Boat License Renewal: Capsizing Emergencies And Preparedness

Boating safety is paramount, and one of the most important skills to learn is how to prevent capsizing. Capsizing is a leading cause of death for paddlers in small crafts, such as canoes, kayaks, and rafts. If a boat capsizes, the best course of action is to climb onto the bottom of the overturned boat and wait for help. To prevent capsizing, it is recommended to take the wake from another boat head-on and to avoid consuming alcohol, as it impairs judgement and increases the risk of accidents. Additionally, it is crucial to always wear a properly fitted life jacket, as this is the best way to minimize the risk of drowning.

Preventing capsizing by taking the wake from another boat head-on

Maintain a Low Center of Gravity: Boat operators should avoid standing up or moving around unnecessarily while the boat is in motion. This is especially critical in smaller, less stable boats. If movement is required, keep low, centred, and maintain three points of contact with the boat at all times.

Approach Waves and Wakes Head-On: When encountering waves or the wakes of other boats, always face them head-on from the bow. This helps to prevent capsizing by taking the impact at the front of the boat rather than the side.

Slow Down in Rough Waters: If boating in rough waters or bad weather, it is essential to reduce speed. Slowing down gives the operator more control and reduces the risk of being surprised by a wave or the wake of another boat. If there is a risk of high winds or storms, it is best to avoid going out on the water altogether.

Secure Items Properly: Avoid carrying items while boarding the boat. Instead, board the boat first, and then load items individually, placing them along the centreline. This helps distribute weight evenly and prevents overloading the boat.

Tie Anchor Line to the Bow: Avoid tying the anchor line to the stern of the boat, as it adds weight to the rear and increases the risk of capsizing. Instead, tie the anchor line to the bow, which helps maintain better balance and stability.

Follow Capacity Plate Information: Always pay attention to the capacity plate information to ensure the boat is not overloaded. The capacity plate indicates the maximum number of people and weight the boat can safely accommodate.

By following these instructions, boat operators can significantly reduce the risk of capsizing and ensure a safer experience for themselves and their passengers.

What to do if your boat capsizes

Capsizing is one of the top causes of boating injuries and fatalities. If your boat capsizes, there are several steps you should take to stay safe:

Stay Calm and Account for Everyone

Take a headcount to ensure everyone is accounted for. If someone is missing, they could be trapped under the boat. It's important to stay calm and conserve energy while you wait for help to arrive.

Get Out of the Water

If you can, right the boat and climb back in. If not, climb onto the hull. Capsized boats often stay afloat, and getting out of the water will help you stay warm longer.

Stay with the Boat

A boat is easier to spot than people floating in the water. Stay with the boat if it's safe to do so. If your boat drifts away or sinks, look for something to hold onto while you wait for help.

Conserve Energy

If there's nothing to hold onto, float with your head out of the water. Cross your arms over your chest and pull your knees to your chest to help conserve energy and prolong the loss of body heat. Avoid swimming or treading water, as these activities use a lot of energy and can lower your body temperature.

Signal for Help

Use flares, visual distress signals, a whistle, or a mirror to signal for help. If you have an emergency position-indicating radio beacon (EPIRB), use it to send an SOS signal with your current position to local satellites.

Wear a Life Jacket

Always wear a life jacket when on a boat. In the event of a capsizing, a life jacket will help you stay afloat, conserve energy, and keep warm while you wait for rescue.

How to avoid propeller strikes

Propeller strikes can cause severe injuries and even fatalities. Here are some ways to avoid them:

Education and Awareness:

• Boat operators should educate themselves and their passengers about propeller dangers and safety practices. This includes pointing out the location of the propeller(s) and discussing the associated risks, as well as explaining the proper use of safety equipment like Engine Cut-Off Switches (ECOS).
• Passengers should be made aware of unsafe activities around the propeller, such as riding on the seat back, gunwale, transom, or bow.
• It is important to recognize warning buoys and flags that mark swimming and diving areas, and to keep the boat away from these designated areas.
• Operators should also be mindful of swimmers and divers, especially in congested areas, and slow down when approaching these areas.

