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Boating Tips
Offshore boating
Boating offshore can be quite a different experience when compared with a day out on inland waters.
Perhaps the greatest difference is the exposure to dynamic ocean conditions with ever-changing winds and swells, combined with the fact help can be a long distance away.
Every captain should plan and prepare before heading out on the water. When heading offshore, this becomes even more important
Safety equipment
When you’re the captain, you should always make sure all the appropriate safety gear is on board and in good working order before you head offshore.
You should have your safety gear serviced regularly and be familiar with how to use each item. It’s a good idea to do regular safety drills. You might also like to think about safety and sea survival courses. They’re a great way to prepare yourself for going offshore, In some blue-water yacht races they are actually a requirement.
And anytime a new person steps aboard, you should make sure you provide a full safety briefing each time, no matter how experienced they are.
EPIRB
If you are heading more than two nautical miles offshore, you should carry an EPIRB.
Having an EPIRB on board provides peace of mind and means you signal your exact position in the event of an emergency.
The global satellite system for detecting an EPIRB signal is fast, accurate and greatly increases the chances of your survival.
Satellites now only process alerts from the 406 MHz EPIRBs, not the old 121 models. So make sure you upgrade your EPIRB if you haven't already done so.
Remember to register your EPIRB, it’s a free service and is a significant help should you ever need a search and rescue effort.
Route planning
Before you head out to sea, you should plan your route and provisions.
When you’re planning, you should think about wind, waves, tides and of course, safe havens. Make sure you mark all the safe havens along the route where you can shelter in case the weather turns nasty.
Also, you should always leave a copy of your route plan with a reliable person who can sound the alarm to the relevant authorities if you're overdue or missing.
In your plan, make sure you include a description of your vessel, all your planned stops, the names of all your passengers and when you expect to return.
You should also use the marine radio network on VHF to log on and provide trip details. And always remember to log off once you arrive at your destination to avoid needless searches.
Checking the weather
You’ll find marine weather forecasts are available from many different sources.
Most governments provide broadcasts of marine weather information on existing VHF radio frequencies. These broadcasts are made on a 24 hour, 7 day a week basis with the schedules available via the Bureau's website.
Part of good seamanship is using all available means to check the weather. That can range from marine radio broadcasts, to media, newspapers, AM and FM radio, the television and of course the internet.
However, you should never underestimate the value of your own judgement, especially once you've taken the time to understand weather patterns. If you’re in doubt, just don't go out
Emergency situations
Deep ocean voyaging can be a truly breathtaking and rewarding experience. Even so, when you’re on any stretch of water, you can be exposed to foul weather and potential danger.
Here you can find important safety information to help ensure you're well prepared in the event of an emergency on the water.
Seeking help in an emergency
If you get into difficulty in ocean or large body of water and need to activate your EPIRB or transmit a distress call on your radio, the local Maritime Safety/ Rescue Coordination Centre in your region will receive your distress signal or be notified of your situation.
These centers operate 24 hours a day and will coordinate your rescue, or they’ll delegate the role to the relevant regional police organisation.
If an emergency happens, you should make sure everyone on board is wearing a lifejacket. Also, listen carefully to the instructions being given by your rescuers and above all, stay calm.
Always plan, prepare, check the weather forecast regularly, log on to the marine radio network when you leave port and don't forget to log off when you're safely home.
Safety checklist
Before you head out on the water, you should consider these simple tips:
- Check that your boat is in good condition.
- Check that you have all the required safety equipment on board. Make sure all your safety equipment is in good condition and easily accessible in the event of an emergency.
- Report your trip. Let someone know where you are going, how many people are on board and when you intend to return.
- Make sure you and your crew know how to handle the boat, especially on the waterway that you're using. If you’re in any doubt, get information from locals or the local marine authority.
- Check the weather. If you’re in doubt, don't go out.
- Make sure you have sufficient water and fuel for the duration of the trip, including unexpected delays due to the weather or an equipment breakdown.
