1. Copyright 2005 - Coast Guard Auxiliary Association, Inc.
Chapter 4
Operating Your Vessel...Safely
Instructor Notes:
Ask: What are some of the things responsible boat owners will need to know, regarding “operating your vessel safely?
Look for these replies:
Handling the boat properly
Treat others on the water with courtesy
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2. Operating Your Vessel…Safely
Loading gear and passengers
Boat Handling
Courtesy on the water
Casting off – docking – anchoring
PWC specific safety 1 2 3 4 5
Instructor Notes:
This chapter provides an overview of these important topics.
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3. Load Gear & Passengers Properly
Instructor Notes:
Ask: What are some things to consider when loading gear and people aboard your boat?
Get some discussion on the question before proceeding to next slide
Classroom aid: Use a white board or flip chart to write down answers. Compare with items listed on the next slide.
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Safe Loading
Keep centered in small boats
“One hand for you, one hand for the boat”
Load gear from the dock
Trim: engine and gear
Never overload 1 2 4 5
Instructor Notes:
Ask: Why are these important? What could be the result of not heeding these suggestions?
ASK: What would happen if you loaded people or gear into a small boat by stepping on the gunwale? 6
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How Boats Handle
Displacement mode 1
Instructor Notes:
Ask: Will your boat handle the same at all speeds?
Boat Speed
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How Boats Handle
Plowing Mode 2
Instructor Notes:
Ask: What is the safety consideration in this mode?
Indicate the pointing arrow.
Boat Speed
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How Boats Handle
Planning Mode 3
Instructor Notes:
Discuss the effects of the boat while planing.
Boat Speed
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Power Trim
Standard on most outboards and I/O 1 In 2
Neutral
Instructor Notes:
Ask: Why is trim so important?
Trimming in: lowers the bow- provides quicker planing, and better ride in chop
Neutral trim: generally increases efficiency
Trimming out: Lifts bow, increases speed, but bouncy 3
Out 4
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Maneuvering
Turning
Slow, controlled speed
Backing
Slowly, stern may veer
Stopping
Requires distance
Slowly!
Avoid stern wave 1 2 3
Instructor Notes:
Ask: What could happen if turns were made at a high rate of speed?
Capsize, or eject passengers.
Ask: Why should you always back the boat slowly?
Too fast may swamp the boat.
Ask: What safety issues are involved in stopping your boat?
May require several times the boat length
Too fast may swamp your boat
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Running Into Waves
Instructor Notes:
Ask: Why is the middle picture the correct way to run into a wave?
Reply: Most comfortable angle; dangers of head on approach; boat can roll if in the trough.
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Running Before Waves
Requires:
Throttle modulation steering control 1
Instructor Notes:
Ask: Why is running with the waves a challenge?
Reply: Boat can “ski” down the wave face causing it to pitchpole.
Ask: What is thebest way to handle your boat?
Reply:
Use engine power and speed adjustments to stay on the backside of the wave.
Heavy, slow displacement boats, slow down and let the wave pass under you.
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12. Running Parallel To Waves
Can cause broaching
Cross wakes with care
Warn passengers 1 2 3
Instructor Notes:
Ask: What is the best angle to take waves and wakes?
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Courtesy on the Water
What does courtesy on the water mean? 1
Instructor Notes:
Ask: the question on the slide.
Replies should include:
You are responsible for wake and any damage it may cause.
Operate at safe speed.
Keep a safe distance from other boats or people in the water.
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14. Casting Off Wind On Dock1 2 3
wind or
current
Instructor Notes:
Ask: for a volunteer to describe casting off with wind/current on the dock.
Release stern line – leave bow spring line on
Put into “forward gear”
Boat stern will edge out
Release bow spring line and back out
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15. Casting Off Wind Off Dock1 2 3
wind or
current
Instructor Notes:
Ask: for a volunteer to describe casting off with wind/current off the dock.
Release lines
Push boat away
Shift into Forward and ease away
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Docking
Preparing to dock, you should…..? 1
Instructor Notes:
Ask: the question on the slide.
Responses:
What is the direction of the wind/current?
Are fenders out?
Are docklines ready?
SLOW approach
Remind that hands and arms should never be used to fend off.
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No Wind Or Current 1 2 3
Instructor Notes:
Ask: what steps are being done here to dock the boat?
