Whether you're boating, fishing, swimming or enjoying another water sport, be sure to put safety first.

Below are some rules to live by. For more on boating safety, get The Handbook of New Hampshire's Boating Laws and Responsibilities, which is available online for free from the New Hampshire Department of Safety, Marine Patrol Bureau.

Boating
Fishing

Boating

• Dont overload- observe passenger and weight limits.
• Wear life jackets or vests- state law requires one wearable life preserver for each person in a boat and all children age 5 or under must wear an approved vest or jacket. Weak or non-swimmers should always wear an approved personal flotation device; in treacherous waters everyone should.
• Know the water- always carry a chart (map).
• In an accident personal safety comes first; report all injuries and damage.
• Water and alcohol dont mix- sixty percent of recent boating fatalities in New Hampshire were alcohol related. Dont boat while intoxicated.
• Use your lights- all boats operating after sunset until sunrise must display visible lights.
• Hunting is prohibited while under power from a motor, as is carrying a loaded firearm.
• Dumping and littering are illegal- even a cigarette butt. Punishable as a misdemeanor (up to a year in jail and/or a $2000 fine).
• Dont harass wildlife- killing or deliberately harassing water birds through the operation of a boat is taking wildlife (fines of $1000 or more, and loss of fishing license).
• Everyone 16 years of age or older needs a valid safe boating education certificate in order to operate a powerboat with an engine in excess of 25 horsepower on the public waters. For further information or class schedules on this new law, call 1-888-254-2125. Boater Education Information is also available on the web.

• Practice safe fishing. Be careful when casting and handling fish hooks. Wear a life jacket when in a boat or near deep water.
• Be courteous. Dont litter. Pick up all extra line, leftover bait and other trash. Respect the rights of other anglers, and always give the other person plenty of room to fish. Respect the wishes of private property owners.
• Respect the outdoors. Observe but do not disturb wildlife. Keep only the number of fish for which you have a need. Release fish right away if you do not plan to eat it.
• Obey fishing laws. Buy a license and know the kind, number and size of fish youre allowed to keep. Report fishing law violations to Operation Game Thief: 1-800-344-4262.