WHILE YOU ARE BOATING
Be especially careful if you have a small boat (a boat 20' or under). The overwhelming majority of capsizings occur on small boats because of sudden weight shifts.
Keep a good lookout. Failure to do so causes most collisions. You need a second person to act as lookout if towing a skier. The lookout should indicate a fallen skier by raising a brightly colored flag.
Travel at safe speeds. Give swimmers, skiers and divers a wide berth.
Don't ride on the bow or gunwales. Also, never ride on seat backs or in any other unsteady position.
Always use lights in fog, bad weather and at night. I fog or areas of reduces visibility, you must give a prolonged blast (4-6) seconds at least once every two minutes.
Know who has the right of way. In general large boats, tugs, barges an fishing vessels have the right way over other boats. Sailboats, rowboats, and canoes have the right of way over motorboats. Any boat being overtaken (passed) has the right of way.
Pay attention to markers. The expression "red right returning" has long been use as a reminder that the red buoys should be on the right, the starboard side of our boat, when proceeding from the open sea into the dock (upstream). Likewise, green buoys are left, to the port side, when going upstream. For more information on the nautical traffic signs in your area, contact local boating officials.
If you are in distress, or are observing another vessel i distress, transmit the international Distress Call on VHF channel 16, "MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY." State our vessel's name, where you are, what is wrong, kind of assistance needed, and your listening frequency and schedule. The Coast Guard also monitors CB and channel 9 whenever resources permit such monitoring. VHF channel 16 is constantly monitored.
Choose a safe spot to anchor - one that's well protected, has water of a suitable depth and a flat bottom. Never anchor from the stern.
Don't pollute the water with leaking oil or fuel, litter or toilet discharge. It's illegal to pollute.
If you are involved in an accident, you must provide your name, address, and vessel registration number to other involved parties, provide assistance to any injured person, and in case of death or disappearance, report the accident without delay to law enforcement officials.
