2. Boater’s Safety Education Alabama Boating Requirements

3. Boating Safely in Alabama Roberson / Archer Act of 1994 requires that anyone 12 years and older that operates a motorized vessel on the water of this State shall obtain a boaters safety certification Roberson / Archer Act of 1994 requires that anyone 12 years and older that operates a motorized vessel on the water of this State shall obtain a boaters safety certification

4. All about Boats Classifications Classifications Motorized vessels are divided into 4 classifications according to length: Class A – Less than 16 feet in length Class A – Less than 16 feet in length Class 1 – 16 feet to less than 26 feet Class 1 – 16 feet to less than 26 feet Class 2 – 26 feet to less than 40 feet Class 2 – 26 feet to less than 40 feet Class 3 – 40 feet to 65 feet Class 3 – 40 feet to 65 feet

5. Recreational Boats Small Utility boats and Jon Boats: Widely used for fishing Widely used for fishing Most made of aluminum Most made of aluminum Powered by outboard engine Powered by outboard engine

6. Recreational Boats Cruisers Larger in size Larger in size Generally start at 18 feet in length and up to 50 or 60 feet Generally start at 18 feet in length and up to 50 or 60 feet

7. Recreational Boats Runabouts: Most are made of fiberglass or aluminum Most are made of fiberglass or aluminum Powered by inboard or outboard engines Powered by inboard or outboard engines

8. Recreational Boats Personal Watercraft: Considered by the U.S. Coast Guard as a Class A Vessel Considered by the U.S. Coast Guard as a Class A Vessel Powered by inboard engine or jet pump Powered by inboard engine or jet pump Subject to the same laws as larger vessels Subject to the same laws as larger vessels

9. Recreational Boats Canoes, Kayaks, and Inflatable's: Mostly powered by paddles and oars Mostly powered by paddles and oars

10. Boat Capacity Plate Mounted in plain site of the vessel operator Mounted in plain site of the vessel operator Tells the operator the following information… Tells the operator the following information… – Maximum number of people it can carry – Maximum weight in pounds – Maximum horsepower for that vessel

11. Parts of a Vessel 1. Beam 2. Freeboard 3. Waterline 4. Draft 5. Propeller 6. Chines 7. Rail 8. Outboard Motor 9. Stern 10. Steering Wheel 11. 1 Combination Light (Red, Green) 12. Windshield 13. Cleat

12. Registration Required for all mechanically propelled vessels Required for all mechanically propelled vessels Reads from left to right Reads from left to right Bold and 3 “ high Bold and 3 “ high Contrasting color Contrasting color Above the water line Above the water line Spaces between letters and numbers Spaces between letters and numbers Decals must be displayed 6 “ from the numbers Decals must be displayed 6 “ from the numbers

13. Equipment Requirements PFD – Personal Flotation Device PFD – Personal Flotation Device Must be U.S Coast Guard Approved Must be U.S Coast Guard Approved Should fit properly Should fit properly

14. Vessels 16 feet or longer 1 approved wearable PFD for each person on board 1 approved wearable PFD for each person on board Plus at least 1 throwable PFD device (Type IV) Plus at least 1 throwable PFD device (Type IV)

15. PFD’s and the law All persons under the age of 8 years old on any vessel, shall wear an approved PFD that remains snapped, clipped, or zipped at all times, except within an enclosed cabin or sleeping quarters. All persons under the age of 8 years old on any vessel, shall wear an approved PFD that remains snapped, clipped, or zipped at all times, except within an enclosed cabin or sleeping quarters.\

16. PFD Type’s 5 Coast Guard approved type’s of PFD’s

17. Equipment Requirements Fire extinguishers Fire extinguishers Classified by Letters and Numbers as to the type and size fire they can put out Classified by Letters and Numbers as to the type and size fire they can put out Most vessels require a Most vessels require a Type B,C – Dry Chemical Extinguisher Type B – Flammable Liquids Type C – Electrical Fires

18. Equipment Requirements Emergency Shut-Off Switch Emergency Shut-Off Switch – Illegal to operate a motorized vessel less than 24 feet with an open cockpit and a motor with more than 50 HP unless it is equipped with an emergency motor shut- off switch

19. Equipment Requirements Backfire Flame Arrestor Backfire Flame Arrestor – Internal Combustion Engines may backfire – All motorboats except outboards and diesels must have a U.S. Coast Guard approved backfire flame arrestor

20. Equipment Requirements Mufflers – – Illegal to operate a motorboat in any manner that exceeds 86 decibels at 50 feet

21. Equipment Requirements Whistles, Horns, and Bells Whistles, Horns, and Bells – Both inland and International rules require all boats to carry some means of an effective sound signal – If your boat is 12 feet or longer you must carry a power whistle, horn or bell.