- Go easy on the drink - waves, wind and weather can multiply the effects of alcohol. One third of all boating fatalities involve alcohol.
- There are a number of ways you can get help and to alert the search and rescue agencies, including radio distress calls, distress flares, overdue reports and activation of an EPIRB.
Radio distress protocols
If you need to send a radio distress call, you should follow the protocols below:
MAYDAY
A mayday call is for an emergency involving imminent danger to a vessel and the people on board. An example of a mayday message could be:
"Mayday, Mayday, Mayday this is Phantom, this is Phantom, this is Phantom, a 32 foot Sea Ray red cabin cruiser, I am three miles off Red Head, we have been swamped by a wave and we are sinking. There are four people overboard. Over."
You should repeat all distress calls three times.
If you hear a mayday call, you should not transmit, but continue to monitor the radio. If a shore station such as the local Coastguard or Coastal Patrol fails to respond to the call you should attempt to relay the message and render any assistance.
PAN PAN
Pan Pan is an urgency message that indicates a vessel is in trouble but not in immediate danger. For example:
"Pan Pan, Pan Pan, Pan Pan, this is Phantom, this is Phantom, this is Phantom, a 32 Foot Sea Ray red cabin cruiser, I am three miles off Red Head, we have been disabled by a wave and require a tow. There are four people onboard. Over."
SECURITE
Securite messages generally prefix navigational safety messages such as weather reports or navigation hazard updates For example:
"Securite Securite Securite all ships, all ships, all ships, this is Coast Radio, Coast Radio for a renewal of a strong wind warning please switch to channel VHF 67. Out."
Man overboard
You should throw a lifejacket or marker over immediately. If you lose sight of the person in the water, this will act as a starting point for a search.
Try to keep the person in sight at all times; tell passengers to act as lookouts.
As quickly as you can, establish your position either by reference to shore marks or by a GPS position. You should also make sure you and all of your crew know how to activate the Man Overboard function on your boat's GPS. If you can give an accurate position, it will be crucial if the search needs outside assistance.
Try to get in contact with the relevant search and rescue authorities.
Avoiding hypothermia
Hypothermia is the effect of heat loss from the body. It happens when your body temperature is lowered to less than 35°C. It can affect your brain, heart and other internal organs. While your body begins to cool as soon as you enter the water, the full effect of hypothermia can take around 30 minutes.
Some of the effects you get with hypothermia are a reduction of blood flow to the hands, feet and surface of the body. You’ll also experience intense shivering in the early stages as your body tries to maintain its core temperature and then no shivering in the later stages. To reduce the risk of hypothermia, you should wear warm, preferably woollen, clothing under wet weather gear.
Various techniques have been developed to prolong survival time in the water, they include:
- HELP (Heat Escape Lessening Posture) - limit your body heat loss by holding your arms down to your sides and up across your chest, and raising your knees and holding them together.
- Huddle - by huddling close together with other people, so that your chest and arms are protected, you can reduce the rate at which your body loses heat and increase survival time by up to 50 percent. This is the most effective method of reducing the onset of hypothermia if there is a group in the water.
The key to avoiding cold water immersion and hypothermia is to stay out of the water. Make sure you keep your boat's deck and cockpit free of slipping and tripping hazards.
If you do fall in, remember: don't inhale water, don't panic, keep as much of your body out of the water as you can and always wear a lifejacket. It can be the difference in a survival situation.
Take care - be prop aware
Boat propellers pose a risk that can be easily ignored or forgotten because they are under the water, ‘out of sight and out of mind’.
But a strike from a spinning propeller can cause serious injury or even death.
A typical three-bladed propeller - which spins at around 3200rpm - can make more than 160 impacts per second, and can travel from head to toe of an average person in less than one tenth of a second, causing multiple deep wounds.
Boat propeller injuries, if not fatal, are usually severe and disfiguring, resulting in prolonged disability and permanent impairment.
