I would imagine that many of the experienced boaters on this board could really be of help here if you were to explain what you do to ensure safety on your vessel. This could include a whole bunch of things from the personal safety of the occupants to safety when mooring, when fueling, when anchored, etc. I think we all take a bit too much for granted when we boat and maybe this posting could serve as reminder that there is much more to boating than just having fun.
What are your thoughts on boating safety?
- Thread starter Dave S
- Start date
DS410
New Member
Great post, Dave.
In my view, Boating Safety begins in the classroom. No matter how experienced you think you are, if you haven't taken a boating safety class, you should, especially if it's in the off season.
I'm a big proponent of the US Power Squadrons. My local is the Dundalk Sail and Power Squadron. The USPS is just now starting a new educational system they call USPS University. Loads of great educational opportunities in a much more open, customizable format than in the past.
If you love boating, look into USPS membership and learn how to boat safely. THEN apply that knowledge on the water.
David S.
In my view, Boating Safety begins in the classroom. No matter how experienced you think you are, if you haven't taken a boating safety class, you should, especially if it's in the off season.
I'm a big proponent of the US Power Squadrons. My local is the Dundalk Sail and Power Squadron. The USPS is just now starting a new educational system they call USPS University. Loads of great educational opportunities in a much more open, customizable format than in the past.
If you love boating, look into USPS membership and learn how to boat safely. THEN apply that knowledge on the water.
David S.
H2ONUT
Well-Known Member
DON'T take anything for granted... ALWAYS expect the unexpected!
Make yourself a checklist and follow it. It will be the one thing that gets overlooked that will haunt you.
My biggest safety concern is leaving and coming back to the dock. Before I leave, any guests I have, I tell them to STAY PUT no matter what is going on. There is nothing worse than a bunch of people running around, shifting weight, grabbing, pulling...
Make yourself a checklist and follow it. It will be the one thing that gets overlooked that will haunt you.
My biggest safety concern is leaving and coming back to the dock. Before I leave, any guests I have, I tell them to STAY PUT no matter what is going on. There is nothing worse than a bunch of people running around, shifting weight, grabbing, pulling...
Petep
Member
Can't agree more with what Dave said above, Check out the United States Power Squadron and all it has to offer from both the Educational side (with classes for all levels), The Fraternal side (that's the parties and rendezvoius) and the Civic side with fuudraisers and helping out. My wife and I just about grew up on boats and spent years both racing sailboats at all levels of the sport and powerboat cruising all over the great lakes, we still participate activly in our local Squadron and urge all to "get involved". Every one who reads this who has not taken some sort of course should sign up for one right-away. Heck, when you come by me on the lakes in a passing situation (or any situation for that matter) I sure want you to know your rules-of-the road!
Wotty
New Member
I cant beleive there have only been three replies to such an important thread.
I have been boating for over 40 years, mainly sail, but most recently power. One of the reasons for taking my boat out in a force 6/7 was to see how it would handle in rough seas, it was also a fantastic photo opportunity http://www.byowneryachts.com/forums/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=1631
I didnt want any surprises, if, when returning to the marina after a trip out I ran into some stormy weather, I wanted to know exactly how the boat would handle.
As for the safety aspect of my 10 min excursion, I was only approx 300 yards off the marina but, I wore a lifejacket, the kill cord was attached to my wrist, the vhf dsc fixed radio turned on, the waterproof handheld vhf radio, turned on and attached to my belt, and flares in a waterproof container. I also had a pmr radio round my neck so I could chat to wifey ashore.
The point of my reply: Be Prepared and as H2ONUT said "dont take anything for granted"
:grin: Safe Boating all :grin:
I have been boating for over 40 years, mainly sail, but most recently power. One of the reasons for taking my boat out in a force 6/7 was to see how it would handle in rough seas, it was also a fantastic photo opportunity http://www.byowneryachts.com/forums/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=1631
I didnt want any surprises, if, when returning to the marina after a trip out I ran into some stormy weather, I wanted to know exactly how the boat would handle.
As for the safety aspect of my 10 min excursion, I was only approx 300 yards off the marina but, I wore a lifejacket, the kill cord was attached to my wrist, the vhf dsc fixed radio turned on, the waterproof handheld vhf radio, turned on and attached to my belt, and flares in a waterproof container. I also had a pmr radio round my neck so I could chat to wifey ashore.
