Boating

Boat Classifications

Class A:      Less than 16 feet
Class 1:      16 feet to less than 26 feet
Class 2:      26 feet to less than 40 feet
Class 3:      40 feet to not more than 65 feet

Skipper’s Terms

Port means the left side of a boat looking forward.

Starboard means the right side of a boat looking forward.

Bow means the front of a boat.

Stern means the back of a boat.

Fore means in the front of a boat.

Aft means in the back of a boat.

Boating Rules

To make sure that your boating trip is as safe as possible, you should:

• Check your state laws regarding boating regulations. Many states have mandatory boating education programs.
• Not ride in a boat being operated by someone who has been drinking.
• Develop a float plan. Anytime you go out in a boat, give a responsible person details about where you will be and how long you will be gone. This is important because if you are delayed as a result of an emergency, becomes lost or encounters other problems with the boat, you want help to be able to reach you.
• Find a boating course in your area (such as the Red Cross, U.S. Power Squadron, the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, the state boating authority or U.S. Sailing)—these courses teach about navigation rules, emergency procedures and the effects of wind, water conditions and weather.
• Familiarize yourself with the water by taking a look at nautical maps.
• Inspect the safety equipment, boat, motor and personal flotation devices (PFDs) to be sure all are in good condition.
• Check local weather reports, and obey storm or gale warnings.
• Always wear your life jacket.
• Never boat near a dam. (Above a dam, the boat could be pulled into a floodgate. Below a dam, the boat could be hit by a wall of water created when the floodgates are opened.) (See Currents & Dams Facts)
• Check the boat capacity plate to be sure you do not overload the boat. (The capacity plate shows the maximum load and the horsepower rating of the boat. It is located inside the boat, in a conspicuous place.)

Safety Equipment

There are federal and state requirements for boating equipment. Check the specific requirements for the type of boat you will be operating. The nearest U.S. Coast Guard installation, Coast Guard Auxiliary or U.S. Power Squadron will be able to give you full information. You should not stop at the minimum requirements for equipment. Here is a list of equipment to guide you:

Float Plan Information

Anytime you go out in a boat, you should give a responsible person details about where you will be and how long you will be gone. If you are planning to be out in a boat for a few hours or longer, you should leave a float plan with a responsible person.

A float plan should contain the following information:

• Boat name and number
• Boat color, size, make and capacity
• Number of engines, horsepower and type of fuel used if any
• Number of persons on board and their names, addresses and telephone numbers
• Type of radio equipment on board
• Departure date, time and location
• Estimated arrival date, time and location
• Destination
• Date and time you want the Coast Guard notified if you fail to reach your predetermined destination
• A detailed sample of a float plan can be found at the end of this fact sheet.

Boarding and Debarking

There are certain ways to get on (to board) and to get off of (to debark) a boat. When you board and debark be sure that:

• You keep your weight low and toward the center of the boat.
• Another person holds and stabilizes the boat, if necessary, to prevent it from
• capsizing.
• You grasp the gunwales (sides) when stepping in or out.
• Only one person at a time boards or debarks.
• When all the passengers have boarded, trim the boat by balancing the weight from side to side and from front to back.

"Rules of the Road"

Right-of-way:     Boats with motors give the right-of-way to boats without motors, except when a sailboat overtakes a motorboat.

Meeting:     When two boats meet head-on, each should keep to its right.

Crossing:     A boat on the right has the right-of-way.

Passing:      A boat being passed has the right-of-way. The passing boat must signal with a whistle, bell or horn which side it will pass on. (One blast means the boat will pass right; two blasts mean the boat will pass left.)

How to Signal for Help

Some visual distress signals are:

• An orange flag
• An arm signal using brightly colored cloth
• An SOS light
• An orange smoke signal
• A flare
• Morse code
• Marine radio channel 16

What to Do if Your Boat Capsizes

If your boat capsizes, you should:

• Stay with the boat so rescuers can find you.
• Leave the boat only in an emergency, such as a fire or an approaching waterfall or dam.
• Hold on to the hull of the boat or sit in it with a paddle with your hands.

How to Rescue Someone from the Water

If you are in a boat and see someone in trouble in the water, you should:

• Approach the victim by going against the wind and current.
• Turn off your motor when you get near the victim.
• Reach or throw, don’t go.
• Keep the boat trimmed (balanced) when you help the victim aboard.