US POWERBOATING/US SAILING Safe Powerboat Handling RI State-Specific Lesson Plans

Transcription

1 78 Lesson: 24 OTHER BOATING ACTIVITIES (INCLUDING RHODE ISLAND REGULATIONS) Time: 10 minutes Equipment: Whiteboard with dry erase markers Student References: Start Powerboating Right! RI State-Specific Course Supplement (RIS) Instructor References: Start Powerboating Right! RI State-Specific Course Supplement (RIS) Powerboat Instructor Manual OBJECTIVES: 1. Be familiar with the basic operation of a Personal Watercraft and related Rhode Island regulations. 2. Be aware of other water activities, such as waterskiing, skin diving, paddlesports (canoeing, kayaking), and related Rhode Island regulations. ACTIVITY Personal Watercraft (PWC) 1. General information A Personal Watercraft is a boat powered by a gasoline engine located inside an engine compartment, which drives a water jet pump (jet drive) to propel the PWC. Pump cannot be disengaged while the engine is running. Driver sits, stands or kneels on the PWC. Known by their brand names, such as Jet Ski, Sea-doo, Wave Runner. PWCs are subject to same laws that apply to boats. o There are additional regulations and requirements specific for PWCs that vary with each state PWC accidents often result from a loss of steering control with throttle reduction, or reckless operation. METHOD

2 79 2. How a water jet works and steers Water enters through an intake in the bottom of the PWC, is pumped through the impeller of the water jet pump, and exits through a nozzle. The exit nozzle is movable and is used to steer the PWC. Turn the handlebar in the direction you want to turn. Many of these craft have no neutral while some have a deflector mounted behind the nozzle to deflect or reverse the exiting water which will stop or reverse the PWC. During deceleration from high to low speed (throttle reduction) the nozzle loses its effectiveness and the lost of steering control varies depending on whether the PWC has a device to reduce this loss. 3. Fueling When fueling, avoid gasoline spills in the water. After fueling and/or before starting the engine, open the engine compartment and let it ventilate for at least four minutes. 4. Starting a PWC Position PWC in an adequate depth of water to avoid ingesting sediment or vegetation into the water jet drive. Get on PWC; attach engine shutoff lanyard to your wrist or life jacket or clothing. Start the engine. 5. Falling off and re-boarding a PWC Most PWCs have an engine shutoff safety switch that will turn off the engine as soon as you fall off, provided you have attached the shutoff lanyard. Some older models don t have this feature and circle at idle speed until you swim over and grab the PWC. Re-board the PWC from behind. 6. Rhode Island regulations and special considerations All operators of PWCs, regardless of age, must have completed a state-approved boating safety education course and must carry the certificate. All PWCs must have a valid Certificate of Number. State equipment requirements include: o Each person on a PWC, or being towed, must wear a US Coast Guard approved Type I, II, III or V life jacket.

3 80 o Must carry a sound-producing device, such as a horn or whistle. o Must carry one B-1 Type fire extinguisher. o Altered mufflers or cutout devices are prohibited in RI. o Drivers must attach the engine shutoff lanyard to their wrist, or life jacket, or clothing (if applicable). State operation restrictions include: o Do not exceed the maximum number of passengers. o PWCs cannot be operated between the hours from one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise. o PWCs cannot be operated within 200 feet of swimmers, divers, the shoreline, and moored vessels, except at slowest steerage speed. o Maneuvers that endanger life, limb, or property are prohibited and include: weaving through congested vessel traffic, jumping the wake of another vessel unreasonably close, swerving at last moment to avoid a collision. 7. General operating consideration Always look around and behind before turning. Be considerate of other boats and people onshore. o Avoid operating in the same area for any length of time. o Avoid operating near fishermen. o Avoid operating early in the morning just after sunrise. Obey slow-no wake and speed limit restrictions. Avoid high-speed operation in shallow water, which can cause damage to the water jet pump and harmful environmental impact. Do not make sudden changes in direction near other boats. Waterskiing 1. Includes any activity in which a person is towed behind a boat. 2. Everyone being towed must wear a properly fitted USCG-approved life jacket 3. Waterskiing is not allowed between the hours from one hour after sunset to one hour before sunrise in Rhode Island. 4. An observer is required in Rhode Island in addition to the operator and must be at least 12 years of age and observe the person(s) being towed. 5. Total passengers in the boat and being towed may not exceed the

4 81 boat s rated capacity. Skin Diving 1. In Rhode Island motorboats must not operate within 50 feet of a diver s flag. 2. In Rhode Island if diving between sunset and sunrise, the diver s flag must be illuminated. Paddlesports 1. Canoeing, kayaking, rafting and rowing use watercraft that are propelled by paddles or oars. 2. The easily driven performance of these watercraft comes from their light weight and hull shape, but this also makes them susceptible to capsizing. Don t overload your craft. Distribute weight evenly, centered side to side and front to back, and keep it low. Standing up and shifting your weight to the side can cause capsizing. Position your weight over the centerline when getting in or out. 3. Safety considerations for paddlers Wear a properly fitted US Coast Guard-approved life jacket with an attached whistle. Know how to swim and paddle. Know how to self-rescue your craft if it capsizes. Paddle with a buddy. Don t paddle or row while under the influence of alcohol. Carry a bailer. Beware of rapids, low-head dams and other hazards. If you capsize, stay with your craft. Hunting & Fishing 1. Greatest number of fatalities results from capsizing and falling overboard. 2. If you hunt or fish you should wear a life jacket 3. Be aware of the risks of cold water immersion and hypothermia. 4. Prevention for hypothermia: dress appropriately in layers, wear a life jacket, fleece or wool hat, and dry suit or wet suit for cold water conditions.

