1. United States Coast Guard Auxiliary America’s Volunteer Lifesavers
Flotilla 14-8 Jacksonville, Florida
Website
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2. You Work Hard For Your R & R
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3. You Play Hard When You Get It
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4. But Don’t Let An Accident, Or A Ticket
Have Fun Boating
But Don’t Let An Accident, Or A Ticket
Ruin Your Special Day!
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5. Doesn’t Happen by Accident
Boating Safety-
Doesn’t Happen by Accident
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6. But Accidents Do Happen By Not Boating Safely!
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7. We Want To Talk About Boating Safely
So Your Day Ends As Happily As It Began!
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8. MOST ACCIDENTS ARE PREVENTABLE !
1% Weather
10% Equipment
Most Accidents Are Preventable!
Nearly all boating accidents are the result of human error and thus are preventable. The warning signs are usually there but often go unrecognized or ignored. The best way to handle a boating emergency is to reduce the chance of an emergency happening before it occurs.
Even accidents attributed to the environment most likely could have been prevented if the operator had paid attention to the warning signals, made good decisions and had proper boating skills. Many accidents attributed to equipment could also have been prevented if proper maintenance and/or defect detection had taken place.
89% Human Error
Accident Pyramid
Florida as of Oct. 2009
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9. Florida 2008 Stats 54 Fatalities Leading Cause of Death
Drowning: 70%
Alcohol: 28%
Most likely time for accident
March, April & May
57%, vessels less than 17 feet in length
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10. Florida 2008 Stats Most fatal accident victims were males (70%)
72% boat operators involved in boating accidents had no formal boating education
929 vessels & 29 swimmers were involved in 386 injuries.
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11. A Surprising Fact About Boating Fatalities
One of the highest statistical groups in boating fatalities:
Considered “Mature”
“Many Years of Boating Experience”
A Swimmer
He’s Alone on A Small Boat
So What Kills Him?
Courtesy on the Water
This slide seems out of place.
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12. Personal Watercraft Stats
Personal Watercraft (PWC) account for 13% of all registered vessels
PWCs were involved in 25% of accidents Popular singer Sean Kingston hit a bridge in Miami while operating a Jet Ski
59% of PWC accidents involved a collision with another vessel.
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13. Personal Watercraft Stats
76% of PWC accidents due to careless or reckless operation
Suddenly trottling down eliminates the vessels ability to steer
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14. FLORIDA EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
BOAT OPERATORS
BORN ON OR AFTER JAN. 1, 1988 MUST:
PASS BOATING SAFETY EXAMINATION
HAVE STATE EDUCATION COURSE CARD
HAVE PHOTO ID
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15. FLORIDA EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
Law Enforcement Officers Take Boating Education Seriously
You Can Take A Course Online,
Or In An Instructor Taught One Day Class
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16. BOATING STRESSORS INCREASE RISK
Glare and heat of the sun
Motion
Noise
Vibration
Many boaters underestimate effects
Boating Stressors Increase Risk
Natural boating stressors include:
Glare and the heat of the sun.
Motion caused by wind and waves.
Noise caused by wind and waves.
Vibration of the boat caused by wind and waves.
These stressors have a large impact on your body that you may not even be aware of. They make you tire more rapidly on the water, regardless of your age or fitness level.
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17. AVOID DEHYDRATION Avoid by drinking plenty of water
Good rule of thumb – one quart per hour
Avoid Dehydration
Be careful not to become overheated. A typical day on the water in the summer causes your body to generate excessive heat. Limit your exposure to the sun’s rays. Be aware that as you ride in a PWC or boat your automatically adjusts to the position of the vessel, and your body heat will increase as a result.
The body rids itself of heat by sweating. Dehydration can occur if fluids are not replaced. Dehydration will make you more fatigued and more at risk for a boating accident. The best way to minimize the risk of dehydration is to drink plenty of water both before you go out and while on the water.
A good rule of thumb is to drink one quart of fluids per hour.
Besides thirst other signs of dehydration are dizziness, nausea, sleepiness, irritability and headaches. The first thing you should do if you experience any of these symptoms is to drink plenty of water. Serious dehydration may require medical attention.
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18. ALCOHOL AND BOATING DON’T MIX
Effects of alcohol increased by stressors, dehydration
Alcohol depresses the central nervous system
Reaction time
Judgment
Don’t drink and boat
Alcohol and Boating Don’t Mix
Drinking while boating is a choice. The best way to minimize the chance of an accident caused by alcohol is to make the choice – Don’t Drink and Boat. Research has shown that one third of the amount of alcohol it takes to make a person legally intoxicated on the road can make a boater legally intoxicated on the water.
The effect of alcohol is increased by the natural stressors placed on your body by boating.
The dehydration of your body, caused by the natural stressors, causes alcohol to be more quickly absorbed into your system.
