How To Boat
Emergencies & Equipment
By staying alert and watching out for other people and potentially hazardous situations, you can avoid conditions that cause boats to sink or capsize. Many accidents are caused by speeding, unsafe turns, overloading the boat, or hitting an underwater object. Capsizing and people falling overboard cause many life-threatening situations. Everyone should wear a PFD at all times.
If someone falls overboard, throw a PFD with a line attached. Then, carefully bring the boat to the person, stopping the engine when near the person in the water. Maneuvering a boat into position and pulling someone out of the water without capsizing the vessel is very difficult.
Every boat with a gasoline engine should have at least one fire extinguisher. It should be a Coast Guard-approved extinguisher for electrical and gasoline fires. Keep it where it can be reached quickly, near the stern of the boat, but not too close to the engine.
Equipment and Storage
A boat should always be kept tidy. Life-saving gear must be stored where it can be reached quickly. Gasoline containers should be placed in the stern and clamped in brackets or held down with cords. Anchors should be stowed in the bow with the anchor line coiled neatly for instant use.
Batteries should be stored in battery boxes and have their terminals covered to prevent electrical shorting and fires. All other gear, including fishing tackle, should be stored so that it doesn't move around or blow out when the boat is under way.
Learn to use a compass correctly, and then always carry one on board because fog, rain, or darkness can cause you to lose your way.
Storms
Boating during a storm can be dangerous, especially when there is lightning, strong wind or high waves. The first thing to do is make sure everyone is wearing a PFD. Put all fishing rods in the bottom of the boat. Stay low or lie down in the boat to reduce the risk of capsizing. Get off the water as soon as you can.
Don't fish during an electrical storm. Anglers are killed every year when their rods or boats are hit by lightning.
If you can't get off the water, try to prevent waves from coming in over the stern or striking the boat on its side. The best way is to keep the boat moving at a slight angle into the waves. Moving with the waves can be dangerous. They can come in over the transom and fill the boat with water. This could sink the boat.
If you have no choice and must ride out a storm on the water, use a heavy anchor with a long line attached to the bow of the boat. The anchor line needs to be at least seven times the depth of the water so that the anchor can hold to the bottom. If the anchor drags, make sure that the boat is not pulled into rocks, shallow water, or rougher water.
