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Safety regulations for power boats |
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Your power boat is designed to give you high speed and pleasure but you can enjoy it more if you observe safety regulations at all times. There are some safety measures that you can take to keep you, your passengers and your powerboats safe at all times.
The following points are in no way complete but you can use them as safety guides for a more pleasurable boat ride.
- Always wear a personal flotation device (PFD) while on the water. Other important accessories to carry inside your vessel include a knife, a waterproof VHF radio, and pocket flares.
- For added protection on your skin while powerboating, bring a wide brim hat, UV sunglasses and sunscreen lotion.
- Keep your VHF radio on to listen for distress calls, weather conditions and unexpected hazards.
- Know the basics of rescuing someone from drowning and even hypothermia .
- Get yourself as well as your companions familiar with the important parts of the boat for easier communication, especially during emergency situations.
- Know the Navigation Rules. In general, powerboats will give way to sailboats, fishing boats engaged in fishing with nets, trawls and lines, and large vessels restrained by draft or by a channel. When a vessel is overtaking another boat, the overtaking vessel is the give-way vessel regardless of the type of boat overtaken.
- In case two powerboats approach each other, the one on your port (left) side will give way in ample time and with an obvious change of course and/or speed. The other boat should maintain course and speed unless it becomes apparent that the give-way boat is not taking appropriate action to avoid a collision.
- Watch out for daymarks and buoys for they serve as a guide for the location of safe waters and hazards.
- Know the basics of knot tying and the different applications of each knot.
- Always anchor with caution. Make sure the water is deep enough for the anchorage but also consider the changing water depths with tides when at anchor.
- Always approach the dock slowly and with much caution. Remember that power boats do not have brakes and do not immediately reverses the forward motion of the boat.
- Check the weather forecast before you go out on the weather. Don’t take any chances when you see thunder clouds approaching.
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