This means not letting your tank get below
one-third full. If followed, it also means
never running out of fuel. Plan for extra
fuel if you expect bad weather or strong
currents. Know the location of fuel stations
in the area of your cruise. Carry any extra
fuel in tanks designed for marine use.
If low on fuel, conserve; reduce speed
to just maintain headway. Planing uses a
great deal of fuel.
PWC Fuel
Most PWCs have a small reserve tank of
fuel onboard. Set the three-position fuel
selector switch to “Off” when you are
not using your PWC, use the “On” position
during normal operation, and the
“Reserve” position if you run out of fuel in
the “On” position. Head for home immediately
if you need to use the “Reserve” setting.
You have only a small amount of fuel
available to you.
Responding to a Fuel Shortage
You can get into trouble drifting with an
empty fuel tank. Anchor if you are in a safe
location—not in a channel. Check your
chart and estimate your position. Everyone
on board should be wear ing a life jacket.
With your boat disabled and unable to
maneuver, there is no way to pick up a person
in the water.
Help may be available from a fellow
boater. If you are off shore or in a quiet
cove, getting help may be more difficult.
If you have a VHF-FM radio onboard,
you can contact the Coast Guard using
Channel 16, providing you are in an area
they cover.
• Do not issue a Mayday.
• You can ask the Coast Guard to contact
a towing company or towing network for
you, or they can issue a general radio call
to which any commercial towing company
in the area may respond.
• If you call the Coast Guard or a commercial
company for help, be prepared to tell
them your location. The Coast Guard will
not send one of their boats unless there
is a life threatening emergency or a commercial
service is not available in the area
with in a reasonable time.
• You can also call a towing company yourself
on VHF-FM radio. There will be a
charge for service you receive from a private
towing company; towing insurance
may be a worthwhile investment.
Assistance may be available by contacting
the local marine patrol by radio. Simply
attracting the attention of another boater
by signaling may be the solution for the
small-boat owner boating on a lake.
Towing or Being Towed
You may sometime be asked to take
another vessel in tow. It is a longstanding
custom among boaters to offer assistance
to each other. Taking another vessel in tow
requires care and confidence in your own
ability as a skipper. If there is imminent
danger to per sons or property and immediate
action is necessary, act reasonably
and responsibly.
• Do not place your own crew and vessel at
undue risk.
• Your primary issue is safety. Towing can
be dangerous.
• A heavy strain on a tow line may cause
parting and resultant very dangerous
whip-lash.
• If you are not comfortable with providing
a tow because of weather conditions
or your own skill level, remember that
you can also be of assistance by calling for
help or by going yourself to get help for
the vessel needing the tow.
Towing Procedures
Towing requires certain safety precautions
with which you should be familiar (Table
11-6):
• Everyone in both vessels should don life
jackets.
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