20 SAFETY INFORMATION
Passenger Safety
Before getting underway, show all
passengers where emergency and
safety equipment is stowed, and ex-
plain how to use it. Everyone aboard
should wear rubber-soled shoes which
resist slipping on wet surfaces. While
underway, passengers should remain
seated inside the deck rails. Don’t al-
low passengers to drag their feet or
hands in the water. Always use hand-
holds and other safety hardware to
prevent falls. All non-swimmers, poor
swimmers, and children should wear a
PFD at all times. Federal regulations
require that children under 13 years of
age wear a PFD when the boat is un-
derway unless they are in an enclosed
cabin or below deck.
First Aid
As a boat operator, you should be famil-
iar with basic first aid procedures that
may be needed while you are far from
help. Fish hook accidents or minor cuts
and abrasions may be the most serious
mishaps on board a boat, but you
should also learn the proper proce-
dures and be ready to deal with the tru-
ly serious problems like excessive
bleeding, hypothermia, and burns. First
aid literature and courses are available
through most Red Cross chapters.
Operation by Minors
Minors should always be supervised
by an adult whenever operating a boat.
Many states have laws regarding the
minimum age and licensing require-
ments of minors. Be sure to contact
the state boating authorities for infor-
mation. BRP recommends a minimum
operator age of 16 years old.
Rules of the Road
As a responsible boater, you will com-
ply with the RULES OF THE ROAD,
the marine traffic laws enforced by the
U.S. Coast Guard. Navigating a boat is
much the same as driving an automo-
bile. Operating either one responsibly
means complying with a set of rules
intended to prevent accidents. Just as
you assume other car drivers know
what they are doing, other boaters as-
sume you know what you are doing.
Operating a boat can be compared
with driving unmarked highways and
roads. To prevent collisions or avoid
other boaters, a system of operating
rules must be followed. It’s not only
common sense... it’s the law!
Check local and federal boating laws
applicable to the waterways where
you intend to use your boat. Learn the
local rules of the road. Know and un-
derstand the applicable navigation sys-
tem (such as buoys and signs).
Know the waters in which the boat is
to be operated. Current, tides, rapids,
hidden obstacles, wakes and waves
etc. can affect safe operation. It is not
advisable to operate the boat in rough
or inclement weather.
Remember these Rules
of the Road
Know the Right of Way Rules
Generally keep to your right and safely
avoid other craft by keeping a safe dis-
tance from other craft, people and ob-
jects.
CROSSING
Give right of way to craft ahead and to
your right. Never cross in front of anoth-
er craft.
RED light (give way to the other craft).
GREEN light (you have the right of way).
MEETING HEAD-ON
Keep right.
lmo2005-006a_1.book Page 20 Wednesday, July 7, 2004 1:06 PM
To Next Page
Loading...
Need help?
General
