Recreational boating
Recreational boating is the use of boats for leisure, including activities such as sailing, fishing, cruising, and watersports.
Sailing: The activity of moving a vessel using sails powered by wind. Sailboats make wind-powered travel a central form of recreational boating.
Boat handling: The control of a boat's movement through steering, propulsion, and maneuvering. Handling skills govern docking, turning, and responding to wind or current.
Commercial shipping: The transport of goods by vessels operated for commercial purposes. Its cargo and business objectives distinguish it from leisure boating.
Boating safety: Practices and rules intended to prevent injuries, deaths, and damage during boating. Training and precautions address drowning, collisions, and other boating hazards.
Sport fishing: Fishing pursued for recreation or competition rather than primarily for food or income. Angling from boats gives access to offshore and inland fishing grounds.
Marine navigation: The planning and monitoring of a vessel's position and route on water. Navigation keeps leisure trips on course and clear of hazards.
Commercial fishing: The harvesting of fish and other aquatic organisms for sale or trade. Fishing from a boat can be recreational or a livelihood, depending on its purpose.
Boating under the influence: Operating a vessel while impaired by alcohol or other drugs. Impairment increases the risk of crashes and is restricted by law in many jurisdictions.
Pleasure cruising: Leisure travel by boat, often involving overnight stays and visits to multiple destinations. Cruising turns the boat itself into accommodation and a means of exploration.
Personal flotation device: A wearable or throwable device designed to keep a person afloat in water. A properly fitted flotation device reduces drowning risk after a fall overboard.