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BoatDrivingSafety

Reference Material

May 2011 ©Water Ski and Wakeboard Canada

Water Ski and Wakeboard Canada – www.wswc.ca

Acknowledgements This Coach Workbook has been compiled from resources produced by various safe boatingauthorities.WSWCisalsoindebtedtotheWaterSkiandWakeboardOntarioanditspersonnelforsharing its technical information for the ReferenceMaterial, which served as a soundmodel forfurtherdevelopmentofthiscoachingprogram.Wewould like to thank Transport Canada for developing the rules and regulations of CanadiannavigablewatersandforallowingustheuseofsomeartworkandideasfromtheirPleasureCraftOperatorscourses.We would also like to thank the following companies for allowing us to use their photos andartwork:CorrectCraft Inc. themanufacturerofNautiqueBoats–www.nautique.com - forall fullboatandhullpicturesandillustrations.BoaterExam.com–www.boaterexam.com-for“RulesoftheRoad”diagrams.BoatEd–www.boat-ed.com-forengineillustrations.Boating,Sailing,andKayakingGuide–www.boatingsailingandkayakingguide.yolasite.com–fortheropediagram.In addition,wewish to thank the Boat Driving SafetyWorkgroup for volunteering their time todevelopthisgreatlearningresource.Preparedby: JeffLaycockandTimVanWinckleTechnicalContributionsby: BlakeRowsell JayPoole

ChrisHolden KenNelsonGerryWhittaker ShawnGratzfeld

Water Ski and Wakeboard Canada – www.waterski-wakeboard.ca

Reference Material Water Ski and Wakeboard Canada (WSWC) is committed to providing a safe experience to all involved in towed water sports in Canada. To this end, WSWC has designed a course aimed at providing boat drivers the tools to perform their tasks effectively and safety whether in a recreational or tournament capacity. Safety is everyone’s responsibility. It is “Rule One”. It is an attitude in which everyone assumes responsibility for their own equipment, safety and well being and looks out for the safety and well being of others as well. Water Ski and Wakeboard Canada is keen to promote a safety-first attitude throughout the sporting experience. This course (and reference material) will outline the mandatory criteria and obligations as well as provide best-practices for boat driving. The reference material has been created to service the towed water sports.


Table of Contents Section1:Safety………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...…...1SettingtheScene………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...2BoatingRegulations……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………3TheBoatDriver&TheirResponsibilities……………………………………………………………………………………..5WeatherandWaterConditions…………………………………………………………………………………………………...6Section2:Driving……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..………7CommunicationSignals………………………………………………………………………………………………………………8360DegreesofAwareness………………………………………………………………………………………………………….9DrivingfortheBasicStart………………………………………………………………………………………………………..….9MaintainingandControllingBoatSpeed……………………………………………………………………………………...9PickingUpaFallenParticipant-KeyHoleTurn……………………………………………………………………..…..10GettingaFallenParticipantintotheboat…………………………………………………………………………..……….11“Landing”aParticipant……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..12BeginnerLoop………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….13BarbellPattern…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...…….13Docking…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...……………….14Section3:Appendixes…………………………………………………………………………………………………...…….15Section3A:Safety…………………………………………………………………………………………………………...……16GeneralSafety…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..16CrewOrientation…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….………..16EmergencyActionPlan…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….17PublicLakeEtiquette………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..17TyingtheBoat…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..18FirstAidKitRequirements…………………………………………………………………………………………………..……18PleasureCraftSafetyEquipmentRequirements…………………………………………………………………..……..18Section3B:Driving……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..20MaintainingandControllingSpeed……………………………………………………………………………………………20CompetitionDriving…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………20SiteInspection……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….…20RightofWay…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….21BeforeYouLeavetheDockChecklist…………………………………………………………………………………………23CastingOff………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..24Section3C:Equipment………………………………………………………………………………………………………...25SafeRe-fuelling………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...25CompetitionDriving…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………25PersonalFlotationDevices(PFDs)…………………………………………………………………………………………….25AttachingRopes………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..26DifferenceinBoats……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………28Non-SkiBoatDriving…………………………………………………………………………………………………………...……30SpeedControlSystems……………………………………………………………………………………………………………...31Trim…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………31BalancingtheBoat……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………31

Water Ski and Wakeboard Canada – www.waterski-wakeboard.ca

Section3D:Resources…………………………………………………………………………………………………...……32DrivingTestPattern……………………………………………………………………………………………………..................32BoatDrivingSafetyCourseExam..…………………………………………………………………………………………………33Section4:Questions……………………………………………………………………………………………………....……34BoatDrivingSafetyQuestions………………………...……………………………………………………………..................34BoatDrivingSelfTest..……………………………………………………………………………………...……………………………36

Overview

CONTENT DURATION PAGE

1 Section1:Safety(OnLand) 30min 1

2 CommunicationSignals 15min 5

3 360DegreesofAwareness 15min 6

4 KeyHoldTurn-PickingUpaFallenParticipant 30min 7

5 DrivingfortheBasicStart 30min 8

6 MaintainingandControllingSpeed 5min 9

7 GettingaFallenParticipantintotheBoat 15min 10

8 “Landing”aParticipant 15min 11

9 BeginnerLoop 15min 12

10 BarbellPattern 15min 13

11 Docking 1hour 14

12 Exam 1hour 19

TOTALCOURSETIME 5hours

1 | P a g e Water Ski and Wakeboard Canada – www.wswc.ca

Section 1: Safety

Water Ski and Wakeboard Canada – www.waterski-wakeboard.ca P a g e | 2

SettingtheSceneWaterSkiandWakeboardCanada(WSWC)iscommittedtoprovidingasafeexperiencetoallinvolvedintowedwatersportsinCanada.Tothisend,WSWChasdesignedacourseaimedatprovidingboatdriversthetoolstoperformtheirtaskseffectivelyandsafetywhetherinarecreationalortournamentcapacity.Safetyiseveryone’sresponsibility.Itis“RuleOne”.Itisanattitudeinwhicheveryoneassumesresponsibilityfortheirownequipment,safetyandwellbeingandlooksoutforthesafetyandwellbeingofothersaswell.WaterSkiandWakeboardCanadaiskeentopromoteasafety-firstattitudethroughoutthesportingexperience.Thiscourse(andreferencematerial)willoutlinethemandatorycriteriaandobligationsaswellasprovidebest-practicesforboatdriving.Thereferencematerialhasbeencreatedtoservicethetowedwatersportscommunity. Thegoalsofthecourseare:

• Fornewboatdriverstocompleteallon-watertrainingandleavethecoursewitharealisticmeasurementoftheirsafeboatdrivingability

• Fordriverstoleavethecoursewithrelevanttoolsandreferencestocontinueimprovementinboatdrivingskills

• Makeitmoreenjoyableforfutureparticipants.• Newinstructorsorpeoplewhoarenewtothesportwillimprovetheirboatdrivingskillsto

maketheenvironmentsafer.• Drivingaboatforpleasureversustowingaparticipanthasvarioustechnicaldifferences

thatoneshouldbeawareof.Byacknowledgingthesedifferences,oneaidsincreatingthesafestenvironmentpossible.

