Chapter
VI - Operations Section
1a - Operator Responsibility |
|||||
|
Operations Operator Responsibility It is the skipper’s responsibility to take charge of and to ensure the safety of his crew and his passengers. This means reviewing emergency equipment and procedures including:
Inform your crew and passengers of the rules of safe boating and try to insure that at least one other person aboard is capable of operating the vessel in the event of an emergency. You should explain and/or demonstrate the following:
Courtesy Every one who uses or enjoys the waterways of our country, whether boating, walking along the shoreline or actually living on the water’s edge, has the same rights to enjoy the tranquillity of the water. Boaters should respect the rights of others who live or play on the shoreline. You should not disturb private property owners by docking on their land. You should be careful of the amount of wake that you are leaving when operating close to shore. You are responsible for any damage you cause with your wake. Control your speed and obey speed limit signs. Because sound carries farther over water than land, especially at night, you should keep voices, music and other noises to a minimum if anchored near a waterfront property. Controlling boat noise Part of being a courteous boater includes controlling your boats noise. All motorboats should be equipped with an efficient muffler, underwater exhaust or other device which adequately muffles or suppresses the engine's exhaust. No motorboat should be allowed to produce excessive or unusual noise, and no motor should be equipped with any cutout. Controlling boat speed All boaters should use caution and operate within the posted limits of speed. You should also be aware that under certain conditions including heavy traffic, low visibility or extreme weather conditions you must operate at a safe speed according to the conditions. Control your waste Pollution laws prohibit throwing refuse into the water. Carry bags aboard and dispose of waste and garbage properly. If you see floating refuse in the water, take the time to pick it up and dispose of it upon returning to shore. Many bodies of water have no-discharge regulations in effect. Check with state/local authorities regarding specific pollution regulations in effect in the area you plan to boat. Careless, reckless, or negligent operation It is also the responsibility of the operator to refrain from careless, reckless, or negligent operations on the water. Failure to operate a boat in a safe manner could endanger life, or property of other persons. Again, be courteous and exercise caution. Use common sense. If it doesn’t make sense to do something on land it probably doesn’t make sense to do it on the water. Would you ride on the hood of your car or hang out of the window when underway? Of course not, that wouldn’t be safe. So don’t allow passengers to ride or sit on the bow, stern or sides of the boat while underway. State and local regulations determine how close to shore, a swimming area or other vessels you can operate. You should be aware of, and obey, speed limits and no-wake zones. Check state/local laws for these regulations prior to boating on an unfamiliar body of water. Observing and operating in accordance with homeland security measures In light of new security measures brought about by the events of September 11, 2001, it is critical that all boaters be aware of and comply with new homeland security measures set forth by federal, state and local governments. These should include, but are not limited to, keeping a safe prescribed distance from military and commercial ships and avoiding commercial port operations areas, observing all security zones, following guidelines for appropriate conduct such as not stopping or anchoring beneath bridges or in a channel, and observing and reporting suspicious activity to proper authorities. 100-Yard-Approach WARNING! Do not approach within 100 yards of any U.S. naval vessel . If you need to pass within 100 yards of a U.S. naval vessel in order to ensure a safe passage in accordance with the Navigation Rules, you must contact the U.S. naval vessel or the Coast Guard escort vessel on VHF-FM channel 16. You must operate at minimum speed within 500 yards of any U.S. naval vessel and proceed as directed by the Commanding Officer or the official patrol .
Homeland Security Boaters Can Help Keep Our Waterways Safe and Secure...
Keep a sharp eye out for anything that looks peculiar or out of the ordinary. Report all activities that seem suspicious to the local authorities, the Coast Guard and the port or marina security. Do not approach or challenge those acting in a suspicious manner. Safer boaters help reduce public demands by permitting Marine Patrols to focus their limited resources on Homeland Security. For more information on security zones and how you can help, call the Coast Guard at 800-368-5647 or go to the USCG website at http://www.uscgboating.org
< Previous
Page
|
||||
|
For more Boating Articles, Tips, and Information visit BoatSafe.com Want to carry essential boating safety information on board? |
|||||
Keep your distance from all military, cruise line, or commercial shipping! Do not approach within 100-yards, and slow to minimum speed within 500-yards of any U.S. naval vessel. Violators of the Naval Vessel Protection Zone face 6 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, not to mention a quick and severe response. Approaching certain other commercial vessels may result in an immediate boarding.