The point of my reply: Be Prepared and as H2ONUT said "dont take anything for granted"
:grin: Safe Boating all :grin:
Skip
Well-Known Member
- Oct 5, 2006
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Where I boat you can't navigate north of the Wilson Bridge on the Potomac without taking a boating safety course..a requirement courtesy of the DC Police.
We could post for hours on this. I do a safety briefing for everyone on board before I crank the Cummins, regardless if they are a first time cruiser or visiting for the hundredth time. I cover basic procedures aboard...life jacket locations, how to don them, location of first aid kit and fire extinguishers, etc. Actions in the event of an on-board emergency. Actions when the boat is entering or leaving the slip or a crowded channel. Then my rules..all kids in life jackets at all times, procedures to use the marine head, garbage can locations, etc. I then familiarize the adults with basic line handling, etc.
Safe boating is all about good maintenance, knowledge on the part of the captain, preparation and "what if" drills, and a touch of luck here and there.
regards
Skip
We could post for hours on this. I do a safety briefing for everyone on board before I crank the Cummins, regardless if they are a first time cruiser or visiting for the hundredth time. I cover basic procedures aboard...life jacket locations, how to don them, location of first aid kit and fire extinguishers, etc. Actions in the event of an on-board emergency. Actions when the boat is entering or leaving the slip or a crowded channel. Then my rules..all kids in life jackets at all times, procedures to use the marine head, garbage can locations, etc. I then familiarize the adults with basic line handling, etc.
Safe boating is all about good maintenance, knowledge on the part of the captain, preparation and "what if" drills, and a touch of luck here and there.
regards
Skip
Wotty
New Member
:thumbsup: Quite agree with you Skip, we could post for hours on this subject. Maybe it should have a section of its own called "Boat Safety - do's and don'ts"
I would have liked to have created a pole about Man Overboard, but apparently I dont have permission.
We've had so many accidents in the UK recently with inexperienced helmsmen not knowing how to approach a man in the water and have caused loss of limbs and even death.
1. Do you know what to do in a Man Overboard situation?
2. Have you and your crew practice M.O.B until it is second nature?
3. If you (the helmsman) goes overboard, will the people left in the boat know what to do?
4. Do you keep a second kill cord by the helm?
In my own boat, the kill cord must be in place for the boat engine to run. If this is the same as your system then you need a spare cord onboard, and it needs to be where everyone knows where it is: If not, a man overboard situation involving the helmsman will see the boat drifting helplessly away from him with the crew totally unable to restart the motor because the kill cord is still attached to the man they are trying to rescue!
As soon as the M.O.B alarm is raised, the helmsman should react by turning towards the side that the casualty fell in from in order to kick the stern, and those spinning propeller blades, away from him
At 20 knots, if you take only one second to react to your M.O.B. then he is already 33 feet behind you. If your emergency happened because someone fell in from the bow then you really will have to kick that back end away from him - and then someone ought to kick your ass for being such a prat as to let anyone ride up there anyway.
Approach the M.O.B. at tick-over speed. Approaching anyone in the water with a powerboat is potentially dangerous. If the casualty is conscious, then it is far better to throw him a line, reach with a paddle or boat hook, or tow a rope (your ski rope if you have one) around him in an arc so that he can grab it and pull himself in. If you have to approach him directly then remember that whilst the tide is affecting both the boat and the casualty in the same way, only the boat will be affected by the wind.
If you fall in: Shout as you go over and remebmer the prop. If you fall over the side of a speeding boat you would be better served trying to fling yourself well away from the boat than trying to hang on to it. If you grab a handhold but do not save yourself from entering the water you will be pulled along with your feet being dragged under the hull towards spinning blades.
I would have liked to have created a pole about Man Overboard, but apparently I dont have permission.
We've had so many accidents in the UK recently with inexperienced helmsmen not knowing how to approach a man in the water and have caused loss of limbs and even death.
1. Do you know what to do in a Man Overboard situation?
2. Have you and your crew practice M.O.B until it is second nature?
3. If you (the helmsman) goes overboard, will the people left in the boat know what to do?
4. Do you keep a second kill cord by the helm?
In my own boat, the kill cord must be in place for the boat engine to run. If this is the same as your system then you need a spare cord onboard, and it needs to be where everyone knows where it is: If not, a man overboard situation involving the helmsman will see the boat drifting helplessly away from him with the crew totally unable to restart the motor because the kill cord is still attached to the man they are trying to rescue!