KeyComponentsforSafeBoatDriving:

• Useacompetentandknowledgeableobserver• Chooseasafeareaawayfromchannels,swimmingareas,skin-divers,fishermen,

shallow/unknownwatersandrestrictedareas• Befamiliarwithemergencyproceduresandmakesurestaffaretrainedproperly• Beawareofoilandgaslevelsatalltimes• BesurethattheboatcontainsallpropersafetyequipmentaspertheCanadianCoastGuard.• Driveresponsiblyanddefensively


BoatingRegulationsBoatinginCanadaisgovernedbyseveralimportantacts,codesandregulationsthatapplytoalloperatorsandvessels.Whenoperatingaboat,youareresponsibleforthevessel,yourguestsandcrewandanydamagecausedbyyourboat'smovementthroughthewater,includingdamagefromtheboat'swash.Operatorsand/orownersofpleasurecraftthatdonocomplywithCanadianlawsandregulationscouldbesubjecttofinesorpenaltiesunderthefollowing:

• SmallVesselRegulations(http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/marinesafety/vessels-pleasure-1279.htm)

• CollisionRegulations(http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/marinesafety/tp-tp14070-menu-1648.htm)

• CanadaShippingAct(http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/acts-regulations/acts-2001c26.htm)• BoatingRestrictionRegulations(http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/marinesafety/debs-obs-

resources-publications-restriction-menu-245.htm)• ChartandNauticalPublicationsRegulations(http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/marinesafety/tp-

tp14070-2917.htm)• CriminalCodeofCanada(http://laws.justice.gc.ca/en/c-46/)can’tfindexactboatsection

EnforcementBoatinginCanadafallsunderseveraldifferentjurisdictionsandcanbeenforcedbyseveraldifferentlawenforcementagenciesononebodyofwater.ThesecanincludeandarenotlimitedtoTheCanadianCoastGuard,TheRoyalCanadianNavy,TheRCMP,ProvincialPolice,andMunicipalenforcement.BoatInsuranceAllprovincialofficesofferdiscountsonboatinsurance.Checkoutthelinkbelowtoseewhatwehavetoofferyou:www.waterski-wakeboard.ca/programs_adaptive_e.php?p=programs_towsmartboatinsurance_eRequiredSafetyEquipmentCanadianVesselsarerequiredbylawtohaveastandardsetofsafetyequipmentwhichisdeterminedbytheCanadianCoastGuard.Safetystandardschangebasedonvesselsizeandtype.Belowistherequiredsafetyequipmentfortheaveragesizetowboat.Pleaseseeappendix3Aforthefullsafetyequipmentstandards.


SafetyRequirementsforCanadianVesselsupto9m(29ft)

• Class5BCfireextinguisher• BailingDeviceormanualbilgepumpwithsufficienthosetoreachoverthegunwale• Whistleormanualairsignalingdevice• PaddlesorAnchorwithminimum15mrode• WaterTightFlashlight• CanadianCoastGuardapprovedlifejacketorPFDforeachpersononboardaswellasfor

theparticipantbehindtheboat.(notemostskivestsarenotapprovedlifejackets)• 15m(50ft)Buoyantheavingline–(ifusingatowropethehandlemustfloat)• Appropriatenavigationlightsarerequiredfornightoperation• 6FlarestypeA,B,C(requiredonlyifvesselisonawaterwaywhereavesselmaybemore

than1nauticalmile(1.85km)fromshore• Onere-boardingdevice.(Note:Notnecessaryifboathasaswimplatform)

SafetyRequirementsforCanadianPersonalWaterCrafts(PWC’s)*NOTE:Theremustaseatfortheparticipantbehindtheboat*

• CanadianCoastGuardApprovedLifeJacketorPFDforeachpersononboardaswellasskier(notemostskivestsarenotapprovedlifejackets)

• 15m(50ft)BuoyantheavingLine• PaddlesorAnchorwithminimum15mrope• BailingDeviceormanualbilgepumpwithsufficienthosetoreachoverthegunwale• WaterTightFlashlight• WhistleorManualAirHorn• Fireextinguisher-class5BCfireextinguisher

Note*IfoperatorandeveryoneonboardiswearinganapprovedlifejacketorPFDpaddle,anchor,bailer/manualpump,andfireextinguisherareNOTrequired.


TheBoatDriver&TheirResponsibilitiesTheBoatDriverisresponsiblefortheoverallsafeconductofeveryoneparticipatingintowedwatersportactivity.Thisincludestheathletesandallmembersoftheboatcrew.Responsibilitiesincludebothlegalandmoralobligations.Federal/Provincial/MunicipalBoatingRegulationsTheBoatdriverisresponsibleforensuringthey(andallparticipants)conformtoallprovincialand/orfederalboatingregulationswhileonthewater,including:DriverhasavalidPleasureCraftOperator(PCO)cardandiscarryingthecardOtherProvincialorMunicipalregulationsareobservedTheboathasallthenecessarysafetyequipmentTowingactivitiesareallowedintheperiodfromonehourpriortodawntoonehourafterduskCriminalCodeofCanadaFromalegalpointofviewinCanada,behavioursbytheboatdriverthatareoffencesundertheCriminalCodeofCanadainclude:

• Operatingavesseldangerously• Operatingavesselwhileimpaired• Towingathlete’swithoutaspotter• Failingtostopatthesceneofanaccident• Operatinganunseaworthyvessel

Zero-tolerancePolicy–ConsumptionofalcoholandIllicitDrugsAlthoughthelegallimitofalcoholforaboatdriverinCanadais0.05,itisWaterSkiWakeboardCanada’spositionthatanyboatdriverparticipatingintowedwatersportactivitiesmaintainazerobloodalcohollevel.Aswithanyjobdrivingavehicleyoushouldconsumezeroalcoholorillicitsubstancepriortoorduringoperation.Itisimportanttounderstandthatanyalcoholcanhaveanegativeimpactordistortperception.Theseinclude:

• Reducingthedriver’sreactiontime• Raisinglegalissuesarisingfromconsumptionandthenrespondingtoanincident• Creatinganegativeenvironment(athletes,boatcrew,etc.haveseenconsumptionof

alcohol)• Chargesrelatedtooperatingavesselwithabloodalcohollevelinexcessofthelegallimit

willresultinlosingyourmarinelicenceaswellasyourmotorvehiclelicence.


SiteInspectionTheboatdriver,priortoanytowedwatersportactivity,shouldcompleteasiteinspectiontoensuretheareaissafeandshouldincludethefollowing:Take-offandlandingareas:(e.g.docksandthewatersadjacenttothedock)toseethattheyarefreeofrocks,brokenglassorotherhazardousobjects.Priortoanyparticipantbeingtowed,completeafullscanofthewaterwaytoensureitisfreeofdebrisWeatherandWaterConditionsParticipatingintowedwatersportswherevisibilityislimitedcanbeverydangerousasobstacles,otherboatsorevenfallenskiers/boarderscanbeverydifficulttoseeinatimelymanner.Ifyoucannotseewhereyouaregoing,youcannotparticipatesafely.Participatingintowedwatersportsbeforedawnandaftersunsetisobviouslydangerousand,isinfact,againstthelawinCanada.Fog,mistandheavyrainofferthesamehazards.Theboatdriverhastheresponsibilitytostopthetowedactivityshouldvisibilitybereducedtoanunsafelevel.Allboatingandtowedwatersportactivityshouldceaseimmediatelyifthunder(and/orlightning)ispresent.Thegeneralruleofthumbistowait30minutesafterthelastrumbleorlightningstrikebeforereturningtothewater.Oncethunderorlightningisdetected,themostprudentactionistodock(ortrailer)theboat.Oncetheboatismooredeveryoneonboardshoulddisembarkthevesselandseekanappropriateshelteronland.WaterConditionsTowedwatersportsshouldbeconfinedtoareasfreefromanysortofcongestion.Thisincludesallboattraffic,marinasandharborsaswellasswimmingandscubadivingareas.Thewatermustbefreefromobstaclesbothbelowandabovethesurface,suchasrocks,sunkenlogs,shoalsandsandbars-aswellasdivingboardsandothersimilarobjectsthatprojectoverthewater,eitherfromtheshoreorfromfloatingrafts.Thewatermustalsobefreefromfloatingdebris.Idealwateriscalm.Astheroughnessofthewaterincreases,sodoestheriskoftheathletefallingandpotentiallyinjuringthemselves.Asthedriveryoumustconstantlymonitorthesurfaceconditionsofthewateranddetermineifyourathleteisabletosafelyridethroughanysortofsurfacechop.Ifyouareunsureofanathlete’sabilitytocopewithanytypeofsurfacecondition,ceasetowing,bringtheriderbackontheboatandrelocatetoanareathathasbetterconditions.


Section 2: Driving


CommunicationSignalsThereareeightcommunicationsignalsthatallmembersoftheboatcrew(driver,observerandparticipant)shouldknowandusewhileparticipatingintowedwatersportactivities.Theyare:

SPEEDUP

The'ThumbsUp"gestureorpalmupisusedtoindicateanincreaseinspeed.


SLOWDOWN

The"ThumbsDown"orpalmdownisusedtoindicateadecreaseinspeed.

