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BOATING STUDY GUIDE WITH EFFICIENT EXPLANATION #28.
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BOATING STUDY GUIDE WITH EFFICIENT EXPLANATION #28.
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BOATING STUDY GUIDE WITH EFFICIENT EXPLANATION #28Special Activities Restrictions and Considerations - correct answer New yorkmany
states regulate certain other water-related activities such as waterskiing and diving. For
your safety, and for those who may be in the water, you should abide by these special
laws:Special Activities, Restrictions & Requirements:
All skiers, and those towed behind a vessel participating in another tow sport, must
wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved PFD.
Operators of boats towing water skiers or other tow sport participants must have a
competent person on board of at least 10 years of age to observe the progress of the
person/s being towed.
Waterskiing and other tow sport activities must take place only between the hours of
sunrise and sunset.
A red and white diver down flag must be displayed when divers are in the water and
when in federal waters, a blue and white alfa flag must be flown from a vessel that is
engaged in diving operations and is restricted in its ability to maneuver. It is illegal to
approach within 100 feet of a diving flag.
Divers should be aware that it is illegal to disturb any underwater archaeological site
and/or remove any artifacts without a state issued permit.
PWC Overview - correct answer Personal Water Craft (PWC) account for more than 1/3
of new boat sales annually. There are more than 1.5 MILLION pwcs in use today! Did
you know that a PWC is considered a boat? Many people don't, and think of them more
as toys that require no training or knowledge of how they work. To start, think of the
terms used for a boat - they will be the same for a PWC.Personal Water Craft (PWC)
are considered by the Coast Guard to be Class A inboard motor vessels and as such
must adhere to the same Coast Guard regulations and standards as any other
powerboats in this category; they must have a fire extinguisher on board, and an
appropriate sound signaling device such as a horn or athletic whistle (in most states).
They are also required to display how many people you can safely carry, which may be
found on a capacity decal on the craft and in the owners manual.pwcs may seat up to 4
people and are even capable of pulling a water skier, though there are many state
restrictions about operating times of day. Remember, your PWC operator's manual will
tell you the specifics of your boat, including tips on safe operation and which direction to
roll it if it turns over.They must be registered with the state, and must also obey the
Nautical Rules of the Road. Even though pwcs are considered to be boats, there are a
few differences that you need to know. Virtually no pwcs have running lights as all
manufacturers recommend that they only be used during daylight. In fact, most states
ban the use of pwcs at night.All states require that life jackets be worn at all times while
on a PWC regardless if you are an operator or passenger. Many states also regulate
the operation of pwcs by prohibiting them from specified lakes and boating areas, or by
time restrictions on their use. For example, most states restrict PWC operation to
daytime hours
PWC Jet Drives - correct answer pwcs are operated by inboard gasoline engines that
drive a jet water pump. Water is taken in through a water pick-up on the bottom of the
,PWC, drawn into an internal propeller (an impeller) that creates a jet of high pressure
water which exits through a nozzle on the back of the PWC.Boats have no brakes, and
neither do pwcs. On some models, there is a moveable "gate" that can be dropped over
the nozzle to provide reverse thrust. Be careful, though, this was not designed to stop a
PWC and jumping into reverse at high speeds may cause the bow to dive throwing the
operator over the handlebars! However, some newer models feature a modified reverse
bucket that has proven to be effective for slowing the craft significantly. Still, the PWC
glides with momentum and definitely does not stop on a dime - do not be fooled into
thinking these are actual "brakes."pwcs are built for quick, sharp turns, tight-radius
circling, and rapid acceleration. However, they are only truly maneuverable with the
throttle engaged - TO MAINTAIN STEERAGE, YOU MUST APPLY THROTTLE! The
best way to avoid hitting an object is NOT to slow down, rather, you should apply
throttle and steer away to avoid impact.
How They Work - correct answer pwcs are designed to be righted easily. Don't abandon
your vessel if you fall off and it overturns. Simply turn it back in the direction marked on
the decal at the rear of your craft or as indicated in the user's manual. Righting your
craft improperly may make it more difficult than necessary to re-board, and you could
cause internal damage to your PWC. To re-board your PWC, approach it from the rear,
pull yourself up into a kneeling position, take your seat, reattach your engine cut-off
lanyard, and start it up. Don't forget to re-attach that cut-off lanyard! This sounds easier
than it is - it is often quite difficult to re-board a PWC, especially in rough water or when
fatigued.Practice boarding your PWC in a calm, shallow area with your friends or family.
If you have difficulty getting back on a PWC from the water, you should avoid using your
PWC in areas where there is a strong current or high waves. There are also ladders
available to help you climb back on, definitely a worthwhile investment.When operating
a PWC, keep clear of shallow water (less than 2 feet deep), beds of sea grass or other
vegetation. Since a PWC sucks water in to power its water jet, it is best not to operate in
these waters. This will help keep dirt and debris from fouling the impeller, which could
lead to power loss or damage to your PWC.Nearly all pwcs have an automatic engine
cut-off lanyard. This lanyard must be attached to the operator's wrist or life jacket at all
times to stop the engine if the operator falls off. This will also prevent the PWC from
going far from a driver who has fallen off.
