FISHING AND HUNTING
Because your main attention may not be on
boating, and because you may encounter
a wide range of conditions, you face extra
risks as a hunter or fisherman afloat.
The Navigation Rules apply along
with local rules to boaters engaged in fishing
and hunting.
• People who hunt and fish may not consider
themselves boaters; typically they
are better prepared for their primary
sport and may not take the necessary precautions
for boating.
• Usually they are in small boats that may
have low freeboard—leaning over the
side to retrieve decoys or fish can result in
capsizing or flooding.
• Often they are in a fixed location or drifting.
• They may not be focused on other boats
or weather or water conditions.
• Many hunting and fishing activities take
place when water can be quite cold, leading
to cold-water immersion or hypothermia
if a person falls in water.
• Be careful wearing waders; if you fall
overboard in deeper water, the waders
will fill with water and pull you down.
• Don’t stand in the boat unless it is
designed for standing.
Assign Areas for
Shooting or Casting
• Avoid dangerous overlap.
• Be aware of recoil from gun or motion
from casting.
DIVING AND SNORKELING
There are legal requirements for operating
a boat near snorkeling or diving operations.
You need to know how to recognize
divers to avoid risk to them.
• Diver Signal—Rigid replica of International
Code A Flag and diver-down red
flag with white diagonal stripe (Figure
13-2). (See section 6 Paragraphs 55 to 62.)
• Stay well clear of the area.
Section 13: Water Sports Safety 155
Figure 13-2. International diving flag—diver-down flag. The red and white diver-
down flag marks the diver location. The blue and white replica of “Code A” is
rigid and signifies submerged operations.
• Divers may stray from diving vessel.
• Check state and local regulations.
• Diver down flag use encompasses
snorkel, SCUBA, and similar free diving.
PADDLE SPORTS
Paddle sports represent the fastest growing
part of boating. Kayaking, canoeing, and
rowing are enjoyable opportunities to get
close to nature, have a great time, and get
some quality exercise in the process.
Whether you are planning on canoeing
or kayaking on a lake, river, or ocean,
you will need to plan your outing based
on the environment. You must know your
craft to make it a fun and safe trip.
Canoes and kayaks come in a variety
of shapes and sizes and have many choices
of equipment. You will need to decide how
and where you will be using your craft, primarily
to help you determine the purchases
you make.
Before you go out on the water, you
need to be aware that anything can happen
at any time. When it does you need to be
mentally and physically fit. Mentally, you
need to relax and be able to use techniques
you have read or were taught in a class. Physically,
you need to be sure your body can
exert more energy than it appears is needed.
Be smart and don’t plan to be out on the
water all day paddling when it is your first
time in a canoe or kayak. Start small with an
hour or so and a 1- to 2-mile trip, and work
up to a longer day. Take a hands-on training
course including rescue skills.
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Safety note: Human-
powered boats typically
have minimal
space for personnel.
Putting on and correctly
fastening a life
jacket while in the
paddle craft is often
not practical. It is
much safer to put
on and adjust the
USCG-approved
life jacket BEFORE
GETTING INTO
THE PADDLE
BOAT.