ABC Boating Chapters 1-4 QnA

Life Jackets and Safety Equipment

• Category of Life Jacket for Unconscious Person:

  • Offshore Type One life jackets are designed to turn an unconscious person face up in the water.

• Fire Extinguisher Class:

  • Class B fire extinguishers are designed to extinguish gasoline and oil fires.

• Pre-Departure Briefing:

  • The skipper should address everyone on board about emergency procedures and equipment use.

• Primary Consideration When Buying a Boat:

  • Consider how the boat will be used.

• PASS Acronym:

  • Pull the safety pin, Aim at the base of the fire, Squeeze the handle, Sweep side to side while aiming at the fire base.

• Filling Outboard Engine Fuel Tank:

  • Always fill the portable fuel tank on the fuel dock, not on the boat.

• Unserviceable Life Jacket Condition:

  • A life jacket is unserviceable if it has a torn strap.

• Portable Life Extinguishers Required:

  • An 18-foot powerboat with installed fuel tanks needs one portable fire extinguisher.

• Selecting Life Jacket for Children:

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

Safety Checks and Procedures

• Accumulation of Gasoline Fumes:

  • Gasoline fumes tend to accumulate in the bilge of a boat.

• Oily Rags in Bilge:

  • Remove oily rags to reduce fire risk during a vessel safety check.

• Float Plan:

  • Leave a float plan with a responsible person indicating your stops and expected return.

• Engine Compartment Blower Check:

  • After running the engine compartment blower for four minutes, open the cover and sniff for gasoline fumes.

• Steering a Boat vs Automobile:

  • A boat steers differently by pivoting about a point approximately one third from the bow to the stern.

• USCG Approved Equipment:

  • Required for boats operating in U.S. coastal waters and the Great Lakes includes visual distress signals.

Boating Practices and Navigation Rules

• Advantage of Pistol Fired Red Meteor Aerial Flares:

  • They are visible for a longer distance compared to handheld red flares.

• Before Taking in Mooring Lines:

  • Always check the weather forecast.

• Action on Large Lakes with Wind:

  • Have everyone put on a USCG approved PFD when wind picks up.

• Storage for Visual Distress Signals:

  • Keep them in a cool, dry location, in a watertight container marked for distress signals.

• Maintaining Good Trim when Loading Boat:

  • Load passengers and equipment alternatively, checking trim frequently.

Weather and Maneuvering

• Continuous Weather Information Source:

  • Get up-to-date NOAA weather advisories on VHF Weather Channel.

• Mooring Approach Rule:

  • Plan approach considering wind and current conditions.

• Navigation Rules Primary Purpose:

  • To prevent collisions.

• Give Way Boat's Action:

  • The give way boat must stay out of the way of others.

Regulations and Requirements

• Not Under Command Definition:

  • A vessel has no steerage or power and cannot maneuver.

• Safe Speed Definition:

  • Speed that allows stopping in time to avoid collision.

• Meeting Two Powerboats:

  • Both vessels must take action to avoid collision.

• General Rule of Responsibility Provision:

  • One may break navigation rules to avoid danger.

• Light Color for Left Channel Indication:

  • Green lights indicate the left side of the channel when returning from sea.

  • Remember Red, Right, Return

Anchoring and Trailer Practices

• Navigation Aid Placement:

  • Marks are placed on port and starboard sides of the channel.

• Purpose of Ranges in Navigation:

  • They indicate the centerline of a channel.

• Best Anchoring Scope:

  • Under normal conditions, a 7:1 scope of the anchor road is recommended.

• Correct Method to Anchor:

  • Lower the anchor over the bow.

• Trailer Safety Chains Attachment:

  • Chains should be crossed under the coupler to support it if uncoupled.

Communication and Emergency Preparedness

• Communication with Towed Persons:

  • Have an observer on board for skier communication.

• Preparing for Night Boating:

  • Know which buoys, beacons, and markers are lit in the area.

• VHF Radio Limitations:

  • Permitted for distress and operational communications on allowed channels.

• Rescue Skills Training:

  • Boaters should take courses in first aid and CPR for preparedness.

• Following Guidelines for Hypothermia:

  • If experiencing symptoms, monitor vital signs and provide warmth using dry clothing or blankets.