22. Equipment Requirements Light Requirements for Pleasure Crafts – – All vessels must show running lights between sunset and sunrise and during periods of restricted visibility – – Light Requirements vary from vessel length and propulsion type

23. Light Requirements Anchor Light – all around white light visible for 2 miles Anchor Light – all around white light visible for 2 miles Red Light on the bow shining Left or Port side Red Light on the bow shining Left or Port side Green Light on bow shining right or Starboard side Green Light on bow shining right or Starboard side

24. Navigation Rules Who has the right of way? Meeting Head-On  Each Vessel shall turn to the to the Starboard (right) and pass the other vessel on its Port (Left)

25. Navigation Rules  Crossing Stand on Vessel Holds course and speed Stand on Vessel Holds course and speed

26. GETTING UNDERWAY GETTING UNDERWAY 1. WHEN LOADING A BOAT, YOU SHOULD HAND EQUIPMENT INTO THE BOAT, NOT CARRY IT ABOARD. 2. WHEN LOADING GUEST IN A SMALL BOAT, MAKE SURE THEIR WEIGHT IS DISTRIBUTED EVENLY SIDE TO SIDE AND FORE AND AFT. 3. OVERLOADING A BOAT WILL REDUCE ITS FREEBOARD AND WILL REDUCE STABILITY.

27. GETTING UNDERWAY 4. TO ASSIST IN LOCATING YOUR BOAT SHOULD YOU HAVE A PROBLEM, YOU SHOULD LEAVE A FLOAT PLAN WITH A RESPONSIBLE PERSON ASHORE. 5. BEFORE STARTING THE MOTOR, IF YOU HAVE A POWER VENTILATION SYSTEM, YOU SHOULD TURN ON THE BLOWER FOR A MINUM 4-5 MINUTES.

28. GETTING UNDERWAY 6. WHEN UNDERWAY, THE SKIPPER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SAFETY OF GUEST AND ANY DAMAGE CAUSED BY THEIR WAKE. 7. AN EMERGENCY PROCEDURE TO USE TO KEEP FROM RUNNING AGROUND IN BAD WEATHER OR IN CASE OF ENGINE FAILURE IS TO ANCHOR. 8. YOU SHOULD NEVER ANCHOR BY THE STERN.

29. ACCIDENTS 1. MOST BOATING FATALITIES ARE THE RESULT OF CAPSIZING OR FALLS OVERBOARD. 2. IN A SMALL BOAT, THE ACTION OF PEOPLE ON BOARD HAS A GREAT EFFECT ON STABILITY. 3. IF YOU CAPSIZE, YOU SHOULD IN MOST CASES, STAY WITH THE BOAT. 4. SITTING ON GUNWALES, SEA BACKS OR BOWS WILL MAKE A FALL OVERBOARD MORE LIKELY.

30. ACCIDENTS 5. TO CHANGE POSITIONS IN A SMALL BOAT, KEEP LOW AND HOLD ON TO BOTH SIDES. 6. IF A PERSON FALLS OVERBOARD, THE FIRST STEP IS TO TOSS A LIFESAVING DEVICE. 7. WHEN ALONGSIDE SOMEONE IN THE WATER, YOU SHOULD TURN OF THE MOTOR. 8. TO PREVENT A COLLISION, YOU SHOULD KEEP A SHARP LOOKOUT FOR OTHER BOATS AND FOLLOW THE RULES OF THE ROAD.

31. ACCIDENTS 9. BECAUSE FATIGUE REDUCES YOUR CAPIBILITIES, ON THE WAY HOME, YOU SHOULD SLOW DOWN AND BE EXTRA CAUTIOUS. 10. APPROXIMATELY 90% OF ALL BOATING FATILITIES ARE LISTED AS DROWNING. 11. WHEN HELPING OTHERS, USE EQUIPMENT TO SAVE LIVES, BUT NEVER RISK LIVES TO SAVE EQUIPMENT.

