Appendix A Boat Course Review When answering a question, when in doubt, pick answer that considers safety first. Navigation Aids Port hand lateral buoy Starboard hand lateral buoy (red right returning) Isolated danger buoy shoal or wreck Mooring buoy Starboard hand day beacon Port hand day beacon Information buoy Hazard buoy - beware of rocks and shoals Diving flag - diver below - stay clear Flag on accompanying diving vessel stay clear Control buoy Cautionary buoy Swimming buoy Control buoy - restriction - no motorized vessels Junction / Bifurcation Day Beacon channel divides marks and shows preferred channel 1
Cardinal buoy points to safe direction Cardinal buoy - top points - show safe direction north east south west black at top black at top & bottom black at bottom black at middle cone tips point to black colour position Terminology Stand-on vessel Give-way vessel Overtaking vessel pleasure craft draft wake maintain course and speed, be alert to give-way vessel actions early and substantial action to keep clear boat not for hire (not a paid trip), tour boats are NOT pleasure craft waterline to keel, minimum depth to float trail or track in water behind propelled vessel Safety Equipment complete pre-departure checklist to ensure required all equipment is onboard courtesy check by knowledgeable expert, Coast Guard Auxilliary, Canadian Power Squadron PFD or lifejacket one for each person onboard, appropriate size, will not support weight if too small person may slip out if too large, replace if ripped or in poor condition testing - chest deep water, bend knees, see if person floats with face above water approved by Transport Canada inflatable PFD - not valid for personal watercraft, persons under 16 or weight less than 80 lbs. (36.3 Kg.) lifejacket keeps person's face up even if unconscious Buoyant heaving line - to rescue person from water length for vessel under 24 metres - 15m or (49' 3") Reboarding Device only if vessel freeboard is 0.5 metres or more swim platform qualifies as a reboarding device 2
Boat's heading (or direction) magnetic compass Manual propelling device readily accessible and available (can t have right size for everyone) Bailer or bilge pump required only if capable of taking on water not required for sit on top kayak or pontoon boat must reach from bilge to side of boat, electric bilge pump is fastest Anchor select based on waterway bottom 5 to 1 up to 10 to 1 ratio, anchor line length to depth of water, in good weather length of anchor line depends on length of boat VHF radio is best other boaters can hear distress call and may be able to offer assistance Restricted Operator s Certificate (Maritime) required for ALL radio use channel 16 for distress calls, emergencies and general calling Radar reflector for non-metallic boats, mount as high as possible Distress flares store in accessible and dry location, use ONLY in emergency read the instructions before use valid for 4 years from date of manufacture number required depends on vessel length, type, and area of operation Power boat muffler within 5 nautical miles from shore Fire extinguisher class BC, shake upside down once a month to loosen powder locate in convenient and accessible location number and size required depends on boat length and presence of fuel burning appliances Marine charts Canadian Hydrographic Service up to date for latest buoys and depths charts and related documents must be kept onboard Distress signals flares, die markers, orange smoke, S-O-S... - - -... black square and circle on orange background Sound Signals Sound signals all vessels, require equipment to make a sound signal moving to starboard one short blast moving to port two short blasts reverse three short blasts do not understand five or more short blasts, potentially dangerous encounter 3
Navigation Lights Display from sunset to sunrise and in restricted visibility. Fishing boat lights all-round red over white (fishing lines), or green over white (trawler) in addition to port, starboard, and stern lights Tug boat red and green sidelights, two vertical white masthead, yellow sternlight over white sternlight Sailboat red and green sidelights, white sternlight Powerboat (and sailboat under power) or Vessel at anchor at night, power or sail red and green sidelights, white masthead and sternlight red and green sidelights, white all-round light white all-round light, no other lights Row boat, kayak, or canoe, minimum night light: white flashlight to avoid collision Port sidelight red (NON-FLASHING) Stern light white, rear facing Starboard sidelight green (NON-FLASHING) Masthead light white, forward facing Blue flashing law enforcement vessel, police, Coast Guard Auxilliary Laws, Regulations Compliance Notice maximum safe engine power and maximum load maximum load = persons, gear, equipment, supplies, fuel and motor assembly Loss of motor vehicle driver's licence alcohol impairment while operating boat Operate unseaworthy vessel Tie to navigation aid - never Criminal Code offense Criminal Code offense Enforce boating safety regulations and laws police officers 15 year old operation no more than 40 HP, no Personal Watercraft until 16 or over Proof of competency required for ANY motorized vessel carry PCOC onboard Licence or Registration required for 10 HP or greater, carry document onboard, 3 inch (7.5 cm) on both sides at bow for licence number purchase pre-owned (used) boat with 10HP or more transfer licence to new owner's name within 90 days 4
un-posted speed 10 km/h within 30 metres of shore Lookout to avoid collision - at all times, using all possible methods, sight, hearing, electronic Navigation rules Safe speed Vessel under sail enforced in all navigable waterways all vessels sailboat not assisted by engine Must rescue person in distress if not putting self or vessel in danger Sharing the Waterways Ferry or tow (tug boat) or fishing vessel keep well clear do not pass between tug and tow Narrow channel stay close to starboard side Small boats in shipping lanes stay together in groups for visibility stay clear of large vessels swimmers, rowboats, canoes, docks, shorelines slow down, stay clear, minimize wake, 10 km/h within 30 metres of shore Powerboats Sailboats power boat to starboard (right) is stand-on vessel (sees green sidelight at night) avoid sailboats, fishing vessels, very large vessels keep clear of ferries and towing vessels, don t pass between tug boat and tow sailboat on starboard tack is stand-on vessel (wind in mainsail from starboard side) down wind sailboat is stand-on vessel if both vessels on same tack avoid fishing vessels, very large vessels keep clear of ferries and towing vessels, don t pass between tug boat and tow Emergencies, Prevention and Response Instruction on use of safety equipment: on board at pre-departure briefing Check vessel condition: beginning of season and before every departure Passengers, supplies and load distribution: always - weight evenly distributed throughout and low Overloading results in vessel low in water - possible swamping by waves Marine charts - Canadian Hydrographic Service Tides and water flow (currents) - Canadian Tides and Currents Tables Weather reports - TV, radio, Environment Canada web site, VHF marine weather channel Fuel quantity 1/3 out, 1/3 return, 1/3 reserve 5
Major boating death factor not wearing PFD or lifejacket, prevent drowning by wearing at all times Major deadly accident contributor alcohol or drugs in over 40% sail plan on shore with trusted person close on return so no unnecessary search and rescue weather change dark clouds, strong wind seek CLOSEST shelter, dock or anchor Rapids - strong turbulent currents, rocks just below, can swamp or overturn vessel, injury or death Fuelling - passengers off, portable tanks on shore Before starting gas inboard engine - operate blower for 4 minutes Boat leak determine source, attempt to repair, bail, manual or bilge pump First step to take after collision, running aground (or any accident) account for all passengers determine if injuries and if the vessel is in danger. boat capsize, ground, swamp almost always climb on uppermost part of boat, signal for help Carbon Monoxide heat exhaustion cold water shock fuel burning sources, not electric bilge pump, headache, nausea, fatigue remove victim from source and seek medical attention headache, dizziness, muscle cramps sudden gasp, hyperventilation, increased heart rate hypothermia first symptom is shivering, followed by confusion, stiff rigid muscles. slurred speech eventually victim stops shivering, unconsciousness follows, possible ventricular fibrillation, death dry victim, dry clothing, no alcohol fall into cold water with PFD HELP position (Heat Escape Lessening Position) arms crossed, knees to chest 6