5 82 5. Alcohol doesn t mix with boats or cold weather. 6. When fishing or hunting, you re a boater. Observe all boating safety rules and regulations. 7. Don t overload the boat beyond limits of Maximum Capacities label, and keep the boat evenly balanced. 8. Keep weights low. 9. Carry a VHF/DSC radio or cellular phone.

6 83 Lesson: 25 RHODE ISLAND STATE-SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS & CONTINUING EDUCATION Time: 30 Equipment: Whiteboard with dry erase markers Student References: RI State-Specific Course Supplement (RIS) Instructor References: RI State-Specific Course Supplement (RIS) OBJECTIVES: 1. Ensure students are familiar with important state-specific regulations affecting boat operation in the State of Rhode Island. ACTIVITY Boating Safety Education, Age & Certificate Requirements for Operating a Boat or PWC 1. Any person born on or after January 1, 1986 operating a vessel fitted with propulsion machinery of more than 10 horsepower must have successfully completed a state-approved boating education course. 2. Any person, regardless of age, operating a PWC must have successfully completed a state-approved boating safety education course. 3. The certificate of course completion must be carried and presented upon request of any authorized law enforcement officer. 4. New residents of the state will be given 60 days to comply with this requirement. Certificate of Title 1. Certificate of Title is required for all watercraft greater than 14 feet in length. Exemptions include: non-motorized inflatable vessel, surfboard, racing shell, rowing scull, or tender used for transportation between a vessel and the shore; a documented vessel; and a ship s lifeboat. Vessel Registration METHOD

7 84 1. All types of vessels must be registered with the state. Exceptions include: a vessel legally registered in another state as long as they are in Rhode Island waters 90 days or less; a vessel from another country that is temporarily in Rhode Island waters; rowboats less than 12 feet long, canoes, kayaks, or a ship s lifeboat; vessels used exclusively for racing. 2. Documented vessels used primarily in Rhode Island must be registered with the state and display current validation decals. 3. Outboard motors must be registered within 10 days after acquisition. 4. Department of Environmental Management assigns Certificates of Number, and handles registrations and validation decals. 5. Display of registration numbers and validation decals. Registration number must be displayed on each side of the bow and start with the state letters, e.g., RI. Current validation decal must be displayed to the right and in line with the registration number on each side of the bow. 6. Change in residence or ownership must notify the Department of Environmental Management within 15 days. State Equipment Requirements 1. State requirements for life jackets, fire extinguishers, backfire flame control, ventilation, navigation lights, sound producing devices, and visual distress signals are the same as the federal equipment requirements. 2. State life jacket requirement for children mandatory wearing of life jackets for children under the age of thirteen (13) 3. A wearable life jacket is required for each person on board a canoe or kayak. 4. Federal visual distress signals apply to vessels operating on the state s joint jurisdictional water (state and federal governments share responsibility) Engine Noise 1. Muffler cut-out systems are prohibited, except for motorboats competing in a regatta or boat race approved by the Department of Environmental Management, and for such motorboats while on approved trial-runs, and during a 48-hour period immediately preceding or following the regatta or race.

8 85 Speed Regulations 1. State limits in any harbor, inlet, pond or confined body of water: 45 mph from sunrise to sunset; 25 mph during darkness or restricted visibility. 2. Local laws may post more restrictive limits. Unsafe Practices or Prohibited Operations 1. Operating in a reckless manner so as to endanger the life, limb, or property of another. 2. Operating in restricted areas, and exclusionary or security zones. 3. Interfering with other vessels. 4. Docking without consent. Boating While Intoxicated or Under the Influence 1. No one may operate any vessel or use water skis, surfboard or similar device while in an intoxicated state or while ability is impaired by the use of alcohol or drugs. 2. State definition of intoxicated means under the influence of alcohol, a controlled substance, any drug other than alcohol or a controlled substance that impairs thought and action and causes loss of normal control as to endanger any person. 3. State definition of under the influence of alcohol: the blood alcohol content of 0.08% or more. 4. Penalties depend on the number of conviction within a 5-year period, blood alcohol content, and whether death or seriously bodily injury resulted. They include fines, performing public community restitution, imprisonment, and suspension to operate a vessel. State Pollution Requirements 1. Oil pollution it is illegal to discharge oil or hazardous substances into the waters. 2. Dumping of trash, garbage and plastics into the waters is prohibited. 3. Discharge of treated and untreated sewage is prohibited in Rhode Island waters, which include Narragansett Bay and territorial seas within 3 miles of shore. 4. All boats with permanently installed marine toilets are subject to the No-discharge compliance program that includes the display of a decal to verify that the boat is in compliance. Boats with a holding tank and no-through hull fitting for overboard discharge are issued a green

9 86 decal. Boats with a Type I, II or III marine sanitation device with a through-hull fitting that would allow overboard discharge are issued a yellow decal. Transient boats that are operated or moored in Rhode Island waters for less than 30 days are exempt from the inspection program. Accidents 1. Duty to stop and render assistance. 2. Accident reporting Operator or owner of a vessel involved in an accident, a casualty resulting in death or injury, vandalism, property damage or theft in excess of $2,000 must immediately report the incident to the Department of Environmental Management or nearby office of local or state police. Written report must be submitted within 5 days of the incident. Obstructing Navigation Aids 1. It is illegal to moor to any aid of navigation, or to move, remove, deface or destroy any aid to navigation. Law Enforcement 1. The boating laws are enforced by officers of the Department of Environmental Management s Environmental Police, harbormasters, and police officers. 2. They have the authority to stop and board any vessel subject to Rhode Island boating regulations, and to command boaters to move or stop. Refusal to stop is punishable by a fine and/or imprisonment. Continuing Education 1. To be a safe operator and continue to improve your skills and knowledge, you should take advantage of additional boating education opportunities and stay current with the latest federal and state regulations.