### The Day the Dock Shook: My Dad, a Wooden Boat, and the Life Jacket Incident.
Growing up on the water, you’d think safety would be second nature. But when you’re 12 years old and have a new boat behind your house, screaming to be let loose, “safety equipment” is usually the last thing on your mind. One afternoon, my older brother and I decided to sneak out for a quick run. We had the power, we had the new wood boat wit a big outboard engine, but we definitely did *not* have our USCG approved life preservers. When we pulled back into the dock, we didn’t find a welcoming committee—we found my father. To say he “reamed us a new one” would be an understatement. He practically shook the varnish off the boat. Since I was only 12, my older brother took the brunt of the “educational feedback,” which involved a volume level usually reserved for foghorns. The irony? We had just finished a Chapman boating course sponsored by the Coast Guard Auxiliary that spring. We *knew* better, but as kids, our brains were apparently replaced by salt water. That yelling session birthed the “Sacred Checklist.” My dad made us go through a pre-flight routine before every single outing. To this day, I don’t leave the dock without running through a list. It’s a habit ingrained in me by a very loud man and a very beautiful wooden boat. **Pro Tip:** Don’t wait for a drill sergeant father to teach you the hard way. Make sure your gear is up to date. You can check out my favorite [Reliable Life Jackets and Safety Gear here] to stay in the Coast Guard’s (and your dad’s) good graces.
