Boating
Basic Boating Safety Course Notes (as of 08/2023)
Must have a current state registration decal, and your registration, or "certificate of number," must be aboard
Boat numbers must be affixed on the forward portion of both the port and starboard side.
Numbers should be block letters
Numbers need to be at least three inches in height
The capacity plate on your boat lists the weight of people, fuel and gear that can be safely carried. Boats less than 20 feet powered with an inboard, outboard, or stern drive engine manufactured after November 1, 1972, must display a capacity plate defining the safe load limits. Sailboats, canoes, kayaks and inflatable boats are exempt from this standard.
For boats under 20 feet, or boats without a capacity plate, a general way to determine how many people you may safely carry is to use the following formula: i.e. 20ft boat x 6ft beam (width) / 15 (always 15)
Cosider registering your boat with the Coast Guard (keeps a paper trail of your boat); Documentation is only available for boats that admeasure 5 gross tons, which works out to be about 30 feet in length.
"Admeasurement" is a unit of volume - not weight.
All New York boats/ Jet skis (PWCs) must be registered with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and carry proof of registration at all times during operation in order to be operated on the public waters of New York
Parts of the boat
Bow - Front of boat
Beam - Width of boat
Helm - Steering mechanism of the boat
Starboard - Right side of a boat (Stéor = steer)
Port - The left side of boat because ships with steerboards or star boards would dock at ports on the opposite side of the steerboard or star.
Stern - Rear of boat
Transom - the flat surface forming the stern of a boat
Hull - Bottom of boat
Boat Types
Planing hulls are designed to plane, or ride on top of the water, regardless of the weight of the boat.
flatter hulls need less power to attain high speeds, but are worse on handling
Many planing boats use a shallow "V" shape to ride better in rough waters.
Displacement hulls typically have a rounded bottom; displace or move, an amount of water equal to the weight of the boat; Very efficient; ie Sailboats;
Sweage
To legally dispose of sewage boaters must either have an onboard treatment device (Type I or Type II MSD) or a holding tank (Type III MSD) to hold the waste and have it pumped out ashore.
Sewage is called black water. Gray water is waste water that comes from sinks, showers, and boat washing.
The minimum approach distances are:
Sea turtles: 50 yards (150 feet)
Dolphins, porpoises, & seals: 50 yards (150 feet)
North Atlantic right whales: 500 yards (1500 feet)
Other large whales: No intentional approach within 100 ft.
Life Jackets
Children under 12 years of age must wear a properly fitting and secured U.S. Coast Guard approved PFD whenever on any vessel under 65 feet in length is underway. If the child is in a fully enclosed cabin, then the child is not required to wear a PFD.
Every PWC operator and passenger, and anyone towed behind a PWC, must wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved PFD during operation.
Everyone aboard a recreational boat less than 21 feet in length must wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved PFD between November 1st and May 1st regardless of age.
Required to carry on boat
One life jacket (in good condition) for each person on board plus a throwable cushion or ring is required. You must have the life jacket out of the plastic and in a READILY accessible location. The throwable should be close by the steering station.
Three current-dated, hand-held, approved flares are minimum equipment to serve for day and night distress signals, both inshore and offshore. More information on Visual Distress Signals later in this lesson.
The correct number of approved fire extinguishers, readily available for use is based on the size of your vessel. More information on fire extinguishers in the Emergency Preparation lesson.
A sound-making device. More on sound signals later in this lesson.
Working running lights. More on running lights later in this lesson.
Noise level
no vessel shall exceed a noise level of 90 decibels (dba) when subject to a stationary test or 75 dba when tested while moving. It is illegal to manufacture or sell a boat that does not meet these specifications.
Navigation Lights
Vessels are required to show the proper navigation lights from sunset to sunrise in all weather conditions, good and bad
Passing and horn usage
one short blast (horn) - right side overtake when a boat is coming towards you
two short blasts - left side when youre overtaking a boat
One long blast when leaving a dock
one long and three short when pulling into a dock
5 short blasts - danger signal
When reduced visability: Sailboats or vessels not under command, restricted in ability to maneuver, towing or pushing another vessel, or engaged in fishing with nets or trawling: One prolonged blast followed by two short blasts sounded at two-minute intervals.
Vessels at anchor: Rapidly ringing bell for five seconds at intervals of not more than one minute. Boats less than 12 meters (less than 40 feet) must make an efficient sound with an interval of no more than two minutes. If you see a vessel approaching, you may also sound the following signal: one short, one prolonged, and one short blast in quick succession.
The unwritten law of the sea requires that a mariner come to the aid of a mariner in distress.
