Recording-2025-03-09T23_23_01.176Z

Life Jackets

• Offshore Type 1 Life Jacket:

  • Designed to turn an unconscious person face up in the water.

Fire Extinguishers

• Class B Extinguishers:

  • Intended to extinguish gasoline and oil fires.

• PASS Method:

  • Pull the pin.

  • Aim at the base of the fire.

  • Squeeze the handle.

  • Sweep side to side while aiming at the base of the fire.

Pre-Departure Briefings

• Audience:

  • Skipper should address everyone aboard regarding emergency procedures and equipment use.

Boat Considerations

• Primary Consideration:

  • Think about how you will use the boat when buying.

• Child’s Life Jacket:

  • Match the child's weight to the capacity of the PFD (Personal Flotation Device).

Fuel Procedures

• Filling Portable Fuel Tank:

  • Fill the tank at the fuel dock, not on the boat.

• Gasoline Fume Accumulation:

  • Gasoline fumes tend to accumulate in the bilge.

Safety Checks

• Oily Rags in Bilge:

  • Remove immediately to reduce the risk of fire.

• Float Plan:

  • Leave with a responsible person indicating intermediate stops and expected return date.

Engine Precautions

• Before Starting Inboard Gasoline Engine:

  • Open the compartment cover and sniff for traces of gasoline fumes after running the engine compartment blower for at least four minutes.

Maneuvering Tips

• Steering a Boat:

  • Boats pivot about a point approximately one third of the way from the bow to the stern, differing from automobile steering.

USCG Equipment Requirements

• Required Equipment for Coastal Waters and Great Lakes:

  • Visual distress signals are mandatory.

• Aerial Flare Advantage:

  • Pistol-fired red meteor aerial flares are visible over a longer distance than handheld red flares.

Mooring Practices

• Mooring Lines:

  • Check the weather forecast before taking in all mooring lines for a day at sea.

• Approaching a Dock:

  • Plan your approach considering wind and current conditions.

Safety Measures

• On a Large Lake with Strong Winds:

  • Have everyone put on their USCG approved PFDs.

• Storing Visual Distress Signals:

  • Store in a cool, dry location in a red or orange watertight container, clearly marked as distress signals.

Trim Maintenance

• Good Trim Practices:

  • Load passengers and equipment alternately, checking trim frequently to maintain a level boat.

Weather Information

• Reliable Weather Source:

  • Get up-to-date NOAA weather advisories on a VHF weather channel.

Required Equipment Review

• Pre-Departure Equipment Check:

  • Review fire extinguisher, lights, first aid kit, PFDs, etc., with everyone aboard.