Abstract: A combination boat and distressed boat flotation apparatus, a distressed boat flotation apparatus, and methods of installing and using a boat flotation apparatus are provided. The combination preferably includes a boat including a boat hull and a plurality of flotation containers positioned to substantially surround the boat hull and positioned to be inflated with a gas responsive to the boat hull being in a distressed condition so that the boat is prevented from sinking by the inflated plurality of flotation containers. The apparatus of the combination also preferably includes a plurality of moisture sensors each positioned in the boat hull to sense the distressed condition and a distressed condition controller positioned in communication with the plurality of moisture sensors and the plurality of flotation containers to control the inflation of the plurality of flotation containers responsive to at least one of the plurality of moisture sensors sensing the distressed condition.