Safe Operating Procedures:

• Always turn off the engine when passengers are boarding or disembarking.
• Never start a boat with the engine in gear, and ensure all passengers are properly seated before getting underway.
• When retrieving someone from the water, turn the bow of the boat towards them to keep them away from the propeller.
• If moving the boat alongside a person in the water, take the engine out of gear and turn it off at least a boat length before reaching them. Never use reverse to pick someone up.
• Assign a responsible adult to watch children and sound the alarm if a child falls overboard.
• Avoid operating the boat under the influence of alcohol or drugs, as this impairs judgment and reaction time.

Use of Safety Equipment:

• Wear Engine Cut-Off Switches (ECOS) to automatically shut off the motor if the operator unexpectedly moves away from the controls or falls overboard.
• Lanyard and wireless ECOS devices are required by law on certain recreational vessels and help prevent propeller injuries by disengaging the motor.
• Install and maintain propeller warning labels around the back of the boat to make passengers aware of the propeller's location.
• Consider using a propeller guard, which provides a physical barrier to protect people in the water from propeller strikes.

By following these guidelines and staying vigilant, boat operators can significantly reduce the risk of propeller strikes and create a safer environment for both passengers and swimmers.

The importance of wearing a life jacket at all times

Preventing Drowning:

Wearing a life jacket, or Personal Flotation Device (PFD), is the best way to prevent drowning in the event of falling overboard or a capsizing incident. Drownings are rare when individuals are wearing appropriately fitted life jackets, significantly reducing the risk of fatalities.

Legal Requirement:

In many places, it is a legal requirement to wear a life jacket while onboard a vessel. For example, in Texas, individuals riding as passengers on a Personal Watercraft (PWC) are mandated by law to wear a USCG-approved life jacket. Failing to comply with such regulations can result in legal consequences.

Safety in Cold Water:

If you fall overboard into cold water, a life jacket provides crucial insulation and buoyancy, helping you stay afloat and conserving your body heat. It can be challenging to put on a life jacket in the water, so wearing one at all times ensures immediate protection.

Protection Against Hypothermia:

In addition to preventing drowning, life jackets are essential in preventing hypothermia, a dangerous condition that can occur during prolonged exposure to cold water. By keeping your head and upper body out of the water, a life jacket slows the loss of body heat, giving you a better chance of survival.

Safety for Paddlers:

For individuals in small crafts, such as canoes, kayaks, or rafts, wearing a life jacket is especially important. Capsizing is a leading cause of death for paddlers, and a life jacket provides a critical layer of protection in the event of an accident.

Peace of Mind:

Wearing a life jacket provides peace of mind for both the wearer and their companions. Knowing that everyone on board is equipped with a properly fitted life jacket can reduce stress and improve the overall enjoyment of the boating experience.

In conclusion, wearing a life jacket at all times while boating is of paramount importance. It significantly reduces the risk of drowning, protects against hypothermia, and is often a legal requirement. By prioritizing safety, boaters can ensure that they are prepared for any emergencies that may arise during their time on the water.

How to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning

To avoid carbon monoxide poisoning on a boat, it is important to take several precautions. Firstly, ensure that there is good ventilation on the boat, even during bad weather. Keep areas with protective coverings well-ventilated, and be extra cautious when fuel-burning engines and appliances are running while the boat is stationary.

It is also crucial to install and regularly maintain carbon monoxide (CO) detectors on board. Replace batteries and detectors as per the manufacturer's recommendations. Ventilate the boat immediately if exhaust vapours are detected. Know the location of your engine and generator exhaust outlets, and keep everyone away from these areas, as they can contain high levels of CO.

Additionally, never sit on the back deck, engage in "teak surfing", or hang onto the swim platform while the engines are running. Stay clear of areas under swim platforms where exhaust outlets are located, as even a few breaths in these areas could be fatal. When boating, maintain a distance of at least 20 feet from other boats that are running generators or engines.

Be aware of the symptoms of CO poisoning, such as headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion. If you or anyone on board exhibits these symptoms, move to fresh air immediately and seek emergency medical assistance.

Frequently asked questions