Responses:
Slow approach
Narrow angle
Step off and secure bow/stern lines
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18. Wind Or Current Off Dock
Outboard or stern drive 1
wind or
current 1 2 3
Instructor Notes:
Ask: for a volunteer to describe docking with wind/current off the dock.
Sharp angle of approach
Bow line is secured
Turn helm hard over towards the dock
Engine in reverse to bring stern in.
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19. Tying To Floats And Piers1
bow line
bow line 4 2
spring lines
spring lines 5
Instructor Notes:
Ask: What do these lines do?
Response:
Bow and stern lines keep boat from moving away from dock
Spring lines prevent boat from moving forward and back.
Ask: What effect will tides have on docklines?
Discuss setting the lines so that the boat can move with the tides.
stern line 3 6
stern line
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20. Chafing Gear Prevents Line Wear
Can be cloth, rubber, leather, or plastic
Old garden hose works 1 2
chock
chafing gear
Instructor Notes:
Ask: When would you use the chafing gear?
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Anchors
Which anchor is for you? 1
Instructor Notes:
Ask: The “right” anchor for you depends on what factors?
Responses:
Size and shape of boat
Type of seabed
Anchoring for lunch or an emergency?
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Anchor Types
Lightweight
(Danforth Type) 1
Single Fluke
Instructor Notes:
Anchor design determines an anchor’s ability to hook the bottom.
Discuss the different charcteristics of these types of anchors.
Ask: What types they feel are best for their boat and boating area?
Plow 3 2
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Anchor Types
Grapnel
Mushroom 1 2
Instructor Notes:
Discuss the different characteristics of these types of anchors.
Ask: What types they feel are best for their boat and boating area.
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Anchoring Guidelines
Why use chain?
What is scope? 1 2
Instructor Notes:
Discuss the two questions:
Responses:
Chain help keeps the anchor flukes flat.
Scope is the ratio of rode length to the depth of water.
Classroom aid: bring a small anchor and rode to demonstrate how the scope will keep the anchor flat.
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Anchoring Guidelines
Normal scope 7:1
Calm seas 5:1
Heavy weather 10:1 1 2 3
Instructor Notes:
Ask: Why is more scope needed in heavy weather?
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Setting Anchor
What are the steps involved? 1
Instructor Notes:
Ask: the question on the chart.
Discuss:
Select sheltered area
Approach into wind/current
Slowly lower anchor
Pay out scope while backing down
Make line fast; back down to set
Check for drift using landmarks
Why is it unwise to anchor from the stern?
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Allow “Swing” Room
wind
Instructor Notes:
Ask: Why is this important?
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Retrieving Anchor
What are the steps? 1
Instructor Notes:
Ask: the question
Discuss:
Slowly move ahead while pulling in line.
If anchor sticks, power around in a circle.
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29. Operating Personal Watercraft
How are PWCs different from powered boats? 1
Instructor Notes:
Discuss:
Steering provided by moving a nozzle
Thrust is required to steer
No power = no steering control
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30. Operating Personal Watercraft
What courtesies should PWC operators show? 1
Instructor Notes:
Ask: the question.
Discuss:
No wake jumping
Do not operate close to others
Minimize noise
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Do Not Pass Close
Instructor Notes:
Discuss this situation pointing out that because the PWC is low in the water it is sometimes hard to see what is on the other side of the boat.
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32. Operating Personal Watercraft
What are some environmental concerns? 1
Instructor Notes:
Ask: the question
Discuss:
Do not operate in less than 2 feet of water – can damage vegetation and PWC
Wake near shore causes erosion
Do not chase wildlife
Re-fuel without spills
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33. Other PWC Considerations
Observe state laws
Always wear your PFD
Inspect your watercraft frequently
Keep hands and feet away from pump intake
Do not exceed capacity ratings
Know your limits
Ride according to your ability 1 2 3 4 5
Instructor Notes:
Discuss bullets on page 6 7
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Capsized PWC
Know how to right the PWC properly
Read the owners manual 1 2
Instructor Notes:
It’s a good idea to practice this with someone else around, to see if you can do this alone.
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Capsized PWC
Decals on stern show direction of rotation 1
Instructor Notes:
Discuss the positioning of the decal.