Propeller injuries are preventable. Boat Nut Magazine have launched the Take care - Be prop aware campaign to increase public awareness about the dangers of prop strikes.
Being ‘prop-aware’ is particularly important for people involved in tow sports like water-skiing and wakeboarding, and any time powerboats are used near swimmers or children, such as sailing schools and surf clubs. Being ‘prop-aware’ is also important for people diving or snorkelling out of a vessel, and for boat drivers operating in areas where divers, snorkellers or spearfishers may be present.
It is also important to pass the message on to less experienced people who rent powerboats such as aluminum fishing boats and houseboats.
Tow safe
Here you can learn the “do’s and don’ts” of tow sports to help make sure you enjoy a great day out on the water.
For many people, boating is a social activity and that is particularly the case with tow sports such as water skiing and wakeboarding. These activities typically involve families and or friends getting together to enjoy the thrill of being towed on skis, boards or tubes.
A great day on the water however is a safe day and every captain has a responsibility for the safety of their vessel and all those onboard – or those being towed. The best way to maximise the enjoyment of a day out on the water is to take time to plan and prepare, and of course, to observe the rules for safe navigation once you are out on the water. Check your area for dedicated tow zones.
Check the waterway
You should always inspect the waterway before you start towing. Make sure you check for debris, sand banks, hidden shallows and moorings. A collision can seriously injure the person being towed and damage your boat.
You should be aware that waterways are constantly changing. Make sure you know the tides, river flows and changing water levels.
Ask yourself:
- Has it rained lately?
- Have the water levels changed?
- How will the waterway respond to the weather?
Keep your distance
It’s important you stay a safe distance from people, boats and the shore.
Distances off
No matter what speed you’re towing at, always make sure you keep the boat and the person being towed at the required distance:
- 30 metres from powered craft and the shore
- 60m from non-powered craft like kayaks and sailing boats
- 60m clear of swimmers
- 300m clear of bridges, cables, wires, pipelines or structures if you’re towing aerial equipment like paraflying.
- You must make sure the people being towed are at least 7m from the boat
No towing areas
In some areas tow sports may be prohibited and signs may be displayed. In other areas, you may not be able to maintain a safe distance from hazards and so tow sports may not be possible.
You are not permitted to tow or ride a PWC in general between sunset and sunrise.
Taking it easy
For everyone’s safety and enjoyment on the water, try to make sure you take it easy.
- Avoid towing where people are swimming or fishing
- Watch your wash, especially near fragile banks or where there are people on the shoreline.
- Only use power turns in an emergency.
- Keep your engine and onboard noise down. Sound can travel a long way and disturb other people and wildlife.
- Take your rubbish back to shore and dispose of it properly.
- Don’t cut blind corners. Give other craft plenty of room to manoeuvre.
- Steer your boat or PWC on smooth steady lines that other waterway users can read easily.
- Take extra care early and late in the day when the sun can be blinding.
- Don’t overload your boat or PWC. The capacity label shows you how many people you are permitted to carry.
- Know the system of the navigation markers that are there to guide you safely through the waterway.
- As for drinking alcohol, save your drinking for the end of the day
Towing from a boat
Waterskiing and wakeboarding can be great fun with family and friends but it pays to plan and prepare. With any tow activities, there is a need to pay particular attention to the boat and its tow equipment, and to ensure those with responsibilities such as the captain and the observer understand their roles.
Before you get out on the water, you need to know the rules for safe boating.
Rules and regulations
- You need to carry a current Boaters Card and may require a Local Harbor Licence. And your boat must be registered with the registration number clearly visible
- You need at least two crew – a driver and observer
- You must have a capacity label near the controls where the driver can see it
- Your boat should be in good working order
- You must find out about towing restrictions – check boating maps, look for signage, and ask locals.
Never tow at night. Even if you have navigation lights, it’s illegal.
Checking your equipment
Every time you go out on the water, make sure your boat’s in good working order and you've got all the right equipment needed for towing.