TURN(AROUND)

Wheneithertheparticipantorthedriverusesacirclingmotionabovetheirheadwiththearm,aturnisindicated.Thissignalcanbefollowedbypointinginthedirectionoftheturn.

BACKTODOCKor“Home”

Apatonthetopoftheheadindicatesthedesiretoreturntothedock.

CUTMOTOR

Afingermotionacrossthethroatindicatestheboatistostopimmediately.Thiscanbeusedbytheparticipant,driverand/orobserver.

STOP

Handraisedwithfingersoutstretched(similartoindicatingthenumber5)meanstheparticipantsisfinishedandwantstheboattostop.

O.K.AFTERFALL

Bothhandsclaspedovertheheadassoonastheparticipantissureheisalrightindicatetotheobservertheparticipant’scondition.

O.K

"0"madewiththethumbandindexfingerindicateseverythingissatisfactory.

360DegreesofAwarenessOneofthekeystodrivingaboatisbeingcompletelyawareofyoursurroundings.Theboatdriverisresponsiblefornotonlytheboatanditsoccupantsbutalsotheparticipant.Don’texpectotherstoknowtherulesonthewater.Surroundingsthatthedrivershouldbeawareof:


• Swimmers• Boats(thedrivermustneverassumethattheotherboatisawareofthem)• Paddleboats,personalwatercraft(i.e.JetSki),sailboats,windsurfers,andcanoes.• Offshorebuoys(indicatingshallowwaterorswimmingwater),navigationalbuoys,

swimmingrafts.Theboatdrivershouldbeawareoftheparticipantatalltimes;theboatdrivergreatlyinfluencesthesuccessoftheparticipant.Thefollowingareparticipantelementsthatthedriverisresponsiblefor:

• Takingupslackintheropeinaslowandcontrolledmannertoensurethattheparticipantisnotpulledoffbalancewhenpreparingtostart.

• Properaccelerationtopulltheparticipantoutofthewater;takeintoaccounttheweightandskilloftheparticipant.

• Maintaintheproperparticipantspeedfortheskillleveloftheparticipant,especiallythroughaturn.

• Usingtheturningpatternbestsuitedtotheskillleveloftheparticipant.• Properdecelerationoftheboattosinktheparticipantatthedock.• Watchingtheparticipantatalltimeswheninthewater(afterafallorswimmingtothe

dock).DrivingfortheBasicStart

• Idletheboatslowlyoutfromthedock–telltheskiertowaitforyoursignalbeforeenteringthewater

• Slowlylineuptheskiersotheyaredirectlybehindtheboatwiththeropetight• WaitfortheskiertosignaltheirreadinessortheInstructor’ssignal• Beforeaccelerating,straightenthemotororrudderandlookforwardtoensurethatyou

haveaclearboatpath• Speedofacceleratingdependsontheweightandskilllevelandtypeofskier.Regardlessof

thespeedofacceleration,theaccelerationshouldalwaysbeconstant.Theensuretheproperaccelerationspeed,watchtheskiertheentiretimetheyarebeingpulledoutofthewater(orasmuchasissafeforyoursurroundings)

• Astheboatplanesonthewater,settheproperskierspeedbywatchingwherethewaterbreaksontheskiorwakeboard.Forabasictwoskier,thewatershouldbebreakingattheskier’stoes.Aboatdrivershouldbeabletodetermineaproperspeedforaskierwithoutusingaspeedometerortachometer.

MaintainingandControllingBoatSpeedConsistencyiscrucialwhendrivingforanytypeoftowedwatersport.Thespeedshouldbeheldconstantbyalwayskeepingyourrighthandonthethrottle.Ifaspeedchangedoesneedtobemade,itshouldbedoneinaslowandcontrolledmanner.PickingUpaFallenParticipant-KeyHoleTurn


A) Whenaskierfalls,theobserverwillinformthedriver,whowilldeceleratetoidlespeedandthenproceedtoturnbacktopickupthefallenskier.Thenturnshouldonlybemadeaftertheboathasdecelerated.Thedrivershouldasktheobserveriftheathletegavethe“OK”signal.

B) Returntothefallenathleteatidlespeed,alwayskeepingtheathleteonthedriver’ssideoftheboat.

C) Thedrivermaneuverstheboatina‘keyhole’patternaround

theskier,keepingasafedistanceof10-15feetor3-5metresastheboatcirclestheskierandtheskierretrievestherope

D) Slowlytightentherope,usingforwardandneutralasyouline

uptheskierdirectlybehindtheboatandwaitfortheskiertogetthehandleandgetready.

E) Waitfortheskier’sreadysignal.Straightenthemotorand

lookforwardtoensureaclearandsafeboatpath.Watchtheskierasmuchasissafeforyoursurroundingsasyouacceleratesmoothly.

A

X

B

C

D

E


GettingaFallenParticipantintotheboatIfyoudonothaveasituationwhereyoucanreturnyourparticipantbacktothedock,youwillneedtogettheskierintotheboat.Pleaseconsiderfromtheparticipant’sviewpointaboatapproachingthem.Inmostcasesyourskierorriderwillbenewtothesportornewtoyouasacoach.Forthatreason,alargeboatapproachingaparticipantinthewatermightbeveryscaryforthepersoninthewater.Youshouldalwaysbepreparedtoshuttheboatoffatanytime.Ifyougetintoadangeroussituationthebestmoveistojustshuttheengineofftolimitharmfromthespinningpropellertotheathlete.

• Approachafallenathleteonthedriver’sside.Inthesamewayasyourkeyhole,approachtheskier10-15feetaway.Thiswillhelpalleviateanyfearandmaketheapproachsafer.

• Approachtheskierslowlyusingforwardandneutraltokeepthespeeddown.Itismuchsaferforthemtoswimafewfeetthantotrytodrivetheboatclosetothem.

• Providedyouareasafedistanceawayyoushouldusealittlereversetoslowyourforwardmomentum.However,pleaserememberthatinmostinboardboatsthatwillcausethesternoftheboattoswingtowardtheathlete.Ifyouaredrivinganoutboardorinboard/outboardbewarewhichdirectionyourengineisturned.

• Assoonasyouhavereachedasafedistancefromtheparticipantandhavestoppedtheforwardmomentum,turntheengineoff.Regardlessofthetypeofboatyouareusing,thepropellercanstillspinwhentheboatisinneutral.Asaresult,whenaparticipantisinthewateranywhereneartheboattheengineshouldbeshutoff.

• Whenaparticipantisenteringthewaterfromtheboattheengineshouldbeturnedoffuntiltheskierhasenteredthewaterandswamasafedistancefromtheboatandpropeller.


“Landing”aParticipant

A. Havetheobservergivetheparticipantthe“headhome”signalandbegintheboat’sapproachintothedock/landingarea.

B. Planyourreturnpathtothedock/landingarea,withconsiderationtothemovementofotherwatercraft,andalsoanypossibleswimmersinthewater.Donotapproachthedock/landingareaunlessyouarecertainyourpathissafeandclear.

C. Theboatshouldcomeparallelto,andatasafedistanceofatleast90feetor25mfromtheedgeofthedockandanyotherobstaclesorhazards.

D. Astheboatapproachesandpassesthedock,thedriverbeginstopullbackonthethrottle,andslowstheboatandparticipant.Thiswilltakeawaytheparticipant’smomentum,preventingtheparticipantfromattemptingtocutintothedockandpotentiallyhurtthemselvesorothers.Timethedecelerationsothattheparticipantcanletgoandgentlysinksintothewaternearthedock.Iftheparticipantmakesasuddencuttothedock,thedrivercanquicklyslowtheboattotrytopreventtheparticipantfromacollisionwiththedock.

E. Thedrivershouldwatchtheparticipantswimintothedockandgetoutofthewater.F. Theobservershouldbringintherope.G. Oncetheropehasbeenretrievedandtheparticipantissafelyonthedock,returnslowlyto

thedock.

90 ft.