Always designate a non drinking boater to operate the boat and one to act as an observer, if your group is going to consume alcohol.
Alcohol makes it difficult for you to pay attention, especially to multiple tasks. For example, it will be more difficult for you to keep track of two or more boats in your area. This could become critical if you are placed in an emergency situation and are required to make an instantaneous decision.
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19. ALCOHOL AND BOATING DON’T MIX
Standard for BWI: 0.08% BAC
Under age 21 BWI: 0.02% BAC
Alcohol and Boating Don’t Mix
Drinking while boating is a choice. The best way to minimize the chance of an accident caused by alcohol is to make the choice – Don’t Drink and Boat. Research has shown that one third of the amount of alcohol it takes to make a person legally intoxicated on the road can make a boater legally intoxicated on the water.
The effect of alcohol is increased by the natural stressors placed on your body by boating.
The dehydration of your body, caused by the natural stressors, causes alcohol to be more quickly absorbed into your system.
Always designate a non drinking boater to operate the boat and one to act as an observer, if your group is going to consume alcohol.
Alcohol makes it difficult for you to pay attention, especially to multiple tasks. For example, it will be more difficult for you to keep track of two or more boats in your area. This could become critical if you are placed in an emergency situation and are required to make an instantaneous decision.
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20. COMMON BOATING ACCIDENTS
Falling Overboard
Don’t sit on the gunwale
Don’t stand up in a small boat
Don’t move about when underway
Don’t lean out of the boat
Accidents
Falling overboard:
Can be prevented.
Do not sit on the gunwale while the boat is moving.
Always stay seated while underway.
Keep all parts of your body in the boat while underway.
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21. COMMON BOATING ACCIDENTS
Capsizing and Swamping
Don’t overload the boat
Controlled turns
Anchor from bow only
Stay with boat
Try to re-board
Accidents, continued
Boating fatalities are usually not weather related. Fatalities usually occur in open boats on inland waters in the afternoon when the weather and visibility are goods and the winds and water are calm. U.S. Coast Guard statistics show that about 90% of all boating fatalities occur as a result of these types of accidents:
Capsizing and Swamping.
Falling Overboard.
Collisions.
Fire Emergencies.
Running Aground.
Capsizing and Swamping
Capsizing is when a boat turns on its side or completely over. Swamping is when a boat fills with water. Either could put you at risk of injury, drowning or hypothermia. Follow these guidelines to minimize the risk of capsizing or swamping:
Don’t overload your boat. Balance the load of all passengers and gear.
Turn your boat at controlled speeds.
Anchor from the bow only, NEVER from the stern.
If you do swamp or capsize, stay with the boat and try to re-board the boat. Your swamped boat will be easier to find and will show that you are in trouble.
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22. PWC WATERCRAFT REGULATIONS
PWC OPERATORS MUST BE
14 YEAR OF AGE AND OLDER
MUST BE 18 YEARS OF AGE TO RENT A PWC
STATE BOATERS EDUCATION CARD
& PHOTO I. D.
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23. LIFE JACKETS
You need to have one Life Jacket for each person on board.
The Life Jacket must be appropriate to the size of the person wearing it
Read Slide
display our sample
If time allows put it on.
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24. TYPE III: PROTECTED WATERS
15.5 LBS BUOYANCY
WILL NOT TURN UNCONSCIOUS PERSON FACE UP
Required for PWC & WATER SKIERS
SPEED RATING
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25. TYPE III/V: INFLATABLE PFD
THE BEST LIFE JACKET IS ONE THAT YOU WILL WEAR!
Inflatables are light, cool and comfortable to wear
MANUAL OR AUTOMATIC (Automatic inflatables should not be used on small boats)
NOT FOR WATER SPORTS They will only be counted if worn
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26. TYPE IV: THROWABLE AID BOATS 16 FT AND OVER
THROWABLE Not Recommended to have a line attached
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27. Fires Onboard Causes Electrical
Fuel Lines Leaking or Spills While Fueling Make sure that you ventilate for 4 to 5 minutes after fueling
Gas Stoves
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28. Coast Guard Approved Type “B” Required on Vessels
FIRE EXTINGUISHERS
Coast Guard Approved Type “B” Required on Vessels
Fire Extinguishers
Federal regulations mandate that all vessels have the appropriate type and number of fire extinguishers onboard. These extinguishers should be charged and easily accessible. More information on fire extinguishers is contained in the following slides.
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29. FIRE EXTINGUISHERS
INSPECT MONTHLY
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30. NAVIGATION LIGHTS
Lights Are Not to Help You See at Night, but Rather to Help Others See You!
