1. Boating Safety Alabama’s Boating Law Boating Terminology
Boat Operation
Trailering
Personal Watercraft Operation
Boating Hazards and Problems

2. Alabama’s Boating Law
The Boating Safety Act of 1994 is known as the Roberson-Archer Act.
Certification is not required for non-motorized vehicles
You must be 14 years of age and passed an approved safety course
Boating Rules-of-the-Road must be followed
BUI laws are exactly like DUI laws. There is a Zero Tolerance policy for underage drinking.

3. Boating Terminology Abeam – Amidship, at a right angle to the keel
Aft – the after section or rear of the vessel
Aground – touching bottom
Amidship – describing the midsection of the vessel
Anchor – a forging or casting grip to hold a boat in a desired location
Astern – toward the stern
Bearing – the direction in which an object is seen
Bilge – the lower internal part of the hull
Bow – the front of a boat’s hull
Capacity Plate – gives the maximum weight an people capacity and the horsepower rating.

4. Boating Terminology
Can Buoy – a can shaped buoy that is green in color, odd numbered, and marks the port side of the channel from seaward
Capsize – to turn over
Carburetor Flame Backfire Arrestor – reduces change of fire on internal combustible engines
Cardinal Points – the four main points on a compass
Chart – a map of a body of water
Come about – to change course
Compass – the instrument that shows the heading of a vessel
Current – the horizontal movement of water
Displacement Hull – type of hull that plows through the water

5. Boating Terminology
Draft – the depth of the vessel below the waterline
Fore – the forward part of the boat
Forward – toward the bow
Freeboard – the vertical distance from the waterline to the gunwale
Give-Way Vessel – the boat that must yield the right-of-way
Gunwale – upper edge of a boat’s side
Hypothermia – the body loses heat faster than it can produce it
Keel – the permanently positioned backbone of the hull
Lee – The side opposite of the wind
Leeward – side turned away from the wind
Lubber’s Line – a mark on the compass the marks the direction of a boat

6. Boating Terminology
Mooring – way in which a vessel permanently anchored in one location
Motorboat – Any watercraft 65’ or less propelled by machinery
Nun Buoy – a conical, red buoy bearing an even number and marking the starboard side of the channel from seaward
PFD – personal flotation device
Planning Hull – type of hull that rides on top of the water
Port – the left side of the boat when you are facing the bow
Privileged Vessel – vessel with the right of way
Rules of the Road – nautical traffic rules for preventing collisions
Scope – the length of the anchor rope (6 to 1)
Stand-On Vessel – the vessel with the right of way

7. Boating Terminology
Starboard – the right side of the boat when facing the bow
Stern – the back of the boat
Tide – the vertical movement of water
Trim – arranging of items in a vessel to allow for appropriate draft
Vessel – any watercraft that can be used for transportation
Wake – moving waves created by a vessel’s movement
Way – movement of a vessel through the water

8. Boat Operation
There are basic rules for safe boating operations. Some hazardous behaviors include: * excessive speed in congested areas or stormy conditions * mooring to a buoy * BUI * operating around swimmers or dams * not looking out properly for hazardous conditions
Red-Right-Returning is an easy way to remember the buoy navigational system. When returning from sea the red buoys will be on the right side of the channel.

9. Boat Operation
The following are required when boating in Alabama: 1. HIN number 2. Coast Guard approved PFDs for every one aboard; they must fit and 8 years and under must be properly wearing them 3. a throwable device 4. fire extinguisher 5. emergency cut-off switch 6. backfire flame arrestor (inboard only) 7. sound warning 8. running lights (white at the stern; green and red at the bow)
When boating you should make sure you have everything you need, always hand equipment into the boat, step into the center of the boat, distribute weight evenly, file a float plan, and check your fuel

10. Trailering
When trailering a boat make sure your trailer can handle the weight of the boat
Trailers are required to have taillights, brake lights, and turn signals
Trailers must be licensed and registered
The length and width of the boat should determine the length and width of the trailer

11. Personal Watercraft Operation
PWC’s have an inboard engine and a jet drive system that makes them safe to fall off and reboard.
They are required to carry the same equipment as any other vessel
The operator must wear their PFD
PWC’s must follow the rules of operation of vessel’s and are subject to regulation by the Marine Police
The operator is responsible for any damage caused by their PWC.

12. Boating Hazards and Problems
Most boating fatalities result from capsizing when people do not have time to get their PFDs on
Most accidents occur in the afternoon, on weekends during the summer, with good weather conditions
If you capsize grab a PFD and stay with the boat
If someone falls overboard throw them a flotation device, keep them in view, kill the motor when beside them, and help them over the stern
If someone needs help while your ashore us Reach, Throw, Row, and Go.
You must report an accident to the Marine Police if a person dies, a person disappears, a person is incapacitated, or property damage more than $50