A

B

F G


BeginnerLoopThebeginnerloopshouldbeusedwheneverpossibleforallbeginnertowedwatersports.Theadvantageofthebeginnerisloopisconsistency.Theturnshappenverygraduallyandthusdonotthrowofftheskierinanyway.Inaddition,thewidepatternallowstheboat’swaketodissipateandspreadout,makingiteasierfortheathletetocross.Ex:

BarbellPatternThebarbellpatternisformoreadvancedskiersandriders.Thisshouldonlybeusedaftertheparticipantisverycomfortable.Theadvantageofthispatternislongstraightpasses,andonlybriefinterferencefromtheboat’swake.Ex:


DockingDuetovaryingweatherconditions,dockingyourboatwillbedifferenteverytime.Sobeforeperformingyourdockingprocedures,takeintoaccountthewindandwaterconditions.

A. Approachthedockslowlyata45degreeangle.B. Docktheboatonthedrivers’side(starboard).C. Aimatthecentreofwhereyouwishtodock.D. Turntoport(left)whenyouareabout1½boatlengths(25feet)away.E. Sliptheboatintogear(nothrottle)toswingthesternaroundalmostparallelwiththedock.F. Asitstartstorotate,slipitintoreversetostoptheforwardmotion.G. Astheforwardmotionisstopped,bringthethrottletoneutral.H. Allowtheboattodrivetowardthedock.I. Iftheboathasasterndriveoroutdrive,youcanusethesteeringtoadjustthepullofthe

propintothedock.J. Thepropellerisallyouhaveforbrakes–don’tshutyourengineoffuntilyouhavestopped.

30°

A-B

C -J


Section 3: Appendixes


Section3A:SafetyGeneralSafetyTheboatdriverisresponsibleforensuringthat:

• Anyadditionalweightaddedtothetowboat(includingitsoccupants)doesnotexceedthelimitsspecifiedonthetowboat’smaximumoccupancyplate

• Towingattachments(fixedtothehullofthevessel)otherthanthosesuppliedasstandardequipmentorapprovedbythetowboatmanufacturershouldnotbeused.(Note:Currently,severalboatmanufacturersincludeextendedpylonsorboomsasstandardequipment.)


• Thetowboathasonboard,enoughCanadianCoastGuard-approvedTypeIIIPFDorCanadianCoastGuardapprovedtypeVPFD’sforalloccupantsofthetowboat(driver,observers,andjudges)plusoneadditionalapprovedPFDfortheathlete.

• Surroundingstowatchfor:• Swimmers• Otherboats(don’teverassumethattheotherdriverisawareofyou)• Anyotherkindofwatercraft,suchaspaddleboats,PWC’s,sailboats,windsurfersandcanoes• Offshorebuoysindicatingshallowwater,navigationalbuoys,swimmingrafts,etc.• Nailsorotherobjectsthatcouldcausedamagewhiledockingtheboatorwhiletheskieris

enteringorexitingthewater.Whileyouarepullingaskier,youalsoneedtobeawareoftheirperformanceatalltimes.Astheboatdriveryougreatlyinfluencethesuccessoftheskier.Theskierelementsthattheboatdriverisresponsibleforare:

• Goingovertheproperskiersignalsforgoodon-watercommunication• Idlingoutandtakingupslackintheropewhileensuringthattheskierisnotpulledoff

balancewhilepreparingtostart• Properaccelerationtopulltheskieroutofthewater,takingintoaccounttheweightand

skilloftheskier• Maintainingproperskierspeedfortheskilllevelandweightoftheskier,especially

throughouttheturn• Turningpatternbestsuitedtotheskillleveloftheskier.• Properdecelerationoftheboattosinktheskieratthedock,topreventtheskierfrom

unsafelycuttingtowardsthedock• Watchingtheskieratalltimeswheninthewaterafterafallorswimmingbacktothedock.

CrewOrientationTheObserver:Bylaw,aboattowingaskiermusthavea‘safetyobserver’who:

• Isofamatureagetohandleresponsibilitiesofbeinganobserver• Canswimandisreadytoenterthewaterifnecessary• Isawareoftheproperskiersignalsandkeepsthedriverinformed• Keepsthedriverinformedofskier’sprogressandanyfalls• Speaksclearlyandloudlyinordernottobemisunderstoodbythedriver.Arear-view

mirrorcanbeusedforadditionalassistancebutinnowayreplacesaspotter.TheOtherOccupants:

• Theboatdriverisultimatelyresponsibleforthesafetyofhis/hercrewwhiletheboatisinoperation.Thecrewmustlistentothedriveratalltimesandfollowtheinstructionsasnecessary.

EmergencyActionPlanAnEmergencyActionPlan(EAP)isaplandesignedtoassistinrespondingtoemergencysituations.Theideabehindhavingsuchaplanpreparedinadvanceisthatitwillhelpyourespondinaresponsibleandclear-headedwayifanemergencyoccurs.AnEAPshouldbepreparedforanyarea


inwhichyouplanonboatingin.AnEAPcanbesimpleorelaboratebutshouldcoverthefollowingitems:

• Designateinadvancewhoisinchargeintheeventofanemergency(thismayverywellbeyou).

• Haveacellphonewithyouandmakesurethebatteryisfullycharged.Ifthisisnotpossible,findoutexactlywhereatelephonethatyoucanuseislocated.Havesparechangeintheeventyouneedtouseapayphone.

• Haveemergencytelephonenumberswithyou(fire,police,ambulance)aswellascontactnumbers(parents/guardians,nextofkin,familydoctor)fortheparticipants.

• PreparedirectionstoprovideEmergencyMedicalServices(EMS)toenablethemtoreachthesiteasrapidlyaspossible.Youmaywanttoincludeinformationsuchastheclosestmajorintersection,one-waystreets,ormajorlandmarks.

• Haveafirstaidkitaccessibleandproperlystockedatalltimes(alldriversarestronglyencouragedtopursuefirstaidtraining).

• Designateinadvancea“callperson”(thepersonwhomakescontactwithmedicalauthoritiesandotherwiseassiststhepersonincharge).Besurethatyourcallpersoncangiveemergencyvehiclespreciseinstructionstoreachyourfacilityorsite.Whenaninjuryoccurs,anEAPshouldbeactivatedimmediatelyiftheinjuredperson:

o Isnotbreathingo Doesnothaveapulseo Isbleedingprofuselyo Hasimpairedconsciousnesso Hasinjuredtheback,neckorheado Hasavisiblemajortraumatoalimb

PublicLakeEtiquetteManyofourwaterskimembershaveprivateskisitesorprivateskiclubsandneverhavetoexperiencesharingtheirwaterspacewithothermembersoftheircommunity.However,forthemostpart,ourskicommunitywasborn,andstillski,onthepublicwaterwaysthroughoutthecountry.Herearesomerecommendationstoensureeveryoneonthewaterhasanenjoyableday:

• Alwaystrytoskiorrideinalineorsetupaslalomcourseorobstaclesinanareaofthelakewheretherearenohousesandaslittleboattrafficaspossible.Keepinmind,lowboattrafficwillgenerallymeanflatwater!

• Makeyourneighboursawarethatyouareputtingaslalomcourseorobstaclesinthelakeandbesuretoacquireallthenecessarypermitsbeforeinstallation.

• OffertoshowanyneighboursonthelakehowtheslalomcourseobstaclesareusedordirectthemtoWSWC’swebsite.Offerforanyofyourneighbourstousetheslalomcourse,eventhepersonalwatercraft(PWC)riders.Onlyskilledridersshouldbeusingobstacles.

• Showrespectforpeoplefishing.Ifsomeoneisfishingintheareawhenyouwanttouseit,idleawayslowlyandrespectfully.Iftimeandwaterconditionspermitcomebackwhentheyhavefinishedfishing.

• Beconsciousofyournoiselevelonthewater;soundcarriesacrosswaterandcanbemistakenforrecklessness.Thisincludesloudspeaking,loudengines,andloudmusic.Pleasealsobecautiousofmusiccontent.