Sunset To Sunrise
Restricted Visibility
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31. LIGHTS – POWER DRIVEN BASIC MODIFIED Red & Green BOW ALL AROUND WHITE
SIDE LIGHTS
MAST HEAD
STERN
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32. LIGHTS – SAILBOAT
POWER & SAIL SAIL ONLY
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33. PWC LIGHTS NO LIGHTS ALLOWED NO NIGHT OPERATION
FROM 30 MIN AFTER SUNSET
TO 30 MIN BEFORE SUNRISE
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34. SMALL BOAT LIGHT SHINE LIGHT ON ROWBOAT NOT AT ONCOMING BOAT
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35. SMALL SAIL BOAT SHINE LIGHT ON SAILS NOT AT ONCOMING BOAT 11/20/2018

36. Visual Distress Signals
REQUIRED ON COASTAL WATERS
RECOMMENDED EVERY WHERE
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37. Visual Distress Signals
REQUIRED ON COASTAL WATERS
Night - All Vessels
Day Light – All Vessels Except:
Pleasure boats less than 16’ in length.
Open non-motorized sailboats < 26’.
Manually propelled boats.
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38. Visual Distress Signals
TWO TYPES
PYROTECHNIC – Need at least 3
42 MONTH LIFE
Check The Expiration Date
NON-PYROTECHNIC
Lights
Flags
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39. Visual Distress Signals
PYROTECHNIC DEVICES USCG APPROVED
HAND HELD RED FLARES
RED METEOR
PARACHUTE METEOR
ORANGE SMOKE
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40. Visual Distress Signals
NON – PYROTECHNIC USCG APPROVED
AUTOMATIC SOS FLASHLIGHT
ORANGE FLAG WITH BLACK SYMBOLS
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41. Other VSDs Arm signal Not USCG approved Use if no other Other VSDs
While not a U.S. Coast Guard approved VSD, the use of arm signals can also be employed to summon help. Use this action if you do not have any other visual distress signals available. Extend your arms out to the side from the shoulder and move up and down in a +/- 40° arc.
The orange flag that is contained in most VSD kits can be used during daylight hours.
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42. CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING
Symptoms
Dizziness, nausea, headache
unconscious
Prevention
Maintain fresh air flow through boat
DO NOT run an engine when swimming
Install a Carbon Monoxide detector
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
It is a colorless, odorless gas that can kill. It is a byproduct of all internal combustion engines, generators, heaters and stoves that use carbon-based fuels.
Recognize the symptoms of CO poisoning:
Dizziness.
Nausea.
Headache.
Loss of motion.
Ringing in the ears.
Unconsciousness.
To prevent CO poisoning:
Maintain a fresh air flow through entire boat, especially when running downwind.
Install one or more CO detectors.
Do not run your generator when swimming.
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43. Float Plans Complete description of boat
Emergency contact information
Destination and expected return
Detailed trip legs
Number & Names of passengers
Notify plan holder upon return or
change of plans.
Download at
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44. Fueling Safely 1/3rd RULE 1/3rd to go out 1/3rd to return
1/3rd for safety
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45. DSC Digital Selective Calling (DSC)
A major upgrade to the International
safety radio system
Marine VHF & SSB radios with digital selective calling (DSC)
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46. DSC
Each radio programmed with a unique “Maritime Mobile Service Identity” (MMSI) number.
To Register and Get your MMSI Number
Connect radio to a GPS.
Press & hold the DISTRESS button.
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47. DSC
After an emergency call the radio automatically returns to Channel 16 VHF or 2182 kHz SSB for voice communication.
Vessel operator should initiate a regular voice distress call so that other vessels not equipped with DSC receivers may know of the distress.
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48. Check Clearance
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49. Trailering Safely continued
SECURE BOAT TO TRAILER
Trailering Safely continued
Before getting on the road tie down anything that could go “bump in the night”. This includes gear, fuel cans, rods and reels, food, etc.
Make sure the boat is secured to the trailer using tie downs.
Tilt the engine or outdrive and secure with a bracket. This will give you extra ground clearance and keep your expensive outdrive or engine from being damaged.
Check to make sure your trailer brakes work.
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50. PROPER TRAILER HITCH
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51. How to Avoid Problems/Accidents
Brief Passengers
Where is safety equipment located
How to operate safety equipment
How to operate the Marine radio
Importance of wearing PFDs Ask them to put it on and adjust it to fit
Children under 6 must be in PFDs!
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52. How to Avoid Problems/Accidents
Keep your boat properly maintained
Always watch the weather
Check the weather forecast before you go out!
You may be liable if anyone on your boat is hurt or killed
Avoid alcoholic drinks
Bring water/juices for people to drink
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53. How to Avoid Problems/Accidents
Take a Boating Safety Course
Florida Boater Education ID Card
Include everyone in the family, bring a buddy
or call
Get a FREE vessel safety inspection
Go to:
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54. Conclusion This is not how you want to end your boating day 11/20/2018

55. Questions It’s Much Better This Way! Thank You Boat Safely!
United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 14-8
SafeBoatingJax.com
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