Spring Commissioning Checklist: Insurance & Safety Advice

Published May 25, 2025 by Bimini—specialized boat insurance for wherever the water takes you.

Ready to launch?

After months on the hard, spring commissioning is the moment every boater dreams about—yet 3,844 boating accidents and $63 million in property damage still occurred in 2023 alone. A systematic pre-season walk-through keeps you on the right side of those statistics and your insurance policy. Use the step-by-step guide below, then grab our one-page printable checklist (download link at the end) before you head to the launch ramp.

Why a Formal Commissioning Matters

• Prevents mechanical breakdowns that could void an insurance claim.
  
  
• Satisfies many marinas’ proof-of-insurance and safety requirements.
  
  
• Reduces unexpected downtime so you can spend more weekends on the water—exactly why you own a boat in the first place.
  
  

Quick win: Scan or photograph every key document (registration, policy declarations, safety-course card) and store them in a cloud folder you can access from the helm.

1. Insurance Check-Up Before You Splash

Task

Why It Matters

How to Do It

Review hull & liability limits

Vessel values changed dramatically in the past two years. Make sure your settlement would cover today’s replacement cost.

Open last year’s policy docs and compare to current market comps on BoatTrader or YachtWorld.

Update navigation territory & lay-up dates

Operating outside listed waters or months can jeopardize a claim.

Add riders for new gear

Wake towers, electronics, or lithium batteries often need scheduled coverage.

Photograph receipts and upload them during the rider request.

Confirm marina requirements

Many facilities require $500k+ liability and hull coverage equal to lien amount.

Email your declarations page to the dockmaster.

Ask about safety-course discounts

USCG Auxiliary and state courses can knock 5–10 % off premiums.

Send your certificate to service@getbimini.com.

→ Need an instant check-up? Start a new quote or mid-term change in under a minute.

2. Documents & Compliance

1. State Registration – Ensure the sticker is current and visible.
   
   
2. Trailer Plates & Inspection – Especially critical for interstate towing.
   
   
3. Boating Safety Certificate – Mandatory in many states for operators born after specific dates (e.g., anyone born after 1996 in NY).
   
   
4. Proof of Insurance – Keep both digital and printed copies aboard.
   
   

3. Safety-Gear Audit (USCG-Approved)

Gear

Check

Replacement Rule

Wearable life jackets (1 per person)

Inspect straps, buckles, CO₂ cylinders if inflatable.

Must be USCG-approved and size-appropriate.

Throwable Type IV (boats ≥ 16 ft)

No cracks or torn lines.

Replace if waterlogged or faded.

Fire extinguishers

Gauge in the green; no corrosion.

Disposable models expire 12 years after manufacture (new 2022 rule).

Visual distress signals

Flares < 42 months old.

Or swap to LED SOS beacon.

Sound device

Whistle + horn functional.

Required on all motorboats.

Navigation lights

Bulbs and lenses clean; spare fuses on board.

Test at dusk before launch.

EPIRB/PLB

Battery expiry date; registration.

Update NOAA database if you changed phone number.

4. Mechanical & Systems Walk-Through

Borrowed from the renowned [BoatUS Spring Commissioning Checklist] —and field-tested by thousands of owners.

Engines & Fuel

• Change oil, filters, and impeller; inspect belts and hoses.
  
  
• Double-clamp fuel and exhaust hoses with marine-grade stainless.
  
  

Electrical

• Clean battery terminals and load-test.
  
  
• Verify bilge-pump float switch operation.
  
  

Hull & Running Gear

• Inspect props for dings; check cutless bearing play (< 1/16").
  
  
• Examine thru-hulls for cracks and exercise seacocks.
  
  

Safety Electronics

• Update chart-plotter firmware; verify AIS/MMSI registration.
  
  

5. Clean & Green: Environmental Checklist

Reducing spills isn’t just good karma—it’s required in many harbors.

• Bilge pads catch stray oil. Replace when saturated.
  
  
• Biodegradable cleaners only—never dish soap (it just sinks the oil).
  
  
• Fuel slowly; leave 10 % headspace to prevent thermal expansion spills.
  
  
• Recycle shrink-wrap and used oil filters at designated marina bins.
  
  

See Discover Boating’s “10 Tips for Clean & Green Boating” for more best practices.

6. Shakedown Cruise Checklist

1. Run at idle for five minutes; check engine temp and exhaust flow.
   
   
2. Inspect bilge for leaks; look for rainbow sheens.
   
   
3. Test steering lock-to-lock; verify autopilot heading.
   
   
4. Practice a quick stop and MOB drill to confirm crew readiness.
   
   
5. Save the Bimini 24/7 Claims Hotline (855-BI-MINI-24) in your phone.
   
   

7. Tech Tune-Up

• Sync your VHF with GPS for DSC distress calls.
  
  
• Download the Bimini Safety App (iOS & Android) for digital ID cards and storm alerts.
  
  
• Enable automatic firmware updates for connected devices.
  
  

8. Grab the Free Printable Checklist

We turned this article into a one-page PDF you can stash in the nav desk or share with your dock-neighbors.

(Need it later? We’ll email it—no spam, just seasonal tips.)

Launch This Season with Confidence

Ready for worry-free weekends?

Or explore coverage options in our Boat Insurance Coverage Types guide and see how premiums stack up for pontoons, center-consoles, and more.

Disclosure

Insurance offered through Bimini Insurance Services, LLC. Coverage subject to policy terms, conditions, and underwriting approval. This article is for informational purposes only and does not modify any policy or constitute professional safety advice.

Keep Reading

• How Much Does It Cost to Insure a Pontoon in 2025?
  
  
• Atlantic Hurricane Prep Checklist (coming soon)
  
  

See you on the water—safely insured and ready for adventure!

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