LESSON THREE LESSON THREE OPERATING YOUR OPERATING YOUR

BOAT SAFELYBOAT SAFELY

Key TopicsKey Topics

Casting off and dockingCasting off and docking

AnchoringAnchoring

River navigation, dams, River navigation, dams, locks and bridgeslocks and bridges

PWC operationPWC operation

Ignition safety switchesIgnition safety switches

Steering pull (“torque”)Steering pull (“torque”)

Casting OffCasting Off

If the wind or current is holding the vessel to the dock:If the wind or current is holding the vessel to the dock:

Cast off stern line. Move Cast off stern line. Move and secure bow line to and secure bow line to mid-vessel position on dock.mid-vessel position on dock.

Put vessel slowly into forward Put vessel slowly into forward gear and steer bow into dock.gear and steer bow into dock.

After stern swings away from After stern swings away from dock, cast off bow line and dock, cast off bow line and back away.back away. Click Start to begin animation

Casting Off Casting Off (cont.)(cont.)

If the wind or current is pushing the vessel away from If the wind or current is pushing the vessel away from the dock:the dock:

Cast off all lines.Cast off all lines.

Push vessel away from Push vessel away from dock. dock.

Shift to forward and Shift to forward and slowly leave area.slowly leave area.

Click Start to begin animation

DockingDocking

Docking basics:Docking basics:

Approach into wind if possible and move slowly.Approach into wind if possible and move slowly.

Bring vessel to stop by using reverse gear.Bring vessel to stop by using reverse gear.

Never try to stop with your arms or legs.Never try to stop with your arms or legs.

Docking Docking (cont.)(cont.)

If there is no wind or current:If there is no wind or current:

Approach dock at a Approach dock at a narrow angle. (10° to 20°)narrow angle. (10° to 20°)

When close enough, When close enough, secure bow line.secure bow line.

Swing stern in, secure it, Swing stern in, secure it, then shut off engine.then shut off engine.

Click Start to begin animation

Docking Docking (cont.)(cont.)

If the wind or current is pushing you toward the dock:If the wind or current is pushing you toward the dock:

Approach parallel to Approach parallel to dock.dock.

Allow wind or current Allow wind or current to push you to dock.to push you to dock.

Secure bow and stern Secure bow and stern lines.lines.

Click Start to begin animation

Docking Docking (cont.)(cont.)

If wind or current is pushing you away from dock:If wind or current is pushing you away from dock:

Point bow toward dock at Point bow toward dock at 40° to 50° angle; approach 40° to 50° angle; approach dock and secure bow line.dock and secure bow line.

Use reverse to swing in Use reverse to swing in stern.stern.

Secure stern line.Secure stern line.

Click Start to begin animation

DockingDocking (cont.)(cont.)

If you must approach with the wind or current:If you must approach with the wind or current:

Move as slowly as possible while still retaining control.Move as slowly as possible while still retaining control.

Be ready to use reverse to stop and maintain your Be ready to use reverse to stop and maintain your position.position.

Secure stern line first and then bow line.Secure stern line first and then bow line.

AnchoringAnchoring

Fluke style anchor Fluke style anchor (Danforth(Danforth®®))

Mushroom anchorMushroom anchor

Plow style anchorPlow style anchor

Anchoring Anchoring (cont.)(cont.)

Follow these guidelines when anchoring your vessel:Follow these guidelines when anchoring your vessel:

Attach 7-8 feet of galvanized chain to anchor to help Attach 7-8 feet of galvanized chain to anchor to help prevent abrasion of anchor line from sand or rock on prevent abrasion of anchor line from sand or rock on bottom.bottom.

Select area of little or no current, protected from weather.Select area of little or no current, protected from weather.

Lower anchor over the bow to bottom, then slowly back Lower anchor over the bow to bottom, then slowly back away downwind or down current.away downwind or down current.

NeverNever anchor from stern as this can make vessel unstable. anchor from stern as this can make vessel unstable.

Anchoring Anchoring (cont.)(cont.)

Let out 7-10 times as much line as depth of the water. Let out 7-10 times as much line as depth of the water.

Tie off line around a bow cleat, and pull on anchor to Tie off line around a bow cleat, and pull on anchor to make sure it is secure.make sure it is secure.

Anchoring Anchoring (cont.)(cont.)

Guidelines for retrieving anchor:Guidelines for retrieving anchor:

Always retrieve anchor into vessel before leaving area.Always retrieve anchor into vessel before leaving area.

Move vessel over anchor.Move vessel over anchor.

When anchor breaks loose, stop vessel and retrieve it.When anchor breaks loose, stop vessel and retrieve it.

NeverNever drag the anchor behind vessel. drag the anchor behind vessel.