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Capsized PWC
Decals on stern show direction of rotation 1
Instructor Notes:
Discuss the positioning of the decal.
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37. Copyright 2005 - Coast Guard Auxiliary Association, Inc.
Safety Lanyards
Attached to operator or PFD 1
Instructor Notes:
For PWCs this is a requirement. For other powerboat operators, a safety lanyard attached to the operator is strongly recommended.
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Chapter 4 Review
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Review Exercises
Under normal conditions, the recommended scope of an anchor line should be approximately:
25:1
15:1
7:1
2:1 1 a b c d
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Review Exercises
A spring line is a dock line that:
has an inner core of stretchy elastic material.
keeps a boat from moving ahead or astern.
is only used in March, April, and May.
holds the boat directly to the pier at amidships. 2 a b c d
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Review Exercises
The correct anchor for your boat will depend not only on the size and type of your boat but on the:
cost (always purchase the cheapest anchor available).
size and length of your anchor rode.
types of seabed and amount of wind and current you expect to encounter.
location (bow or stern) from which you anchor. 3 a b c d
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42. Copyright 2005 - Coast Guard Auxiliary Association, Inc.
Review Exercises
You can ease the shock on both boat and crew when running into waves by slowing down and:
taking the waves at an angle to the bow, not head-on.
turning the boat broadside to the waves for stability.
taking the waves head-on and not at an angle.
instruct all passengers to stand up in the boat. 4 a b c d
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Review Exercises
Never anchor a boat from the stern alone because:
when windy, waves may come over the transom and swamp the boat.
the bow should always be pointing away from the wind.
it is difficult to adjust the rode for proper scope.
it is difficult to bring persons over the bow in an emergency. 5 a b c d
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44. Copyright 2005 - Coast Guard Auxiliary Association, Inc.
Review Exercises
When docking and undocking your boat it is desirable to plan the procedure in advance and:
always operate your boat at cruising speed.
give instructions in a loud authoritative tone so that crew will know who is in charge.
approach slowly against the wind or current for more control of your boat.
teach the crew how to keep the boat away from the pier using their arms and legs. 6 a b c d
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45. Copyright 2005 - Coast Guard Auxiliary Association, Inc.
Review Exercises
Which of the following statements is true?
PWCs do not disturb the ecology of the water bottom.
Wake from PWCs will not contribute to shoreline erosion.
Noise from PWCs never disturbs bird life.
As when operating any boat, having consideration for others is most important when operation a PWC. 7 a b c d
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46. Copyright 2005 - Coast Guard Auxiliary Association, Inc.
Review Exercises
Because of their different operating characteristics, some states consider PWCs to be a special type of boat and have special regulations for them. As a PWC owner or operator you must:
carry a copy of the rules of the special PWC Rules Commission on board.
know the special Navigation Rules that apply only to PWCs.
follow the rules established by the National Boating Association.
be aware of and abide by all laws governing the use of personal watercraft in your area. 8 a b c d
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Review Exercises
Steering a PWC involves turning a movable nozzle that directs a high pressure stream of water either right or left, turning the boat to one side or the other. It is important to know that a PWC will turn only when the:
engine is turning at least 4000 rpm.
jet pump is operating and pushing a stream of water.
two rudders are in contact with the water.
special steering pump is activated. 9 a b c d
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Review Exercises
A PWC lanyard cut-off switch when fastened to your wrist will:
keep your signal whistle where it can be found.
alert you when you are running too fast.
stop the engine when you fall off.
remind you to always wear you life preserver. 10 a b c d
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Review Exercises
Because the Coast Guard recognizes personal watercraft as full fledged boats:
operators must adhere to the same rules and regulations as large boats
a PWC must show its navigation lights when used after dark.
PWCs usually have priority of movement in meeting and crossing situations.
PWCs are exempt from all boating rules and regulations. 11 a b c d
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Review Exercises
Constantly watch the wake of your boat, because:
it can disturb the smooth operation of personal watercraft.
your wake must never be more than three inches high.
you are responsible for injuries or damage to property caused by the wake of you boat.
you may see beautiful colors created by the oxidation of phosphorus in the water. 12 a b c d
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51. Copyright 2005 - Coast Guard Auxiliary Association, Inc.
End Chapter 4
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