32. ACCIDENTS 12. DROWNPROOFING REQUIRES YOU TO PUT YOUR HEAD UNDERWATER AND IS RECOMMENDED ONLY IN WARM WATER (80 ‘ F) 13. WHEN ASSISTING SOMEONE FROM SHORE, FOLLOW THESE BASIC STEPS IN ORDER: REACH, THROW, ROW AND GO. 14. BEER IS LESS INTOXICATING THAN OTHER ALCOHOLIC DRINKS. FALSE

33. ACCIDENTS 15. A COLD SHOWER, A WALK IN FRESH AIR OR BLACK COFFEE WILL SOBER YOU UP. FALSE 16. WHEN USING PYROTECHNIC DEVICES, A MINUM OF 3 ARE REQUIRED ON FEDERAL WATERS. 17. AFTER A DRINK OR TWO, PEOPLE TEND TO LOOSEN UP, LOOSE THEIR INHIBITIONS AND TRY DARING AND BOLD ACTS ALONG WITH RISKY AND FOOLISH THINGS.

34. ACCIDENTS 18. VISUAL DISTREES SIGNALS ARE REQUIRED IN U.S. COASTAL WATERS. 19. RECREATIONAL BOATS LESS THAN 16 FEET AND SOME OTHERS ARE ONLY REQUIRED TO CARRY VISUAL DISTRESS SIGNALS FOR NIGHT ON FEDERAL WATERS. 20. MOST BOAT FIRES OCCUR JUST AFTER REFUELING.

35. ACCIDENTS 21. WHEN FUELING FROM A PUMP, KEEP THE NOZZLE/SPOUT IN CONTACT WITH THE TANK TO PREVENT STATIC SPARKS. 22. THE THREE ITEMS NECESSARY FOR A FIRE ARE : OXYGEN, FUEL, AND HEAT. 23. IN USING A FIRE EXTENGUISHER, AIM THE AGENT AT THE BASE OF THE FIRE. 24. HYPOTHERMIA IS THE REDUCTION IN CORE BODY HEAT.

36. SPECIAL TOPICS 1. YOU SHOULD ALWAYS CHECK THE WEATHER BEFORE DEPARTING ON A BOAT TRIP. 2. NAUTICAL CHARTS ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE NATIONAL OCEAN AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION (NOAA) OR THROUGH LOCAL MARINE SUPPLIERS. 3. LOW HEAD DAMS ARE DANGEROUS BECAUSE THE WATER CIRCULATION TENDS TO TRAP A BOAT AGAINST THE BASE OF THE DAM AND HOLD IT THERE.

37. SPECIAL TOPICS 4. NAVIGATION LOCKS ARE USED TO TRANSFER FROM ONE WATER LEVEL TO ANOTHER. 5. THE LOCK MASTER CONTROL MOVEMENTS OF VESSELS THROUGH LOCKS. 6. PERSONAL WATERCRAFT ARE SMALL BOATS AND MUST OBEY THE NAVIGATIONAL RULES AND CARRY ALL REQUIRED EQUIPMENT. TRUE.

38. SPECIAL TOPICS 7. THE PROPER DISTRIBUTION OF WEIGHT ON A TRAILER IS TO GET 5% TO 7% OF THE TRAILER WEIGHT ON THE HITCH. 8. WHEN WATER SKIING, YOU SHOULD HAVE AND MANY STATES THE LAW REQUIRES, A MINIMUM OF 2 PEOPLE IN THE SKI BOAT WHILE PULLING A SKIER.

39. SPECIAL TOPICS 9. THE LAW REQUIRES AN APPROVED PFD ON BOARD FOR EVERYONE, INCLUDING THE SKIER. SKI BELTS ARE NOT COAST GUARD APPROVED. 10. TO STEER A PERSONAL WATERCRAFT YOU MUST KEEP POWER ON THE CRAFT. 11. WHEN DIVING YOU SHOULD DISPLAY, EITHER ON A BOAT OR A FLOAT, THE DIVERS DOWN FLAG.

40. SPECIAL TOPICS 12. IF YOU OVERTURN A CANOE IN MOVING WATER, ALWAYS STAY ON THE UP SIDE TO KEEP FROM BEING CRUSHED.