As soon as the M.O.B alarm is raised, the helmsman should react by turning towards the side that the casualty fell in from in order to kick the stern, and those spinning propeller blades, away from him
At 20 knots, if you take only one second to react to your M.O.B. then he is already 33 feet behind you. If your emergency happened because someone fell in from the bow then you really will have to kick that back end away from him - and then someone ought to kick your ass for being such a prat as to let anyone ride up there anyway.
Approach the M.O.B. at tick-over speed. Approaching anyone in the water with a powerboat is potentially dangerous. If the casualty is conscious, then it is far better to throw him a line, reach with a paddle or boat hook, or tow a rope (your ski rope if you have one) around him in an arc so that he can grab it and pull himself in. If you have to approach him directly then remember that whilst the tide is affecting both the boat and the casualty in the same way, only the boat will be affected by the wind.
If you fall in: Shout as you go over and remebmer the prop. If you fall over the side of a speeding boat you would be better served trying to fling yourself well away from the boat than trying to hang on to it. If you grab a handhold but do not save yourself from entering the water you will be pulled along with your feet being dragged under the hull towards spinning blades.
Sea Gull
Well-Known Member
Wotty, Great post. I especially love the term "tick-over" speed. Those of us who speak the hacked up American version of English would call that idle speed.
All of your recommendations are perfect. I would add just two points. First, one crew member must be assigned to keeping a visual on the overboard crew. Losing sight of a person in the water is the worst thing to happen. The second point is just to emphasize the point of practicing man overboard drills.
Imagine your wife having to pull you, unconscious, from the water and into the boat. Can it be done? On sailboats it is possible to use a halyard and winch or the main sheet with its block and tackle to haul dead weight aboard, but most powerboats do not have this option. Anyone who has thought this through and has advice, please share.
All of your recommendations are perfect. I would add just two points. First, one crew member must be assigned to keeping a visual on the overboard crew. Losing sight of a person in the water is the worst thing to happen. The second point is just to emphasize the point of practicing man overboard drills.
Imagine your wife having to pull you, unconscious, from the water and into the boat. Can it be done? On sailboats it is possible to use a halyard and winch or the main sheet with its block and tackle to haul dead weight aboard, but most powerboats do not have this option. Anyone who has thought this through and has advice, please share.
jrirvine1
Member
As part of overall safety, last fall I took a 16 hr class in Annapolis on non-gps piloting and navigation techniques. BTW, piloting is making way while in sight of land, with the use of aids and navigation refers to off shore without any aids. (I did not know that) I think sole dependence on our electronics, no matter how advanced, is not the best practice. Two local captains told me it is not “if†the system(s) will fail but “when they failâ€.
I feel very confident now that if the onboard electronics should go out, (radar, GPS and depth sounder) I could establish my position and plot a course on the paper charts either to the closest marina to make repairs or back to home port. Of course there are other remedies to this situation such as calling sea tow or following a good Samaritan in to port, but I think it is important to be able to know how to find your own way should the need arise.
The class was so enjoyable that I may enroll in the next one on celestial navigation. These techniques are of course not needed within the Chesapeake Bay, but I find it fascinating and that seems enough to justify the class.
Should anyone be interested: http://www.annapolisschoolofseamanship.com/
(Hope I didn’t break any rules by posting the school)
I feel very confident now that if the onboard electronics should go out, (radar, GPS and depth sounder) I could establish my position and plot a course on the paper charts either to the closest marina to make repairs or back to home port. Of course there are other remedies to this situation such as calling sea tow or following a good Samaritan in to port, but I think it is important to be able to know how to find your own way should the need arise.
The class was so enjoyable that I may enroll in the next one on celestial navigation. These techniques are of course not needed within the Chesapeake Bay, but I find it fascinating and that seems enough to justify the class.
Should anyone be interested: http://www.annapolisschoolofseamanship.com/
(Hope I didn’t break any rules by posting the school)
sbw1
Well-Known Member
- Oct 10, 2006
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In addition to the previous posts, practice, practice, practice. The USCG trains by running the inlet into our harbor when the winds and waves are high. Whenever, I buy a new boat I take it out in heavy seas to learn how it handles. Practicie with electronics during day light hours so using your nav aides becomes second nature is important as well. There is no substitute for hours at the helm in all kinds of conditions. This keeps your skills sharp.