TyingtheBoat


Tietheboatsecurely;NOTE:Nopassengersshouldexittheboatuntilthevesselhascometoacompletestopandthedriverhassaiditissafetoexittheboat.Itisalsoimportantnottoleavethevesselwithoutaropeoratleastbeholdingontotheboat.AsaSafetyprecautiononceyouhavetheboatsecurelyfastenedtoitsmoorings,pushtheboatawaytoensurethatalllinestightenandtheboatremainsproperlytiedsonodamagewilloccurtothevesseloritssurroundings.FirstAidKitRequirementsOnaverageabasicfirstaidkitcanbeorderedorcreatedforapproximately$25.Allitemsincludingbandagesshouldbenon-latex.ThefollowingshouldbecontainedinaBasicFirstAidkit:

• 4or5standardsizebandages(1”x3”)• 15ormoreassortedbandages(small,medium,large)• 1Triangularbandage,withsafetypins• Assortedknuckleand/orfingertipbandages• Minimum1rollof½”adhesivetape(preferablywaterproof)• Minimum33”sterilegauzepads• Minimum14”pressurebandage• Minimum1rollof2”gauze• Minimum3antiseptictowelettes• Minimum2pairofnon-latex(eithervinylornitrile)examininggloves• 1pairofscissors• 1pairoftweezers• Antisepticointment(oriodine)sachets• Minimumfive(5)ziplockbags(usedtodisposeofusedbandages,glovesortobeusedfor

ice)• CurrenteditionFirstAidManual

PleasureCraftSafetyEquipmentRequirementsPersonalWatercraft(PWC)

• CanadianCoastGuardApprovedLifeJacketorPFDforeachpersononboardaswellasskier(notemostskivestsarenotapprovedlifejackets)

• 15m(50ft)BuoyantheavingLine• PaddlesorAnchorwithminimum15mrope• BailingDeviceormanualbilgepumpwithsufficienthosetoreachoverthegunwale• WaterTightFlashlight• WhistleorManualAirHorn• Fireextinguisher-class5BCfireextinguisher

Note:IfoperatorandeveryoneonboardiswearinganapprovedlifejacketorPFDpaddle,anchor,bailer/manualpump,andfireextinguisherareNOTrequired.Notover6mPoweredPersonalProtectiveEquipment:OneGovernmentofCanada(DepartmentofTransport)approvedpersonalflotationdevice(PFD)oralifejacketforsmallvesselsofappropriatesizeforeachpersononboard.Onebuoyantheavinglineofnotlessthan15minlength


BoatSafetyEquipment:

• Onemanualpropellingdevice(paddleoroars)ORananchorwithnotlessthan15mofcable,ropeorchaininanycombination

• OneClass5BCfireextinguisher(ifthecraftisequippedwithaninboardengine,afixedfueltankofanysize,orafuelburningcooking,heatingorrefrigeratingappliance).

• Onebaileroronemanualwaterpumpfittedwithsufficienthosetoenableonepersonusingthepumptopumpwaterfromthebilgeofthevesseloverthesideofthevessel.(Abailerormanualwaterpumpisnotrequiredforanymulti-hullvesselthathassubdividedmultiple-sealedhullconstruction.)

• DistressEquipment:• Awatertightflashlightor3CanadianapprovedflaresoftypeA,BorC• NavigationEquipment:• Asoundsignalingdeviceorasoundsignalingapplianceaudibleatdistancesofone-halfa

marinemile(0.93km)• NavigationlightsthatmeettheapplicablestandardssetoutintheCollisionRegulationsif

thepleasurecraftisoperatedaftersunsetandbeforesunriseorinperiodsofrestrictedvisibility.

Vesselsover6mbutnotover9mPersonalProtectiveEquipment:

• OneGovernmentofCanada(DepartmentofTransport)approvedpersonalflotationdevice(PFD)oralifejacketforsmallvesselsofappropriatesizeforeachpersononboard

• Onebuoyantheavinglineofnotlessthan15minlengthoroneapprovedlifebuoyswithanoutsidediameterof610mmor762mmthatisattachedtoabuoyantlineofnotlessthan15minlength

• are-boardingdeviceifthefreeboardofthevesselisgreaterthan0.5mBoatSafetyEquipment:

• Onemanualpropellingdevice(paddleoroars)ORananchorwithnotlessthan15mofcable,ropeorchaininanycombination

• Onebailerormanualwaterpumpfittedwithoraccompaniedbysufficienthosetoenableapersonusingthepumptopumpwaterfromthebilgeofthevesseloverthensideofthevessel

• OneClass5BCfireextinguisher,ifthepleasurecraftisapowerdrivenvessel,plusanotherclass5BCfireextinguisherifthepleasurecraftisequippedwithafuelburningcooking,heatingorrefrigeratingappliance

DistressEquipment:

• awatertightflashlight• 6CanadianapprovedflaresofTypeA,BorC• Youareexemptfromcarryingpyrotechnicdistresssignalsif:• operatinginariver,canalorlakeinwhichitcanatnotimebemorethanonemilefrom

shoreOR• engagedinanofficialcompetitionorinfinalpreparationforanofficialcompetitionandhas

nosleepingarrangements.


• NavigationEquipment:• asoundsignalingdeviceorasoundsignalingappliance• navigationlightsthatmeettheapplicablestandardssetoutintheCollisionRegulationsif

thepleasurecraftisoperatedaftersunsetandbeforesunriseorinperiodsofrestrictedvisibility

Section3B:DrivingMaintainingandControllingSpeedEnsuretheboatisrunningatspeedthatiscomfortablefortheparticipant.Havetheobserverrelayandencouragehandsignalsfromtheparticipanttogofaster,slower,ortoconfirmthattheboatspeedisokay.WaterskiingAgoodindicatoroftheboatspeedistofindoutwherethewaterisbreakingonthewaterski.Ifitistoofarforward,theymaybegoingtooslow,resultinginexcessivedragandfatigue.Ifitistoofarback,theboatmaybegoingtoofast,andwillhaveproblemsedgingandcontrollingtheskis.Notethattheboatspeedwillbeaffectedbyseveralactions:TheboatwillbesloweddownbythepullontheropeastheparticipantcutsbackandforthWhentheboatturns,theadditionaldragontheboatwillcauseittoslow.Theboatwillalsospeedupagainastheboatexitstheturnandstraightensout.Compensatefortheabovebysmall,smoothadjustmentstothespeedwiththethrottle.Usethespeedometerandtachometertomeasureandjudgethespeedoftheboat.Forstrongerskiersthatexertmorepullontheboat,trytotimethethrottleadjustmentstotherhythmoftheskiingandthepullontherope.Donotover-reacttospeedchanges–itisbettertoundercorrectandallowtheboattospeedupandslowdownwiththerhythmoftheskier(inotherwords,lessisbetter).WakeboardingWakeboardinghappensatslowerspeeds.Theaveragespeedofbeginnerwakeboardingis10-15mph.Withabeginnerwakeboardertheboatshouldneverexceedaspeedof15mph.Onlywhenawakeboarderisreadytojumpoverbothwakesshouldaboatspeedgreaterthan15mphbeconsidered.Theremaybesomedifficultyinmaintainingtheboatatthisslowspeed.Thisisbecauseatthelowerspeed,theboatsitslowerinthewater,whichaffectsitshandlingandacceleration.Withpracticethiswillbecomeeasiertodrivefor.SiteInspectionAlltowedwateractivitiesshouldbecompletedasafedistanceawayfromshoreandawayfromshallowwater.Therearetwogoalswithrespecttotheminimumdistancefromshore:

• Agreaterdistanceprovidestheboatdriverwithmaximumflexibilitytoreacttosituations.Whenrunningtooclosetoshore,thedriverispreventedfrombeingabletoreacttotheshoresideinanemergencysituation(orriskrunningtheboatontoshore).

• Agreaterdistancewillensurethatiftheathletedoesfall,heorshedoesnotruntheriskofbeingcarriedontoshoreorintotheshallows.Rememberthatskiers,boardersandtubersareonatowropeandwilltravelsomedistanceawayfromtheboat.Forexample,askierusingastandard18m(60foot)skilineiscapableofpullingatleast15metresawayfromthecentrelineoftheboat.Iftheyletgoorfallwhilepullingawayfromthecentreline,they


cantravelseveralmoremetres.Itisthereforeveryimportantforthedrivertobeanappropriatedistancefromshore.

