Women at the Helm - Safety
By consulting a safe boating guide and
obtaining the required certificates before
you go out on the water, you not only protect
yourself and family, but other boaters on
the water.
The following resources will help you learn
more about boating education and
instruction:
Boating Courses
-
American
Boating Education - Officially Approved
Boating Safety Education Courses and
Online Tests for Your Boat License or
Boater Safety Certification
-
Boatsafe.com
- Safety Equipment Requirements and
Age Restrictions by State
-
BoatUS
Foundation - On-Line boating courses.
This course is approved to meet the
basic boater education requirements
in certain states.
-
Colgate
Schools - Learn to confidently handle
a sailboat or power boat with finesse
from sailing and power boating certified
instructors.
-
Sailing
Schools - Choose from a list of
specialty sailing schools in your area.
-
U.S.
Coast Guard Auxiliary - These courses
provide instruction to boaters at all
levels, from the fundamental to the
advanced.
-
United
States Power Squadrons - Learn the
fundamentals of safe boat handling from
experts
Life Jackets
One of the main reason people love boating
is the freedom it offers—cruising the open
water, enjoying the wind, sun and spray.
So, it’s tempting to boat without wearing
a life jacket, especially in good weather.
Today’s life jackets come in an almost limitless
array of shapes, sizes and colors. They
offer comfort, style and flexibility. What’s
more, you can find life jackets tailor-made
for specific activities, like fishing, boating,
skiing or sailing.
When choosing a life jacket, make sure
it’s been designed for your planned activities
and that it fits. A life jacket that doesn’t
fit properly won’t work properly.
You MUST have a life jacket on board for
every person on the boat. Though not required,
they should be worn at all times when the
vessel is underway. Why? Well, no one plans
an accident—but you can plan for safety.
Start by wearing a life jacket whenever
you’re on the water. After all, it’s a fact
that most drowning victims had a life jacket
available and chose not to wear it.
Family Boating: Safety Tips for Boating
with Kids
Boating is a great way to spend time with
your children. Nature provides endless lessons
for the young boater and there are also
many tasks that can be assigned to youngsters
to teach responsibility. It is important
to establish boating safety rules and procedures
to reduce the chance of trouble or injury
during your excursion. Furthermore, if youngsters
will be joining you, there are a few features
you should consider before making your purchase.
Emergency Situations
It is important to be prepared if an emergency
occurs while you are out on the water. For
example, do you know what to do if the captain
of your boat is unable to handle the vessel?,
Who will take over? Who knows how to drive
the boat? Who knows where everything is
on the boat?
In an emergency, the first thing is
to stay calm. Second, ensure everyone on
board is wearing their life jacket. Third,
survey the situation so that you can radio
for help. Know the name of your boat, the
location of your boat (see GPS), how many
are on board, the type of emergency, and
if anyone is wounded.
If the boat has a ship to shore radio,
tune it to channel 16 (United States Coast
Guard) and clearly say “MAYDAY” three times
for life threatening emergencies or SECURITE"
(pronounced: secure-i-tay) for safety emergencies
that are non life threatening.
A safety emergency is where your boat is
not in immediate/life threatening danger,
but could become without assistance.
Procedure for VHF Channel 16 MAYDAY:
-
If you have an MF/HF radiotelephone
tuned to 2182 kHz, send the radiotelephone
alarm signal if one is available. If
you have a VHF marine radio, tune it
to channel 16. Unless you know you are
outside VHF range of shore and ships,
call on channel 16 first.
-
Distress signal "MAYDAY", spoken three
times.
-
The words "THIS IS", spoken once.
-
Name of vessel in distress (spoken
three times) and call sign or boat registration
number, spoken once.
-
Repeat "MAYDAY" and name of vessel,
spoken once.
-
Give position of vessel by latitude
or longitude or by bearing (true or
magnetic, state which) and distance
to a well-know landmark such as a navigational
aid or small island, or in any terms
which will assist a responding station
in locating the vessel in distress.
Include any information on vessel movement
such as course, speed and destination.
-
Nature of distress (sinking, fire etc.).
-
Kind of assistance desired.
-
Number of persons onboard.
-
Any other information which might facilitate
rescue, such as length or tonnage of
vessel, number of persons needing medical
attention, color hull, cabin, masks,
etc.
-
The word "OVER"
For example:
MAYDAY-MAYDAY-MAYDAY
THIS IS OUT TO SEA OUT TO SEA OUT TO SEA
MI1234
CAPE HENRY LIGHT BEARS 185 DEGREES MAGNETIC-DISTANCE
2 MILES
STRUCK SUBMERGED OBJECT
NEED PUMPS-MEDICAL ASSISTANCE AND TOW
THREE ADULTS, TWO CHILDREN ONBOARD
ONE PERSON COMPOUND FRACTURE OF ARM
ESTIMATE CAN REMAIN AFLOAT TWO HOURS
OUT TO SEA IS FORTY FOOT CABIN CRUISER-WHITE
HULL-BLUE DECK
OVER
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