Radio
Very High Frequency (VHF) radios
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulates marine radio traffic and dictates that all other uses are secondary to safety, so chatting is strongly discouraged by the FCC and forbidden on Channels 16 and 9
The most important channels on your VHF radio are 13, 16, 19, 22, and 70. Channel 13 is used by commercial shipping to communicate their actions and confirm passage. Channel 16 is designated by the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) as the national distress, safety and calling frequency.
Calls to other vessels are normally initiated on channel 16 except for recreational vessels which may use channel 09. The FCC has designated channel 09 as a recreational calling channel in order to eliminate congestion on channel 16.
United States Coast Guard does not monitor channel 09 for distress calls. Any vessel in distress should use channel 16 (which the Coast Guard does monitor). Channel 22 is the most common working channel for USCG in the event of an emergency.
The VHF antenna is a very important part of your VHF Radio System. Make sure you get the correct one for your boat or it wont work well
Monitor channel 16 when you are not talking. If your radio is on while underway, you must be monitoring channel 16.
Don't tie up channel 16 or channel 9. If you are talking with someone, switch to a working channel like 72 so you are not keeping others from using channel 16 or 9 for emergency situations. In some instances, the Coast Guard may even order you to switch channels if you are abusing these channels.
A VHF radio is not a telephone. When you use your VHF, everyone tuned to that station in the area can hear you! Watch your language, and try to keep your conversations short and to the point so that others may use the channel.
MAYDAY - distress signal, requires the most urgent response. This signal is only to be used when a person or boat is threatened by grave or imminent danger and requires assistance.
PAN-PAN - (pahn-pahn) used to signal urgent information like man overboard or a boat is drifting towards a hazard. If your emergency isn't immediately life threatening say Pan-Pan instead of Mayday. An example would be if you have a controllable leak and you want help standing by in case it gets worse.
SECURITE - (se-cure-ih-tay) the safety signal, is used to transmit information about the safety of navigation. For instance, if a large commercial vessel is coming through a narrow channel this signal would be used. It can also be used to transmit weather information, such as when a storm system is approaching.
Weather
In the ocean, swells (caused by the interaction of ocean currents with distant weather systems) gradually build into waves. As they travel, each crest reaches higher above its trough. Increasing wind tears at the wave tops, causing whitecaps. When this heavy sea encounters shallow water, crests rise and break and surf crashes ashore. Sometimes, these waves near shore will form strong rip currents pushing back out to sea. This effect is often amplified by the narrowing funnel of an inlet or sandbar.
STOP! Assess your situation - are you in a busy channel, or near shore? Or are you out in the open? Being aware of your surroundings is the first step in dealing with fog.
If you can, anchor your boat, and simply ride out the fog. But listen closely for other vessels that might approach, and make sure that you have a sound producing device to let the other vessels know of your presence.
Trailers
Class I has a maximum capacity rating of 2,000 pounds
Class II has a maximum capacity rating of 3,500 pounds
Class III has a maximum capacity rating of 5,000 pounds
Class IV has a maximum capacity rating of 10,000 pounds
Trailer Tires – Your tires must have an “ST” rating which means it’s intended for towing. They have thicker sidewalls and dissipate heat better than a vehicle tire. Check for unusual tread wear or weathered sidewalls. Replace any worn tires if needed and inflate to the required pressure.
Safety Chains – Safety chains or safety cables should be crossed and attached to the tow vehicle.
Fueling a boat
Pay attn since its different than a car; boats have vents so make sure gas isnt spilling out of the vent; waves make it difficult to know when its actually full or empty; gas has faster pumps so it can fill big boats faster -- listen to sound since change in sounds mean tank is almost full
...there was a lot of info so I stopped taking notes. Below are the quiz qs I got wrong or thought were notable...
Misc Quiz Qs:
Which of the following is required to have a backfire flame arrestor? A boat with a gasoline inboard engine
If you see a red, a green, and a white light on another boat, what does this tell you? A boat is approahing you head on
According to the Navigation Rules, a rapidly ringing bell every minute signals what? Boat at anchor in the fog
What is the proper procedure for using hand-held visual distress signal flares? Display when immediate or potential danger exists
Inboard gasoline boats built after July 31st, 1981 must have what type of ventilation system? Mechanical
What do three short blasts of a horn indicate? A boat is using astern propilsion and is in the act of backing up
Visual flares - Flares are rated for day, night, or combined day/ night use
filing a float plan - provide info in case of an emergency
Sudden drop in temperature is a sign the weather may change for the worse
recommended maintenance for an inboard boat?
What percent of the total weight of the boat, motor, trailer and gear? 5 to15%
How many minutes should a blower be operated before starting an engine? 4 min
What should you do when operating a boat in large waves and high wind? Head into the waves at a slight angle and reduce speed
Boat trailers with too little tongue weight tend to do what? Cause the trailer to fishtail
Nonrequired passangers should stand ashore during the fueling process