Someprovinceshaveadoptedspeedlimitsof10km/hwithin30m(98’5”)ofshoreonallwaterswithintheirboundaries.ThisspeedlimitappliesinOntario,Manitoba,Saskatchewan,AlbertaandtheinlandwatersofBritishColumbiaandNovaScotia.Thislimitisineffectwhetheritispostedornot.Exceptionsinclude:

• Recreationaltowingwheretheboatfollowsapathata90°angletotheshoreinanareadesignatedbybuoysforrecreationaltowing;

• Riverslessthan100m(328’)wide,aswellascanalsandbuoyedchannels;and• Waterswhereanotherspeedlimitissetinascheduletotheregulations.• Formoreinformation,seeCanadianSafeBoatingGuide.Also,considertheenvironment;

thismeans,beknowledgeableofnoisepollutionandyourvessel’swakeswhicherodetheshoreline.

MinimumWaterDepthAlthoughtheminimumcompetitivewaterdepthis1metre(3’),itisstronglysuggestedthatforrecreationalactivities,minimumwaterdepthusedfortowedwatersportsexceed2metres(6’).Thisdepthwillallowforsafepassageoftheboataswellassufficientdepthtoallowanathletetofallwithouthittingthebottomofthewaterway.Bewareofshallowareaswithinthewaterwaycausedbysandbars,rocks,andotherunderwaterobstacles.RightofWay

Port:Ifapower-drivenvesselapproacheswithinthissector,maintainwithcaution,yourcourseandspeed.Starboard:Ifanyvesselapproacheswithinthissector,keepoutofitsway.(Note:Thisrulemaynotalwaysapplyifoneorbothvesselsaresailboats.)Stern:Ifanyvesselapproachesthissector,maintainwithcaution,yourcourseandspeed.

RulesoftheRoadTherulesoftheroadinnavigationareoftensimilartotherulesonland.TheCollisionRegulationscontainmanyrulespertainingtonavigation;however,fourrulesarebasictonavigation.Aboatthatisovertakinganothermuststeerclearoftheovertakenvessel'spath.


Avesselapproachingfromtheportsidemustgiveway.(A)keepsclearofandmustavoidcrossingaheadof(B).

Whentwovesselsareheadingtowardeachother,eachmustrerouteandpasstotherightoftheother.(A)blowsoneblastandalterscoursetostarboard,(B)blowsoneblastandalterscoursetostarboard.


Asageneralrule,rowboats,sailingvesselsandcanoeshavetheright-of-wayoverpower-drivenboats.However,ifonevesselisunabletomaneuverasitnormallywould,themostmaneuverablevesselgivesway.

Responsibilityforavoidingcollisionsissharedbyeveryoneusingthewaterway.Commonsensemustbeusedalongwithalertnessandcaution.Theconceptoftakingearlyandsubstantialactionmustbeappliedinallcases.BeforeYouLeavetheDockChecklistThebestwaytoensureasuccessfulskirun,andavoidanyproblems,istobeprepared.Thisprocessbeginsbeforeyouleavethedock.Thefollowingisalistofsomeofthethingstoconsider:

• Checkthegaslevelintheboat.Runningoutofgasinthemiddleoftowingsomeoneonopenwaterisafrustratingexperienceforeveryone.


• Checkthattheboatisequippedwiththerequiredsafetyequipment.Ifasituationoccurs,thisequipmentcanmakethedifferenceinavoidingorlimitinginjury.

• AllparticipantsareencouragedtoweartheirPFDs.Ifanemergencyarises,thereisnotimetofindandputonaPFD.

• Ifyouareunfamiliarwiththelake,havesomeonepointoutanypotentialhazards.• Makesurethatyourboatcrewisawareoftheirrolesandresponsibilitiesasobservers,and

reviewtheHandSignalswithboththeboatcrewandthewaterskier• Beawareofwind,waves,andotherweatherconditionsthatwillaffecttheperformanceof

theparticipant.• Youshouldalsoconsidertheoperationofotherwatercraftinthearea,suchasotherskiand

wakeboardboats,personalwatercraft,kayaks,canoes,andsailboats,sailboardsandkiteboards.Eachofthesecraftshaveparticularabilitiesandpatternsofoperation,andallposedifferentriskstoyourparticipant.

CastingoffOnceyouaresurethattheboat,thecrew,andthewater-skierareready,youarereadytoheadout.Thefollowinglistssomeofthestepsinthecastingoffprocess:

• Theboatdrivershouldmonitortheloadingoftheboat,ofbothequipmentandpeople.• Staywithinthecapacityrestrictionsandcapabilitiesoftheboat.• Ensurethatallmovementinandoutoftheboatisdonesafely.Thiscanbefacilitatedby

makingsuretheboatisheldclosetothedockandasstationaryaspossible.• Planyourexitfromthedock.Makesurethatyourexitpathisclearandsafe.• Designatesomeonetomanagetheropelinesfromthedock.Onceeveryoneisinposition,

seatedintheboat,andreadytoleave,instructyourcrewtoreleasethelines.• Leaveslowlyandundercontrol.Observeanyshorelinespeedrestrictions.• Asyouleave,beawareofmovementnotonlyinfrontoftheboat,butalsotobothsides,and

behindtheboat.OtherWatercraftAnotherBoatFollowingDirectlyBehindTowedAthlete

• Don’tstopyourboat• Haveyourobserversignalathletetoski/boarddirectlybehindwake(i.e.reducechanceof

fall)• Ifpossible,changecourseawayfromfollowingboat• Ifpossible,haveyourobserversignalfollowingboattomovetoonesideoranother• Failingthis,haveyourobserversignalathletetocutawaytowardsnearestshore(away

fromfollowingboat)andstop.• Thedrivershouldturnimmediately(awayfromfollowingboat)andensureathleteis

protectedfrombeingrunover.


PersonalWatercraftJumpingTowBoatWakes• Don’tstopyourboat• Haveyourobserversignalathletetoski/boarddirectlybehindwake(i.e.reducechanceof

fall)• Ifpossible,changecourseawayfromfollowingpersonalwatercraft• HaveyourobserversignalfollowingPWCtomovetoonesideoranother(ifpossible)and

signalstopjumping(e.g.crossforearms)• Failingthis,haveyourobserversignalathletetocutawaytowardsnearestshore(away

fromfollowingboat)andstop.• Thedrivershouldturnimmediately(awayfromfollowingboat)andensureathleteis

protectedfrombeingrunover.CanoesorKayaksIfyouencountercanoesorkayakstryto:

• Findanotherlocationtodoyourtowedwatersportactivities• Trynottocomplete‘donuts’neartocanoesorkayaksasthewakepatternscreatedarealso

unpredictableanddifficulttohandle• Reduceyourwakesizebyslowingtoanidleuntilthecanoeistsand/orkayakershave

passed• Berespectfulandsharethewaterwayinasafeandcontrolledmanner

OtherTowedWaterSportEnthusiastsOurCanadianwaterwaysarehometomanytowedwaterenthusiasts.Encounteringothersonthesamestretchofwateriscommon.Thebestwayforalltoenjoyistofollowthesekeypoints:

• Singledirection(e.g.straightline)wherepossibletoreducebounceback/unpredictablewakes

• Share,don’tcompeteforthewater(takeyourturn,stopandwaitfortheotherstotaketheirturn)

• BesuretostopoutofthewayofotherboatersSection3C:EquipmentSafeRe-fuellingThefollowingguidelinesaresuggestedforthesafere-fuellingofanywatercraft:

• Tieuptheboatorpersonalwatercraftsecurely• Stopengine(s)andunloadpassengers• Donotsmokeandextinguishallopenflames• Fillanyportablefueltanksoutoftheboatandpreferablyonshore• Donotoperateanyelectricalswitches(potentialtocreateaspark)• Avoidfuelspillsby:• Keepthenozzleincontactwiththefillpipe• Don’toverfill• Turnnozzleupwhenreplacing(preventsdrips)• Putthecapbackon• Wipeupspilledfuelimmediately


• Operateblowerforatleast5minutespriortorestartingengine(s)• Checkforfuelsmell• Startupengine,thenreloadpassengers

