coast Guard asks all boat owners and operators to help reduce fatalities, injuries, property damage and associated healthcare costs related to recreational boating accidents by taking personal responsibility for their own safety and the safety of their passengers. Essential steps include: Always wear a life jacket, and require passengers to do the same; never boat under the influence (BUI) of drugs or alcohol; successfully complete a boating safety course; and get a free Vessel Safety Check (VSC) annually from the local U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, U.S. Power Squadrons, or your state boating agency's Vessel Examiners. The U.S. Coast Guard reminds all boaters, "You're in command. Boat responsibly!"