LARSON Bass - Accidents, Collisions and Giving Assistance; Towing on the Water

EMERGENCIES
© 2003-2018 Ken Cook Co.
SECTION
4
Bass l 4 - 7
ACCIDENTS, COLLISIONS AND GIVING ASSISTANCE
A collision or accident may occur when least expected. Formulate a course of
action in advance in case of a collision or accident. Keep in mind the following
guidelines:
• If an accident or collision occurs involving the boat, locate all passengers
first and verify and secure their safety. Check for injuries and provide all
passengers with a flotation device.
• After determining that passengers are not in danger, provide assistance to
passengers on the other boat.
• Immediately call for help and then assess the damage to the boats.
Render necessary assistance to prevent further damage or personal injury.
The USCG requires the owner/operator of a boat involved in an accident to report
the incident immediately to the proper marine law enforcement agency for the state
in which the accident occurred.
See the Reporting Accidents section of this manual for additional information.
An operator who witnesses or is aware of an accident or collision while boating
must report it immediately and provide assistance.
Operators seeing a distress signal or suspecting a boat is in trouble must assume it
is a real emergency and render assistance immediately. After determining that a real
emergency exists, call for help immediately and then provide assistance to all
passengers to ensure their safety.
TOWING ON THE WATER
In situations where an operator is
asked to tow or be towed for any
reason, assess the situation and try
to contact a professional towing
service or other emergency
assistance first. When encountering a
boat in distress, always offer
emergency or safety assistance and/
or call for assistance for the distressed parties if necessary. Towing or being towed
presents an increased risk of personal injury and boat damage.
Personal Injury Hazard: Use extreme caution when
using tow lines and when connecting tow lines to cleats. Death or serious
injury could occur if lines and/or cleats fail while they are under extreme
tension.
KC-0186C-A
TOW LINE
BOW
EYE
STERN EYES