Besuretohaveabsorbentmaterialsonhanditemssuchasragsandoilboomsintheadventcasethatfuelisspiltthatitcanbecontainedandhasaminimumimpactonthebodyofwater.CompetitionDrivingAdvanceddrivingskillsandcompetitiondrivingarebeyondthiscourse.Pleasecontactyourprovincialorganizationformoredetailsonadvanceddrivingcourses.PersonalFlotationDevices(PFDs)PFD:Personalfloatationdevice,willnotalwayskeepyourheadabovewater.Lifejacket:Designedtorollyouoverinordertokeepyourheadabovethewater.ItisrecommendedthatallathletesparticipatingintowedactivitiesshouldwearaCoastGuard-approvedTypeIIIPFDoraCoastguardapprovedtypeVPFD.Incertainsituations,attheathlete’sownpersonalrisk,theymaywearaNONCoastGuardapproveddevice,suchasaneoprene,nylon,orsimilarmaterial,coveredsuit.Anormalwetsuitordrysuitaloneisnotconsideredtoprovideadequateprotectionorfloatation.Inallcaseswheretheathlete/participantchoosesnottowearaCoastGuardapprovedTypeIIIPersonalFlotationDevice,theremustbeoneavailableforeachcrewmemberandoneavailablefortheskier.AttachingRopesTowropesshouldalwaysbesecurelyfastenedtotheboatandcheckedtwiceforsecurity.Giventheamountofstrainthatisexertedontherope,thepotentialforinjuryfromanunintendedreleaseoftheropecanbequiteserious.Abreakorreleasewilltypicallyhappensuddenly,andwithgreatforce.Attachingtheropeseemslikeasimpletask,butitiscrucialstepinsafelytowingaparticipant.Becauseattachingthetow-ropetotheboathappenssooftenduringasession,itcandonejustoutofhabit,withoutthecareandattentionitdeserves.Whenattachingtherope,hereareafewthingstoconsider:

• Alwaysusearoperatedforthetowedwatersport• Checkthatthepylon,tower,orskieyeissecure• Inspectallropesforwearandtearpriortouse• Beingcarefulofcrewatthebackoftheboatwheretheycaninterferewithropesand/orget

injuredifropeisreleasedorbreaks.• No-oneshouldbeseatedanywherethattheropecouldcontactthemifitreleases.• Anylooseropeshouldbesafelylocatedsothatitwillnotcatchorcontactanypassengersor

anyitemsintheboatiftheropeisreleasedfromtheboat• Passengersmustkeepawayfromthetowropeatalltime,especiallyhandsandfeet

Cuttingropes(drivingoverbyaccident)


Ifyoudriveoveraropebyaccident:• Immediatelystoptheengine(putinneutral,turnoff)• Nevertouchthepropellerorswimundertheboatunlessthekeyisremovedfromthe

ignition• Takeyourtimeandtrytounwindtherope• Cutifnecessary• Itisagoodideatokeepaknifeandgogglesintheboattoavoidthistakingallday


DifferenceinBoatsGeneralHandlingofaBoat:Everyboatperformsdifferently.Astheboatdriver,youareresponsibleforfamiliarizingyourselfwiththeparticulardrivingcharacteristicsofanyboatpriortotowingaskierofanyskilllevel.Knowinghowaboathandlesandoperatesbeforetowingaskierincreasesthesuccessrateandthequalityoftheexperiencefortheskier.DifferentTypesofBoatsInboardsAninboardboatisaboatinwhichtheengineisinsidethehulloftheboat.Withaninboardenginethepropellerunderneaththeboatisfixed.Inboardshaveaseparaterudderthatisresponsibleforsteering.Inboardstypicallycomeintwostyles:1.Directdrive(directinboard):engineincenterofboat,transmissionisfacingtowardsthesternoftheboatandthedriveshaftandpropellerareallinastraightline.Directdrivesarethedriveofchoiceforperformanceskiboatsbecausetheengineinthecentreoftheboatcreatesagoodbalancetokeepasmallwakeandtheenginehasthemostavailabletorquebecauseitrunsdirectlythroughthetransmission.

2.V-Drive(vectordrive):engineislocatedinthehullbutatthebackoftheboatfacinginreverse.Thetransmissionismountedattheforwardendandhasagearboxwithangledgearstore-directthepowertothepropatthestern.TheVdriveistheengineofchoiceforperformancewakeboardboats.Ithasthetorquebenefitsofadirectdrivehowevertheweightisinthesternoftheboatwhichhelpsthewake,aswellasprovidingamorecomfortableseatingarrangement.

Allinboardsregardlessofmakeortypetypicallybehaveinthesamemanner.Becausetherudderisseparatefromthedrivemechanism(propeller),steeringisdifferentthanatypicaloutdrive.Theyaresteeredbytherudderdirectingthethrustofthepropeller;thiscreatesimmediateandaccuratesteeringresponseinforwardgear.Keepinmindthatthereisverylimitedsteeringinneutral.The


reasonthatinboardboatsareusedforwaterskiingisthattheenginesproduceahugeamountoflowendtorque(pullingpower)andallowforconsistentspeed.Thisisveryimportantasacoachorinstructorisabletofocusonthestudentinsteadofkeepingtheboattravelingataconsistentspeed.Thehulldesignhasaveryflatfootprintontothewaterwhichallowsforcleanerwakes.Themaindifferenceisinreverse.Inboardswillpullonewayortheotherinreverse.Thisiscalledtorquesteerbecausetheboatissteeringduetothethrustofthepropeller.Becausetherudderisbehindthepropellerwhenthethrustisreversedtherudderisnoteffective.Inboardswillpullgraduallytothesidethattheytorquesteertothemostcommondirectionistothestarboard(driversside)howeversomeolderboats,witharighthandrotationprop,pulltotheport(passengersside).Itisimportanttoknowwhichsidetheboatpullstobeforedockingandclosequartersmaneuvering.Itisvaluabletopracticemaneuversoutinthemiddleofthelaketogetafeelforthesehandlingcharacteristics.WhenstartinganInboarditisimportanttoruntheblowerforaminimumof5minutespriortostartingtheignition.Becausetheengineiscontainedwithinthehullitdoesnotreceiveproperventilationandiftheengineweretosparkofbackfireitcouldresultinanexplosion.Itisalsoadvisedtoruntheblowerwhenoperatingbelowcruisingspeedstopreventcarbonmonoxidebuildupinsidethecockpitoftheboat.Manyfamiliesarenowmovingtowardinboardengineboatsasthepropellerislocatedunderneaththehulloftheboat.Thisallowsforalargeswimplatformtobelocatedatthebackoftheboat.Also,thepropellerlocationmakesitverysafe,assomeonewouldhavetoswimundertheboattogetnearthepropeller.OutboardsOutboardsareatypeboatinwhichtheengineislocatedoutsidethehullatthetransom(back)oftheboat.Steeringisaccomplishedbyturningtheentireengine(whichchangesthepropellersdirection)inrelationtotheboat.Becausethewholeengineisturnedsteeringiseffectiveregardlessofthespeedtheboatistraveling,includingtheabilitytosteerinneutral.Also,sincethewholeengineturnsthedriverhastheabilitytosteerinanydirectioninreverse.Outboardenginesareoftenmoredifficulttosteerbecauseyoumustmovetheentireengine,mostoutboardshavecablebasedsteeringwhichhasnopowerassistandwhiletheengineisatspeedcanbedifficulttomove.Alsomanydriversfinditverydifficulttoholdaconsistentspeed,especiallyunder25mph.Outboardsarethechoiceforbarefootingduetotheirhighpowertoweightratioitallowsthemtorunathigherspeedsbecauselargerenginescanbemountedonsmallerboats.Outboardshavetheabilitytobetrimmedupanddown.AbetterexplanationoftrimcanbefoundintheTrimsectionofthismanual.


