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Operator's Responsibilites |
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| Your water fun depends on you, your equipment
and other people who, like yourself, enjoy spending leisure time on, in or near
the water. Let's take a look at your responsibilities: |
 | Make sure the boat is in top operating
condition and that there are no tripping hazards. The boat should be free of
fire hazards and have clean bilges.
| Safety equipment, required by law, is on
board, maintained in good condition, and you know how to properly use these
devices.
| File a float plan with a relative or friend.
| Have a complete knowledge of the operation
and handling characteristics of your boat.
| Know your position and know where you are
going.
| Maintain a safe speed at all times to avoid
collision.
| Keep an eye out for changing weather
conditions, and act accordingly.
| Know and practice the Rules of the Road
(Navigational Rules).
| Know and obey Federal and state regulations
and waterway markers.
| Maintain a clear, unobstructed view forward
at all times. "Scan" the water back and forth; avoid
"tunnel" vision. Most boating collisions are caused by
inattention. |
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| You are the key to water safety! |
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Overloading |
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| Never overload your boat with passengers and
cargo beyond its safe carrying capacity. Too many people and/or gear will cause
the boat to become unstable. Always balance the load so that the boat maintains
proper trim. Here are some things to remember when loading your boat: |
| Distribute the load evenly fore and aft and
from side to side.
| Keep the load low.
| Keep passengers seated (Do not stand up in a
small boat!).
| Fasten gear to prevent shifting.
| Do not exceed the "U.S. Coast Guard
Maximum Capacities" information label (commonly called the Capacity
Plate).
| If there is no capacity plate, use the
following chart as a guide to determine the maximum number of persons you
can safely carry in calm weather. The chart is applicable only to mono-hull
boats less than 20ft in length. A mono-hull is a boat, which makes a single
"footprint" in the water when loaded to its rated capacity. For
example, a catamaran, trimaran, or a pontoon boat is not a mono-hull boat. |
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Anchoring |
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Anchoring is done for two principal
reasons: first, to stop for fishing, swimming, lunch, or an overnight
stay and secondly, to keep you from running aground in bad weather or as
a result of engine failure. Anchoring can be a simple task if you
follow
these guidelines: |
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Make sure you have the proper type
of anchor (danforth/plow/mushroom).
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A three to six foot length of
galvanized chain should be attached to the anchor. The chain will
stand up to the abrasion of sand, rock or mud on the bottom much
better than a fiber line.
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A suitable length of nylon anchor
line should be attached to the end of the chain (this combination is
called the "Rode"). The nylon will stretch under heavy
strain cushioning the impact of the waves or wind on the boat and
the anchor.
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Select an area that offers maximum
shelter from wind, current and boat traffic.
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Determine depth of water and type of
bottom (preferably sand or mud).
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Calculate the amount of anchor line
you will need. General rule: 5 to 7 times as much anchor line as the
depth of water plus the distance from the water to where the anchor
will attach to the bow. For example, if the water depth is 8 feet
and it is 2 feet from the top of water to your bow cleat, you would
multiply 10 feet by 5 to 7 to get the amount of anchor line to put
out (See diagram below). | | | | | |
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Secure the anchor line to the bow
cleat at the point you want it to stop.
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Bring the bow of the vessel into the
wind or current.
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When you get to the spot you want to
anchor, place the engine in neutral.
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When the boat comes to a stop,
slowly lower the anchor. Do not throw the anchor over, as it will
tend to entangle the anchor.
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When all anchor line has been let
out, back down on the anchor with engine in idle reverse to help set
the anchor.
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When anchor is firmly set, use
reference points (landmarks) in relation to the boat to make sure
you are not drifting. Check these points frequently. |
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Do not anchor by the Stern!! |
| Anchoring a small boat by the
stern has caused many to capsize and sink. The transom is usually
squared off and has less freeboard than the bow. In a current, the force
of the water can pull the stern under. The boat is also vulnerable to
swamping by wave action. The weight of a motor, fuel tank, or other gear
in the stern increases the risk. |
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Fueling Precautions |
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 Most
fires and explosions happen during or after fueling. To prevent an accident
follow these rules: |
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Portable tanks
should be refueled ashore.
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Close all hatches and other openings
before fueling.
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Extinguish all smoking materials.
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Turn off engines, all electrical
equipment, radios, stoves and other appliances.
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Remove all passengers.
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Keep the fill
nozzle in contact with the tank and wipe up any spilled fuel.
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Open all ports, hatches and doors to
ventilate.
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Run the blower for at least four
minutes.
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Check the bilges for fuel vapors
before starting the engine.
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Do the "sniff test". Sniff
around to make sure there is no odor of gasoline anywhere in the
boat. |
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Do not start the engine until all traces of
fuel vapors are eliminated. |
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Fuel Management |
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| Practice the
"One-Third Rule" by using: |
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One-third of the fuel going out
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One-third to get back and
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One-third in reserve |
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Float Plan |
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Play it safe, keep a stack a float
plan forms on hand. Leave a copy with a friend, relative or local marina
before heading out on the water. In case of an emergency, pertinent
information will be right at their fingertips to enable them to contact
the local marine police or Coast Guard with necessary details. A word of
caution-in case you're delayed, and it's not an emergency, inform those
with your float plan, and be sure to notify them when you return so the
float plan can be "closed out" and an unnecessary and costly
search avoided. A sample
Float
Plan is provided. |
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Propellor Blades Warning |
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Never forget the danger that boat
propellors can inflict to persons in the water. Statistics indicate the
most propellor injuries and fatalities involve open motorboats 16 to
less than 26 feet in length and are due to operator inattention,
inexperience, and carelessness. Remember to shut off your engines when
approaching swimmers. When engines are running, alert swimmers to stay
clear of the stern. Propeller guards are not suitable for all types of
boats. Therefore, the best and safest course of action to take when
people are in water near your boat--Shut off your engines! |
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Weather |
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You should never leave the dock without
first checking the local weather forecast. You can get the weather
information from the TV, radio, local, newspaper, on-line, or from one
of the weather channels on your VHF radio.
At certain times of the year weather can change rapidly and you should
continually keep a "weather eye" out. While you are out in a
boat here are a few signs you can look for that indicate an approaching
weather change: |
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Weather changes
generally come from the west. Scan the sky with
your weather eye, especially to the
west.
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Watch for cloud to build up,
especially rapid vertically rising clouds.
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Sudden drop in temperature.
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Sudden change in wind direction
and/or speed.
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If you have a barometer on your
boat, check it every 2 to 3 hours. A rising barometer indicates fair
weather and rise in wind velocity; a falling barometer indicates
stormy or rainy weather. |
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What To Do in Severe Weather |
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Reduce speed, but keep just enough
power to maintain headway.
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Put on your PFDs.
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Turn on running lights.
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Head for nearest shore that is safe
to approach, if possible.
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Head bow of boat into the waves at
about a 45-degree angle.
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Keep bilges free of water.
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Seat passengers on bottom of boat
near centerline.
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If your engine fails, trail a sea
anchor on a line from the bow to keep the boat headed into the
waves. A bucket will work as a sea anchor in an emergency.
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Anchor the boat if necessary. |
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