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Learn about the responsibilities of a vessel operator, including passenger safety, emergency procedures, towing skiers, and protecting the environment. Explore paddlesports, water-skiing, scuba diving, and more.
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Chapter Six Enjoying Water Sports With Your Boat!
Key Topics Responsibilities of a Vessel Operator Paddlesports—Canoes, Kayaks, and Rafts Water-Skiing Scuba Diving and Snorkeling Windsurfing and Sailing Hunting and Fishing
Objectives understand a vessel operator’s responsibility to his or her passengers. understand a vessel owner’s responsibility when allowing others to use his or her vessel. understand the boater’s responsibility to the environment. be able to properly tow skiers and recognize skier hand signals. understand shared responsibilities of all those enjoying the waters. You should …
Responsibilities Operators are responsible for ensuring that their passengers understand basic safety practices and laws. Use a pre-departure checklist to ensure you’ve taken necessary safety precautions. Before departing, have a safety discussion with everyoneon board. Conduct emergency drills with your passengers so that everyone knows what to do in case of a boating emergency.
Responsibilities (cont.) Location of emergency equipment The need for wearing PFDs Laws about reckless operation, required equipment, and waste disposal Safety procedures How to summon help How to anchor the vessel and handle lines (ropes) Some things that should be pointed out are:
Responsibilities (cont.) Meets the minimum age and boater education requirements. Knows basic boating safety and navigation rules. Knows how to use lanyard with the ignition safety switch. Understands the importance of speed restrictions. Understands the need to keep a proper lookout. Operators have responsibilities to others they allow to operate their vessel—make sure he or she:
Responsibilities (cont.) Make sure he or she meets the minimum age and boater education requirements. Make sure he or she knows they have the same responsibilities as any other vessel operator. Let beginners take their first rides in an uncrowded area. Before allowing someone to drive your PWC:
Responsibilities (cont.) While on shore, show proper procedures for starting and reboarding. Make sure he or she understands that power is required for steering control. • Point out that they need to make sure the area is clear before making turns.
Responsibilities (cont.) Keep waters clean and disease-free by properly disposing of waste and litter. Practice the three “R’s”—Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. Reduce throttle to “no wake” speed when close to a shoreline. Don’t use toxic substances on your vessel or around water. Responsibility to the Environment
Responsibilities (cont.) You are just one of many who are enjoying the privilege of using the public waterways—it is your responsibility to stay aware of others in or on the water and to respect their use of the waterways. Being a responsible operator includes controlling the noise of your boat or PWC.
Paddlesports—Canoes, Kayaks, Rafts Always wearing a PFD. Never paddling alone. Never overloading boat. Maintaining low center of gravity. Keeping weight balanced. A paddler prepares for safety by:
Paddlesports (cont.) Be alert and aware of surroundings. Be prepared to react to dangerous situations. Practice reboarding your craft in water. Dress properly for the weather. Check your craft for leaks. Map a general route and timetable when embarking on a long trip. Know weather conditions before you head out.
Paddlesports (cont.) Low-head dams Rapids Strainers A paddle trip down river can include these river hazards:
Paddlesports (cont.) Float on upstream side of craft. Do not try to stand or walk in swift-moving water. Float on your back with feet and arms extended. Float with feet pointed downstream. Don’t fight current. If water is cold, take all necessary precautions to avoid hypothermia. If you capsize, follow these guidelines:
Water-Skiing Have second person on board to act as observer. Review hand signals with skier. Make sure skier is wearing USCG–approved PFD. Be familiar with area and any hazards. Make sure tow lines are same length for multiple skiers. Never ski at night—it is hazardous and illegal. Before towing a water-skier, operator should:
Water-Skiing (cont.) Start engine after making sure no one in water is near the propeller. Start boat slowly until ski rope is tight. Watch for other vessels and obstructions—let observer watch the skier. While towing a skier, operator should:
Water-Skiing (cont.) Always respond to skier’s signals. Once the skier has dropped or fallen, circle the skier slowly. Always keep fallen skiers in view and on operator’s side of vessel. If required, display red or orange flag to alert other boaters that skier is down. Always shut engine off before allowing skier to board boat.
Water-Skiing (cont.) Wear a PFD. Learn to use hand signals. Never ski under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Never spray swimmers, vessels, or other skiers, and never wrap tow rope around your body. Always hold ski up out of water after falling. Never approach the back of the boat unless the engine has been shut off. When in the water, the skier should:
Water-Skiing (cont.) skier okay skier down stop speed okay speed up slow down turn left turn right
Scuba Diving and Snorkeling Be able to recognize a diver-down flag. Stay the legal distance away from a diver-down flag. Look for bubbles breaking on the water. Vessel operators should:
Scuba Diving and Snorkeling (cont.) Select a stable boat that is suited for diving. Avoid overloading the vessel. Never dive or snorkel alone. Divers should: • Display the diver-down flag and stay close to the flag.
Windsurfing Dress appropriately. Tell someone where you are going, when you expect to return, and who to call if you are overdue. Do not become fatigued. Be on the lookout for vessels. Don’t stray too far from shore.
Sailing Sailboats are usually the stand-on vessel. Small sailboats are prone to capsizing and swamping. Falling overboard is common.Alwayswear a PFD. Sailors should always be aware of water temperature. A certified sailing course is recommended.
Sailing (cont.) Stay off water during storms or periods of high winds. Carry a flashlight. Sailboats with an engine must have red, green, and white navigation lights. Be aware of mast clearance when passing under power lines and bridges. Some tips for safe sailing:
Fishing Know and follow all safe boating laws and requirements. Not overload the vessel. Always wear a PFD. Recycle or toss used fishing line into receptacles on shore. Take care of the fishing boat. Anglers using a vessel to fish should:
Fishing (cont.) Slow down when approaching fishing boats or give them wide berth. Never run over angler’s lines. Never disturb fishing boats by making large wake.
Hunting Obey all boating laws. Take extra precautions to avoid capsizing or swamping. Wear PFD at all times while on the water. If using a vessel to hunt you should: • When hunting on cold water, dress in several layers under your PFD.
Hunting (cont.) Always check the weather, and stay close to shore. Fire no shots nor release any arrows until vessel is stopped, motor off, and vessel secured. Always remain seated when shooting. Be aware of laws regarding the transport of firearms in a vessel. Firearms should always be unloaded, have the safety on, and be secured in a gun case when they are being transported in a vessel.