Inboard/OutboardInboard/Outboards(I/O)hastheengineinsidethehullatthebackoftheboat,butthedriveandpropellerisoutsidethetransomatthereartheboat.I/Osbehavelikeoutboardssteeringandisaccomplishedbyturningthelowerdriveunit(whichchangesthepropellersdirection)inrelationtotheboat.Becausethedriveunitisturned,steeringiseffectiveregardlessofthespeedtheboatistraveling,includingtheabilitytosteerinneutral.Also,sincethewholeengineturnsthedriverhastheabilitytosteerinanydirectioninreverse.However,thedisadvantageofinboard/outboardenginesisthattheydonothavealotoflow-endtorqueorpullingpower.Thisisduetotheextragearsintheoutdriveoftheengine.Inaddition,manydriversfinditverydifficulttoholdaconsistentspeed,especiallyunder25mph.WhenstartinganInboard/Outboarditisimportanttoruntheblowerforaminimumof5minutespriortostartingtheignition.Becausetheengineiscontainedwithinthehullitdoesnotreceiveproperventilationandiftheengineweretosparkofbackfireitcouldresultinanexplosion.Itisalsoadvisedtoruntheblowerwhenoperatingbelowcruisingspeedstopreventcarbonmonoxidebuildupinsidethecockpitoftheboat.

Non-SkiBoatDrivingPersonalWatercraft(PWC)asTowBoatsApersonalwatercraft(PWC)isarecreationalwatercraftthattheridersitsorstandson,ratherthaninsideof,asinaboat.AJetBoatisaboatwitharegularenginewithawaterpumpthat"jets"thewateroutthesternatveryhighvelocity.PWCsandJetBoatshaveaninboardenginedrivingapumpjetthathasanimpellertocreatethrustforpropulsionandsteering.ThesewatervehiclesaresometimesreferredtoasSeaDoos,JetSkisandWaverunners.Pleasenotethatthesearemanufacture’sbrandnames.SincePersonalWatercraftandJetboatshaveajetdrivetheyperformverydifferentlythantraditionalboats.Thrustisaccomplishedbysuckingwaterinthroughtheintakegrateonthehullandshootingitoutthenozzleontheback.Jetdriveshavenotransmissionsandthereforethejetisalwaysengaged,thereisnotrueneutral.Neutralandreverseareaccomplishedbyblockingthejetnozzleandredirectingthethrust.Becausethesuctionpumpisrunningatalltimesyoumustbeawareofoverpassingobjectsatalltimebecauseitmaydrawtheobjectintothegrateandwrapitaroundtheshaft.Jetpropelledwatercraftsaresteeredsolelybydirectingthethrustfromthejetpumpwiththenozzle.Becausetheyhavenoruddersorsteeringfixtures,youmustapplythrottletosteer.Thisisa


potentiallydangeroussituationanddriversshouldpracticeemergencymaneuversonthelakeasafedistancefromshoreandanyotherboatstounderstandhowyourcraftmaneuvers.InordertomeetFederalregulations,anyPWCsbeingusedtotowathletesinanydisciplinemusthavebothadriverandanobserveronboardandmusthaveaseatavailableforeachpersontowed.ThisFederalrequirementobligeseventstouseatleast3-personPWCs. SpeedControlSystemsAsmarinetechnologyadvancesmoreandmoreboatsarebeginningtoofferspeedcontrolsystems.MostnewInboardBoatsnowofferitasstandardequipment,andI/OsandoutboardsandevenPWCsarenowbeginningtooffercruisesystems.Cruisecontrolsystemsaregreattoolsfordriversastheyallowyoutofocuslessonmaintainingaconsistentspeed,andmoreontheriderandtheboatsurroundings.Howeverspeedcontrolisonlyatoolandshouldnotbereliedonasprimaryformadriving.Adrivershouldalwayshaveonehandonthethrottlewhiledriving.Eachcruisecontrolsystemisdifferentinitscomponentsandfunctionalityandasaresponsibledriveryoushouldbefamiliarwiththemanualofthespecificcruisecontrolsystemanduseitwithoutaskiertobecomecomfortablewithhowitworks.TrimOutboardsandI/Oshavetheadvantageofpowertrimwhichallowstheenginetomoveupanddown.Bydoingthisyouchangetheheightofthenoseoftheboat.Thisthuschangeshowtheboatplanes,(whichallowstheangleofthepropthrusttobeadjustedtoraiseorlowerthebow),allowingittorunmoreefficientlyindifferentconditions.Powertrimisusefultohelpcleanupthewakeoftheboataswell.Whentowingaskieryoushouldbeginwiththetriminthedownpositionthisallowstheboattoplaneoutquicklybecauseitforcesthebowdown.Oncetheboatisonplanetheenginecanberaised(broughtup)slightly.Thiswilleliminatebowsteeringandallowtheboattotravelthroughthewatermoreefficiently.Thisalsochangesthewakeshapewhichcanbenefittowedwatersportsactivity. BalancingtheBoatNomatterwhatboattypeyouareusingitisimportanttheboatremainsbalanced.Theweightshouldbeequallydistributedporttostarboard(lefttoright)andbowtostern(fronttoback).Evenforwakeboarding,toomuchweightinthebackoftheboatwillmaketheboatdifficulttodrive.Toomuchweightinthefrontoftheboatwillcausethebowtoplowthroughthewater.Theweightporttostarboardshouldalsobeeven.Thiswilldirectlyinfluencethewakeshape.Ifthereistoomuchweightontheportsideoftheboat,thewakeontheportsidewillbedarkandclean;however,thestarboardsidewillbewhiteandwashy.Whentheweightintheboatiseven,bothsideswillbecleananddark.


BALANCED UNBALANCED


Section3D:ResourcesDrivingTestPattern


BoatDrivingSafetyCourseExamName:____________________________________Group___________Note:Noviceskierhasskiedafewtimes.Usebeginnerturn.Tellskiertostaybehindtheboat.

1) Handsignals ___/2

2) Safetyequipment ___/2

3) Driverinstructsskiertoremainbehindtheboatonapproachtolanding ___/2

4) Safedeparturefromdock,(360) ___/2

5) Ropetightensslowlypreparedtoreverse ___/2

6) Ropeperpendiculartoboat ___/2

7) 360Awareness ___/3

8) Gradualacceleration tooslow toofast ___/6

9) Controlledspeed tooslow toofast ___/4

FALL

10) AsksforOk ___/2

11) Safereturntoskier tooslow toofast ___/2

12) Keyholeturn,skierondriversside tooclosetoofar ___/6

13) Skiersuccessfullyretrievesrope (Y/N) ___/2

14) Ropeperpendiculartotransom ___/3

15) 360awareness ___/4

16) Acceleration tooslow toofast ___/4

17) Controlledspeedafteracceleration tooslow toofast ___/2

18) Turnsignal asks“havetheyseenit” ___/2

19) 360awareness ___/3

20) Controlledspeedafterturn ___/2

21) Landingsignal “havetheyseenit” ___/2

22) Landskierincorrectplaceundercontrol ___/3

23) Generalhandlingofboat ___/6

24) Generalcontrolofskier ___/6

25) Overallimpressionofdriving ___/16

26) Dockingofboat __/10


___/100

Section 4 - Boat Driving Safety Questions 1. Make a list of all the safety equipment that should be in a boat. 2. Compare your answer with others in your group and adjust your list if necessary and

compare your list to the equipment list provided Technical Manual#130. Are there any items that you need to add to your list?

3. Working with your group members, identify the most important duties of an observer.

What qualities do you look for when selecting an observer? 4. There are eight safety signals that every skier must know. Have each member of your

group identify and demonstrate a signal. Keep going until you have identified all eight, list them below.


5. In the space below, draw and label a key-hole pattern for picking up a skier who has

fallen. Compare and discuss your answer with others in your group. Now check the information in this manual and compare your diagram with the diagram. Adjust your drawing as needed.


SELF TEST— BOAT DRIVING SKILLS 1. What is the proper boat-driving pattern when towing a beginner skier on two skis? 2. What is the proper distance to sink a skier from the dock? 3. During what hours is water skiing legally permitted? 4. You are the boat driver. The skier you are towing cuts toward the dock.

a. What do you do?

b. What do you tell the skier after you are on the dock? 5. You are pulling a skier and a small sail boat appears to be heading into your boat path.

Who has the right of way? Why?


6. Which boat has the right of way, A or B?

7. Which boat has the right of way, A or B?

8. Draw and label, in detail, a complete driving/skiing pattern. Include all safety

equipment and docking.

A

B

A B


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