- Check for gas odours and fix any leaks or faults right away
- Inspect the bilges. If there is more bilge water than usual, find the fault and fix it
- Keep your fuel, engine oil and coolant levels topped up
- Check the fire extinguisher
- Check the tow ropes and attachments are in good condition
- Check all ropes and lines, steering cables and connections
- Don’t forget the drain plug!
Lifejackets
Lifejackets are the most important item of boating safety equipment. You must carry a lifejacket for every person on board. You must wear a lifejacket at all times in open waters, when you’re being towed, and for any children under 15 years.( refer to local law enforcement for the rules on age)Navigating safely
While tow sports can be a lot of fun, it's important you know how to stay safe on the water. This applies to the people on the boat, those you are towing and the people around you.
Driver and observer
When you’re boating and doing tow sports, the driver and observer need to work as a team. As a driver you keep lookout ahead and also control the boat. As an observer, you face backwards and keep an eye on the person being towed and any craft approaching from behind. When you’re observing, you tell the driver if there are any issues.
If you’re towing from a PWC, you still need to have an observer. The guidelines for an observer are the same, no matter what type of craft.
If you’re driving, you must:
- hold a valid Boaters Card
- be responsible for the safety of the boat and the towed people
- be aware of, and keep, the minimum distances-off that apply to boat and the people being towed
- know all the standard hand signals
- not be under the influence of alcohol or drugs
If you’re observing, you must:
- be 16 years or older
- observe the towed people and report any issues to the driver
- tell the driver about any craft approaching from behind
- know all the standard hand signals
- not have hearing, sight or other disabilities that could affect their capacity to observe
- not be under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
When you’re towing, the observer faces backwards to watch the people being towed while the driver faces forward and looks out ahead.
Loading or ballasting
Make sure you take extra care when you’re loading or water ballasting wakeboard boats. It’s not just for your safety but also for the good of the environment.
- Water ballasting changes the handling of your boat and creates large wakes that can damage shorelines.
- Don’t overload your wakeboard boat beyond your ability – it’s dangerous and not much fun.
- Load your boat evenly to maximise your boat’s performance and your safety.
- Be aware of the effect your wake has on others.
- Do not water ballast in confined waterways and fragile environments.
- Remember, an overloaded boat is heavy on fuel.
Being towed
Whether you’re wakeboarding, waterskiing or tubing, there are a number of rules that you need to know about.
If you’re the person being towed, you must do the following:
- Wear a lifejacket
- Be at least 7m behind the boat
- Keep the minimum distances-off
- Return to shore safely
- Not be under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Tubing
Tubing can be a lot of fun, but there are few things you need to keep in mind.
- As a tube rider, you have little or no control over your direction. You cannot steer from side to side
- If you’re the observer or driver, you need to make sure the riders are safe from any hazards above or below the water
- When you’re towing tube riders aim for a slower speed. If you travel too fast the tube will slide or whip out when you turn and may collide with banks, trees or other hazards
- Make sure you choose waterways with plenty of room and not too much boating traffic.
- Some tubes are designed to carry two or three people. When you have more than one person on a tube there is a risk of banging heads, so protective headgear is a good idea
Communication and hand signals
If you’re involved in tow sports, you should know the basic hand signals:
Towed person down - observer signal
The observer holds one arm straight up to tell other vessels that a skier, wakeboarder or tuber has fallen off and is in the water.
When you see this signal, keep a lookout for the person in the water.
Towed person down - OK signal
The towed person clasps both hands together above their head to show they are ok after a fall.
If the observer doesn’t see this signal, they should tell the driver straight away so they can return to check on the towed person as quickly as possible.
Return to shore - towed person signal
The person being towed pats their head if they want to return to shore.
Turning the boat around
The driver or observer does a helicopter motion above the head to tell people the boat is turning round.
Change speed - towed person signal
Thumbs up or thumbs down signals are for going faster or slower.
Cut motor - towed person, observer or driver signal
A hand across the throat means stop the boat immediately
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