Section 11: Adverse Conditions and Emergencies 113
Section 11: Adverse Conditions and Emergencies
E very boater would prefer to be on the
water in pleasant weather and ideal
conditions. In spite of the best planning
and preparation, you will at some
point encounter unexpected bad weather,
restricted visibility, or unpleasant situations
such as running out of fuel, grounding,
or needing to be towed. Unfortunately,
emergency situations or changes in weather
are facts of life.
You may even find yourself involved
with life-threatening situations such as people
falling overboard, capsizing, swamping,
collision, or serious medical emergencies.
Seven out of ten boating fatalities occur on
boats 20 feet or less.
Accidents occur on days with light
winds, calm waters, and good visibility as
well as in adverse conditions. Many unusual
situations encountered on the water can be
avoided, and all can be handled well with
proper knowledge. In addition to responsibilities
for your boat, you have a DUTY TO
PROVIDE ASSISTANCE AT SEA; USC
2304 states: A master or individual in charge
of a vessel shall render assistance to any individual
found at sea in danger of being lost, so
far as the master or individual in charge can
do so without serious danger to the master’s
or individual’s vessel or individuals on board.
Upon completion of this chapter, you
should know how to:
• Plan your fuel needs in advance so that
you will always have ample fuel
• Handle your boat properly in bad
weather, heavy seas, and restricted visibility
• Respond in a capable manner to situations
such as collision, grounding, falls
overboard, fire, swamping, capsizing,
towing, and certain medical emergencies
• Reduce inconvenience and minimize difficulties
by planning ahead, being alert,
operating courteously, and knowledgeably
handling your boat under almost any
condition.
• One message will be repeated throughout
this chapter; the importance of wearing a
life jacket which is serviceable, i.e. not torn
or punctured and all fasteners work. Put
it on, it preserves lives. Make sure everyone
is wearing one at the first sign of bad
weather or trouble (Figure 11-1). If life
jackets are not being worn, they must be
readily accessible. Without exception,
everyone on board should wear a life
jacket when underway at night.
A PFD should be the proper size for
the intended wearer. It is especially important
that a child’s PFD fits snugly. Test the
fit by picking the child up by the shoulders
of the PFD and checking that the child’s
chin and ears do not slip through.
Life jackets float; you don’t! Most
boating fatalities involve people not wearing
life jackets. In eight out of ten fatalities,
life jackets were available but not
worn.
Figure 11-1. Wearing PFDs
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