In the sun
- Sunglasses filter out bright light from the sun, which reflects off the water and off the boat
- Make sure everybody on board wears a factor 15+ sun block.
- Always carry a lot off water so that no one gets dehydrated.
The last thing that you must make sure you have and wear at all times on a boat is a lifejacket.
Things that you will need to have onboard at all times, in case of emergency.
In case of an emergency, you will need some sort of communication to call for help. The best thing to use is not a mobile, but is a VHF radio. A VHF radio will enable you to summon help by calling the coastguard and alerting other vessels on channel 16. A mobile phone is not a safe or reliable substitute but may provide back up in some circumstances. In an emergency, dial 999 and ask for the coastguard. Never rely on the use of a mobile phone to replace marine VHF radio for distress and safety calls. It may be not impossible to get a signal and, even with a signal, the rescue services cannot get a position fix on a mobile phone.
Flares must be on board to use if stranded. A comprehensive first aid kit and basic first aid knowledge could prove invaluable until professional assistance arrives. A throwing line is recommended for use in an emergency. The brightly coloured floating line is coiled inside a throwing sack. Achieving a long distance throw with good accuracy requires practice, with a possible reach over 20m. The only problem with a throwing line is what’s called salvation rights. This is a right to claim someone’s boat if you tow it in. In other words, if you were to tow someone’s boat in, you then have the rights to claim their boat. One way to stop salvation rights, is to either make a deal with them, such as “I will pay for your fuel if you tow me in”, or to pretend to drop their rope when they throw it to you, and throw them yours.
A fire extinguisher and fire blankets must be kept on board, but they must be maintained. They must also be fully accessible. All sports boats must be fitted with a kill cord that stops the engine every time the driver leaves the controls.
OK now, you are all ready to start learning the rules of the sea. The first thing is to make sure that you always drive with care. If you see a sign, similar to a road speed sign, with a number in , you must stay to that speed. All the numbers are measured in knots. Knots Is the sea measurement of speed. As well as staying safe, if you were to drive quickly, it uses up more fuel, and fuel is very expensive. It cost £120 to fill up my powerboat, from an empty tank to a full tank.
When driving a car you must stay within the road lanes. On a boat is very similar. You must drive in channels. There are three different markers, known to me as the three c’s, which mark the different channels. They are Cones, Cans and Cardinals. The cans are red and mark the left, also known as the port side, of the channel when sailing into port. The cones are green and mark the right, also known as the starboard side, of the channel when sailing into port. Cardinals are more complicated. They are found on junctions of channels, and mark, which side the safe water, is on. There are four different cardinals, Point on board show, which is east, south, north, west, and show what colours mean.
Whilst driving the boat there are also some general rules to take into account.
- It is the responsibility of the skipper to maintain a good lookout at all times.
- An overtaking boat must keep clear. But a boat, which is being overtaken, must maintain its course.
- Vessels of less than 20m should not impede vessels using a traffic separation scheme or confined to a narrow channel.
Whilst boating there are 4 signals to learn, using the horn.
1 beep means - altering course to the right, or starboard in boating terms
2 beeps means - altering course to the left, or port in boating terms
3 beeps means - going into reverse, or astern in boating terms
5beeps means - your intentions are unclear
Thank you every one for listening to my talk and I hope you have learnt a lot from it.