H2ONUT
Well-Known Member
Another point...
If the captain is hurt and can not pilot the boat, is there somone abaord that can??
This is what I am going to work on this spring. I need to teach the wife and boys how to dock the boat. They know how to operate the boat, but I never taught them how to dock. :smt009
If the captain is hurt and can not pilot the boat, is there somone abaord that can??
This is what I am going to work on this spring. I need to teach the wife and boys how to dock the boat. They know how to operate the boat, but I never taught them how to dock. :smt009
downeast320
New Member
While i don't have much advice as far as emergency procedures for a MOB situation I can shed some light on what I think is the most necessary safety gear to outfit your vessel with.
These first few go without saying but, fire extinguishers, plenty of first aid supplies, backup stashes of any prescription meds, plenty of life jackets and flares, and a for horn. This is the bare minimum.
Now, I am just goign to share the extra saftey provisions we have outfitted our vessel with:
Life Raft: We boat in waters that are hypothermic any more than 100 yards of the beach, in summer. While it may be seen as over cautious for how far offshore we cruise, you would really be kicking yourself in the ass about it if you ever needed one, so if you have a place to store it I think it is worth your while. We have an 8 person offshore life raft in a valises that stores nicely under the stairs in out 320. It just gives you peace of mind to know that if the boat goes down you've got something prepared to keep you alive.
Redundant systems: We have a backup hand held VHF and plan to purchase a hand held GPS and install a secondary plotter before commissioning this season.
Sea strainer mod: This is any easy way to make your engines into emergency high water bilge pumps. I drilled a hole in the top of both strainers and fitted a thread for a hose inside and sealed it to be water tight and put a heavy duty brass cap on top. In the event that the bilge pumps could not clear the bilge fast enough I can close the sea cocks, and attach short garden hoses to each strainer and use the engines to blow out more water.
Paper Charts: When the electronics decide to fail we always have charts handy.
EPIRB: On our off season projects list.
The biggest thing to keep you safe is judgment. I know you cant control the weather but, being smart about when you take trips, and when you leave can make all the difference. We have been in a few situations where we needed to get guests home 50 miles and it was 6-8 footers and its just not worth the risk to stay on a schedule.
Hope this helps shed some light on different safety measures.
These first few go without saying but, fire extinguishers, plenty of first aid supplies, backup stashes of any prescription meds, plenty of life jackets and flares, and a for horn. This is the bare minimum.
Now, I am just goign to share the extra saftey provisions we have outfitted our vessel with:
Life Raft: We boat in waters that are hypothermic any more than 100 yards of the beach, in summer. While it may be seen as over cautious for how far offshore we cruise, you would really be kicking yourself in the ass about it if you ever needed one, so if you have a place to store it I think it is worth your while. We have an 8 person offshore life raft in a valises that stores nicely under the stairs in out 320. It just gives you peace of mind to know that if the boat goes down you've got something prepared to keep you alive.
Redundant systems: We have a backup hand held VHF and plan to purchase a hand held GPS and install a secondary plotter before commissioning this season.
Sea strainer mod: This is any easy way to make your engines into emergency high water bilge pumps. I drilled a hole in the top of both strainers and fitted a thread for a hose inside and sealed it to be water tight and put a heavy duty brass cap on top. In the event that the bilge pumps could not clear the bilge fast enough I can close the sea cocks, and attach short garden hoses to each strainer and use the engines to blow out more water.
Paper Charts: When the electronics decide to fail we always have charts handy.
EPIRB: On our off season projects list.
The biggest thing to keep you safe is judgment. I know you cant control the weather but, being smart about when you take trips, and when you leave can make all the difference. We have been in a few situations where we needed to get guests home 50 miles and it was 6-8 footers and its just not worth the risk to stay on a schedule.
Hope this helps shed some light on different safety measures.
DS410
New Member
jrirvine1 said:
Jim, I took Junior Navigation from our Power Squadron. I suppose it would be the equivalent to Celestial Nav 101. I can tell you it is incredibly fascinating, but the concepts, (at least for me), are VERY difficult to grasp. I don't know how Annapolis teaches it, but out course was at least 4 months long with a grueling exam at the end. I barely passed the written exam, but still need to complete a "site folder". My advice - take the class for academic/intellectual interest only. Have fun.
David
