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Boating Safety
Medical Emergency
In an emergency, you may be far from professional medical assistance. Be prepared and
know how to use your first aid kit. Be aware of any special medical conditions of your
passengers.
Operation Failure
If you experience a propulsion, electrical, steering or control failure, immediately shut off
the engine. If it is safe to do so and you are qualified, then try to determine the cause of
the failure and repair. Otherwise, call or signal for assistance. Anchor the boat if drifting
will put you and others in danger.
Towing
Towing or being towed stresses the boats, hardware and
lines. Failure of any part can seriously injure people or
damage the boat.
A recreational boat towing another should be a last resort due to the potential for
damaging one or both boats. The Coast Guard or a private salvage company is better
equipped for this activity. A recreational boat may assist by standing by, and possibly by
keeping the disabled boat’s bow at a proper angle until help arrives. Only when
conditions are ideal—that is, waters are calm, disabled boat is small, appropriate
hardware is available, and one or both skippers know the correct technique—should a
recreational boat tow another.
Towing Vessel
• Be sure your boat will not run aground too.
• Because you are maneuverable and the grounded boat is not, you should pass the
towline to the grounded boat.
• Select an appropriately strong tow line. Use double-braided or braid-on-braid
line. Never use three-strand twisted nylon; it has too much elasticity and can snap
back dangerously.
• Select an appropriate attachment point. If available fasten the towline to the
forward tow pylon of the towing boat. Otherwise fasten tow line to stern tow
point. Fastening to the stern tow point will restrict maneuverability of the towing
boat.
• If possible, use a bridle.
• Move slowly to prevent sudden strain on slack line.
• Proceed at slow speed.
• Avoid abrupt changes in throttle as that may cause the tow line to slacken and
jerk tight. Sudden strain or jerking the line causes excessive tow line forces which
may part the line. Keep slack out of the tow line, but if it occurs proceed slowly
to again take up the strain on the line and avoid sudden jerks in the line.
• Be ready to cast loose or cut the line if the towing situation becomes hazardous.
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