The General Purpose planning method is ideal for routine, simple outings that are a day or less in duration, and take place in a very limited but familiar geographic area.  Some examples include:

• a favorite fishing location,

• waterskiing or Jet Skiing,

• enjoy a relaxing cruise alone or with friends.

Remember, the primary function of the General Purpose plan is that it is a reusable.  That means it is always prepared for a specific boating location. 

Creating a General Purpose plan

Create your re-usable float plan as follows:

1. Vessel section

   Complete this section in full.

2. Safety & Survival section

   Check-off those items that need to be on board as required by Federal and state laws where you will be boating.

   Check-off any additional items needed for this particular kind of trip.

3. Persons On Board section

   1. Operator sub-section:

      Prepare completely.

   2. Passengers sub-section:

      If you only go to this location with a specific person or group of persons, then enter their information in the passenger section now.

      Otherwise, you can leave the passenger section blank,  and fill it in by hand when you know specifically who, if anyone else, will be going with you.

4. Itinerary section

   A general statement of where the activity will take place is all sufficient.  Examples include: "Fishing at Johnson Lake near the dam", "Skiing at Comstock cove, Ozarks", "Cruising around Carter's Point and back", and so on.

5. Contact information

   We recommend that you provide the information for at least one contact in or near the area where you will be boating.  This could be a marina operator, or other entity that is nearby, and can (preferably) be contacted by phone.