Section 13: Water Sports Safety 153
accidents occur during calm, clear weather
with light winds. You must be extremely vigilant
during periods of bad weather.
There are numerous dangerous weather
conditions afloat that can take the unprepared
skipper by surprise. Strong winds usually
accompany an approaching front. Both
cold fronts and warm fronts may have strong
winds that change direction upon the passage
of the front. Capsizing, swamping, and/or
knock-downs can often result if precautions
are not taken in advance of the front. Long,
persistent storms, including hurricanes,
don’t just spring up all of a sudden. There are
well-understood precursors to such events
including the systematic changing of cloud
patterns and wave conditions. A highly visible
and frequent indication of an approaching
thunderstorm is a buildup of towering black
clouds. Seeing lightning or hearing distant
thunder is a sure sign that thunderstorms
are in the area. An often overlooked hazardous
condition is fog. An extremely hot and
balmy day is a perfect day for boating, but if
the water happens to be extremely cold, the
resulting conditions can produce very dense
fog. Hot air overlying cold water is the perfect
recipe for a condition referred to as advection
fog. Learn to read the local conditions to
make reasonable judgments about changing
and forthcoming weather.
Weather forecasts usually include predictions
of wave height and water conditions.
Small-craft warnings are issued whenever
dangerous conditions are forecast. Wave
heights are measured peak-to-trough and are
indicated in feet or meters (1 meter is approximately
3.3 feet). Heights of 1 to 2 feet may be
comfortable for cruisers or some sailboats but
may be extremely dangerous to other smaller
craft. Learn which conditions are acceptable
for your vessel. Also consider the comfort of
your passengers. Passengers aboard a boat
usually begin to be knocked about well before
conditions become truly life-threatening.
Some key reminders are:
• Anticipate bad weather.
• Check forecasts before departure.
• Monitor weather reports and maintain a
watch.
• Seek shelter if adverse conditions can occur.
RECREATIONAL TOWING
(TUBING, WATERSKIING, ETC)
Recreational towing encompasses waterskiing
with all types of boat-towed activity allowing
anyone to participate in an activity using
the wake of the boat (wake boards, tubes,
etc.). Tubing, knee boarding, and ski seat
vehicles are also popular and fun, but they
add another dimension of risk for the person
being towed. WEARING an impact-rated life
jacket is required by all being towed (check
the USCG Approved label on the life jacket
to ensure it is appropriate for the intended
speed on the water). The USCG approval and
impact speed rating will be stated on the life
jacket for reference when selecting the appropriate
life jacket for your activity. This type
of life jacket may not turn the unconscious
wearer face up, requires little maintenance,
and is of rugged construction designed for
waterskiing or other high-speed activities.
The observer on the towing vehicle
is required and the essential link from the
captain to the towed persons; hand signals
between the towed person and the observer
are necessary. Emergency signals to immediately
cut engine power should be clear
and simple; a common signal is a “slashing
motion across the neck.”
1. Speed up the boat: thumb up.
2. Slow down the boat: thumb down.
3. Cut motor or stop (also used by driver or
observer): slashing motion over the neck.
4. Turn the boat (also used by driver):
circle motion with arms overhead then
point in desired direction.
5. Return to dock: pat on the head.
6. Speed and boat path OK or signals
understood: OK signal with hand.
7. Skier OK after falling: hands clasped
over head or ski held over head.
Once a skier is down, one of the most
important signals is for the skier to let the
driver know immediately that the skier is
all right. This is done by the simple gesture
of clasping both hands over the head. In the
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Safety note!
If You Feel a Shock,
Swim Away from
the Dock. Outdated
wiring and lack of
proper safety equipment
and routine
maintenance on
docks and boats
plugged into shore
power can cause
situations where
electricity leaks into
the water. This can
cause paralysis leading
to death. Feel a
tingle, swim away
and to shore, not to
the dock or boat.