Figure 3-8. Properly loaded boat
afraid to issue instructions. Make sure
your passengers and crew know in
advance what is expected of them and
where they can find needed equipment.
You may not have time to explain when
something happens. The skipper is obligated
to educate everyone on board about
matters of safety. This includes information
on the location and proper use of life
jackets (PFDs), fire extinguishers, visual
distress equipment, and the first-aid kit.
You are required to explain: emergency
procedures; rules against discharging
waste overboard; basic operation of the
marine radio (if one is installed); other
items, such as the operating, weather,
and/or water conditions you may encounter,
anchoring procedures, docking and
line handling, the dangers of falling overboard
and being struck by the propeller.
(Review Table 3-1).
6. Load your Boat Properly. The boat was
designed to sit level and at the waterline
when fully loaded. Load passengers and
equipment alternately to achieve proper
trim. Pack gear to balance the load, and
don’t overload (Figure 3-8). Your boat
may have a label identifying its capac
ity–check it. Also, if on a small boat, be
sure to step carefully into the center of
the boat, not the gunwale, and don’t let
anyone jump.
7. Wear your Life Jackets (Personal Flotation
Devices). Children under 13
years of age must wear life jackets–Federal
regulation–when underway on a
recreational boat unless they are in an
enclosed cabin or below decks. This
applies unless there is a state regulation,
in which case the state regulation prevails.
You are required to have PFDs for
all on board, and all should wear them.
Some 80% of drownings occur when a
person is not wearing a PFD. Select one
that is comfortable and wear it. Set a
good example for your passengers and
crew (Figure 3-9).
8. Check Engine Compartment, Run
Blowers. At the risk of being redundant,
we again remind you to ALWAYS check
your engine compartment for signs of
fuel or fuel vapors, or water, and run
your blower (Figure 3-10) for 4 min-
38 Chapter One
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Figure 3-9. Wearing life jackets
Intake Cowling
Figure 3-10. Running blowers
Exhaust
Cowling
Blower