Copyright Coast Guard Auxiliary Association, Inc. 1 CHAPTER 7 Enjoying Water Sports With Your Boat

Copyright Coast Guard Auxiliary Association, Inc. 2 RESPONSIBILITIES: TO YOUR PASSENGERS Location of safety equipment Location & use of PFDs Local laws and regulations Safety procedures How to signal for help or use the marine radio Risks of drinking alcoholic beverages

Copyright Coast Guard Auxiliary Association, Inc. 3 RESPONSIBILITIES: OTHER OPERATORS Responsible for others who operate your boat or PWC: Meet legal age & education requirements Know basic boating safety & navigation rules Know how to use ignition safety switch lanyard Know importance of observing “idle speed” or “slow-no wake” restriction Understand the importance of staying alert

Copyright Coast Guard Auxiliary Association, Inc. 4 PWC OPERATORS Ensure that PWC operators know: PWC is a boat, subject to same rules. How to steer & control the PWC How to use safety lanyards To look around before turning To take first ride in uncongested area. Deepwater righting & re-boarding.

Copyright Coast Guard Auxiliary Association, Inc. 5 Boaters should be alert near designated swimming areas Swimmers should not swim outside these areas Watch out for inflatable toys SWIMMING

Copyright Coast Guard Auxiliary Association, Inc. 6 SWIMMING Swimmers should Be aware of current Never dive into an unknown depth or swim alone Know how to reboard boat

Copyright Coast Guard Auxiliary Association, Inc. 7 DIVING & SNORKELING Boaters: Be able to recognize “diver down” flag Watch for bubbles breaking surface 300 ft offshore, 100 ft in shore Divers: Always fly “diver down” flag Avoid overloading Anchor from bow

Copyright Coast Guard Auxiliary Association, Inc. 8 WATER SKIING Observer or Wide angle mirror (Required in Florida). Review hand signals. Skier wearing appropriate PFD. Know location of local hazards, shallow water.

Copyright Coast Guard Auxiliary Association, Inc. 9

10 WATER SKIING Tow line at least 75 feet Always keep distance from shore/hazards at least twice that length Tow lines same length for multiple skiers Never ski at night

Copyright Coast Guard Auxiliary Association, Inc. 11 While towing: Adjust speed according to skier signals Avoid congested or hazardous areas Maintain a lookout Always respond to skier signals Signal turns in advance WATER SKIING

Copyright Coast Guard Auxiliary Association, Inc. 12 WATER SKIING When skier down, circle slowly, keep in view, operator side of boat Shut off engine to avoid propeller injuries when getting in/out of water

Copyright Coast Guard Auxiliary Association, Inc. 13 SAILING Give sailboats lots of space Usually the stand-on boat Small sailboats more prone to capsizing Always wear PFDs Beware of hypothermia Stay off water during storms, high winds Remember that masts conduct lightning & need to be grounded

Copyright Coast Guard Auxiliary Association, Inc. 14 SAILING Carry a flashlight at night Sailboats with engines must have lighting same as power boat Pay special attention to mast clearance Power lines, bridges Take a certified sailing course

Copyright Coast Guard Auxiliary Association, Inc. 15 PADDLECRAFT Paddleboards, Kayaks, and Canoes are increasingly showing in boating accident and death reports Frequently the victims were not wearing life jackets JSO On Scene at A Paddleboard Death, December 2014 St Johns River

Copyright Coast Guard Auxiliary Association, Inc. 16 Most endangered boater on water Slow down near fishing boats Don’t run over lines Mind your wake FISHING

Copyright Coast Guard Auxiliary Association, Inc. 17 FISHING Anglers: Follow all safe boating rules Pay attention to capacity plate, don’t overload Wear your PFD Properly dispose of fishing line on shore & not in water

Copyright Coast Guard Auxiliary Association, Inc. 18 Small, flat-bottom boats more prone to capsizing Distribute gear evenly; Don’t overload Guard against hypothermia Wear PFD at all times HUNTING

Copyright Coast Guard Auxiliary Association, Inc. 19 HUNTING Always check weather Stay close to shore Don’t shoot until boat has stopped Follow all safe boating rules Firearms transported unloaded

Copyright Coast Guard Auxiliary Association, Inc. 20 END CHAPTER 7

Copyright Coast Guard Auxiliary Association, Inc. 21 Chapter 7 Review

Copyright Coast Guard Auxiliary Association, Inc As the owner of a PWC, you may be held liable for any damage caused by it _____. a. unless you have explained the “slow-no wake” restrictions. b. unless the operator is over 21. c. regardless of who is operating it. d. unless you have explained how to use the lanyard of the ignition safety switch. Review Exercises

Copyright Coast Guard Auxiliary Association, Inc A water skier on Florida waters may legally: a. Be towed two hours after sunset with proper lighting. b. Be towed behind a boat equipped with a wide-angle rearview mirror designed so that the operator can observe the skier. c. Ski while wearing an inflatable PFD. d. Ski close to another person to spray them. Review Exercises

Copyright Coast Guard Auxiliary Association, Inc When picking up a water skier, always keep them in view and on the ______ side of the boat. a. Port b. Starboard c. operator’s d. downwind Review Exercises

Copyright Coast Guard Auxiliary Association, Inc Hunters who use boats to get to a bird blind or as a shooting platform should: a. not be concerned about boating laws and safety rules because they are not pleasure boaters. b. understand and abide by all federal and state laws, and practice all boating safety rules. c. not worry about boating safety because they are normally in very sheltered waters. d. use as small a boat as possible, which will allow them to get into tight places. Review Exercises

Copyright Coast Guard Auxiliary Association, Inc As a boat operator you have responsibilities regarding the environment. Which is one over which you don’t have direct control: a. The practice of the three R’s – Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. b. Protection of the shoreline from erosion and preservation of aquatic vegetation. c. Reduction of the use of toxic substances on and around your boat. d. Pollutants from municipal and industrial operations. Review Exercises

Copyright Coast Guard Auxiliary Association, Inc If you see a square-shaped red flag with a diagonal white stripe on a small float, you should: a. go over and investigate to see what is going on. b. stay clear of the area because that is the signal that divers are below. c. not worry about it because it is only some type of “club” flag. d. notify the authorities because it means a boater is in trouble. Review Exercises

Copyright Coast Guard Auxiliary Association, Inc When towing a skier you should be sure: a. All tow lines are at least 50 feet long. b. The skier is wearing a ski belt. c. To stay at least 75 feet away from hazards, swimmers, and the shoreline. d. You put the engine in neutral before allowing the skier to climb aboard. e. You respond to the skier’s patting himself on the head by returning to the dock. Review Exercises

Copyright Coast Guard Auxiliary Association, Inc. 29 End Chapter 7 Review