Crack up your car, and the responding police officer, sheriff’s deputy or state trooper files any required report.

OK, for the moment, don’t think of yourself as the boater in peril. Instead, imagine yourself as the loved one concerned for an overdue boater and unsure.

Neglecting the little things can lead to big problems. (Just ask the guy who forgot to install the hull drain plug.)

It can seemingly happen in a heartbeat: a following wave stuffs and rolls your boat, and you’re in the water.