Operational Requirements - correct answer As Personal Water Craft are considered to
be type "A" motor craft, they must adhere to certain Coast Guard requirements as
follows:
A PWC must be equipped with a marine-rated Type-B fire extinguisher and emergency
signaling devices.
All pwcs must be registered according to state regulations, and have a registration
number displayed. Follow state guidelines for specific regulations.
You must adhere to the manufacturer's listed capacity limits for people and equipment.
Each PWC has an attached capacity decal that states what you may carry. Additional
information may be found in your operating manual.
Life Jackets must be worn by all riders and operators. Choose a properly fitting, Coast
Guard-approved life jacket and WEAR IT!
,You may be required to take a boating education course prior to operating your PWC.
Check your local laws.
Other gear to consider:
EYE PROTECTION - water spray can greatly affect your vision. Goggles or wrap
around glasses offer the best protection.
FOOT PROTECTION - Shoes or sandals will protect your feet and give you added
traction.
GLOVES - Gloves will allow you to keep a tight grip on wet controls.
WET SUITS - In colder water a wet suit will provide extra comfort by keeping you warm.
Pre-Ride Inspection - correct answer It is always a great idea to check your watercraft
prior to every outing. This will allow you to make sure that your watercraft is in top
operating condition. Some things to check are:
Battery: Ensure that your battery is fully charged, and all wires are properly connected,
tight, and not frayed.
Controls: Make sure steering controls, stop button, lanyard cut-off, and throttle are all
working properly.
Drain Plug: drain your bilge and be sure your plug is properly secured before launching.
Engine: Check fluid levels, hose connections, oil level/leaks, and make sure the engine
compartment cover is properly secured.
Fuel: Check for fuel leaks, and fill the tank. Plan on using 1/3 of your gas to get there,
1/3 to get back, and keep 1/3 as a reserve. Many pwcs are equipped with a fuel selector
or reserve switch to help you avoid running out of fuel. If you run out of fuel, switch the
tank setting to "reserve" and go to the dock. Don't forget to reset the switch once you've
filled up again!
Hull: Check the outside of your PWC for damage, check the jet pump cover and inlet for
damage/fit, and secure the seats.
Protection: A properly fitting life jacket, gloves, wetsuit, eye, foot gear, and a helmet will
help protect you from injury.
Safety Gear: Make sure you have the required safety equipment - a fire extinguisher,
signaling device(s) and all other legally required equipment. It's also a good idea to
have an anchor, handheld VHF radio or cell phone, extra line, drinking water, and
sunscreen.
Pwcs and the Environment - correct answer Fuel and Oil Pollution
Refuel on land to reduce any chances of spilling oil or gas into the water.
Slow down when filling the tank, don't over-fill, catch any accidental spills with an
absorbent pad, and dispose of it properly.
Check and clean your engine well away from shorelines. Oil can harm the water's
micro-organisms and the animals who eat them, potentially upsetting the entire food
chain.
Shallow Areas and Vegetation
In shallow waters, boats may stir up the bottom, affecting light penetration and oxygen
content. This can affect fish and birds. You should ride in main channels, and limit riding
in shallow water.
, When it is necessary to ride in shallow water, keep watercraft at an idle speed to both
protect the underwater environment and avoid sucking up weeds and sediment that can
damage you PWC.
In coastal areas be aware of low tide when waters may be more shallow revealing sea
grass beds and other vegetation. These areas are delicate nursery grounds where
many of the fish in our waters originate.
The least amount of disturbance is in the marked channels or the deeper areas of a lake
or river. Try to stay in main channels.
Wakesexcessive boat wakes may contribute to shoreline erosion, especially in narrow
streams and inlets. Erosion is a concern for all shorelines including rivers, lakes, and
oceans. The slow destruction of shorelines affects the habitats of plants and animals.
Near the shore avoid high speeds which create large wakes and observe posted no
wake zones.
Pwcs and Wildlife - correct answer Noise and birdsbe aware that the noise and
movements of boats may disturb bird populations. Steer clear of posted bird nesting
areas.Many migratory birds are easily stressed and especially vulnerable during their
migration period. Birds will typically fly away from disturbing noises and any
unnecessary expenditure of energy can harm a feeding or resting bird.Bird rookeries
are especially vulnerable to noise from boats, including personal watercraft. Nesting
birds may fly from the nest exposing unprotected eggs and hatchlings to the sun's heat
or predators.Wildlife harassmentdo not harass wildlife by chasing or interrupting
feeding, nesting, or resting. Harassment is defined as any action that may cause an
animal to deviate from its normal behavior. It is illegal and can unduly stress
wildlife.Mammals such as sea otters, sea lions, manatees and whales can be injured
from direct impact by boats traveling at high speeds. Ride at controlled speeds so you
can see any animals ahead of you. Avoid area of high animal population. If you hit an
animal report it to your local wildlife commission. There may be a chance to save its life.
Preventing Accidents - correct answer Be aware of what is around you. The leading
cause of PWC accidents is striking an object (usually another PWC). If you are
operating your PWC in a congested area, slow down and look at what the boats around
you are doing. To avoid being struck yourself, always look for other boats before making
sharp or sudden turns. Larger boats may not see you, and may not be able to get out of
your way in time to avoid contact. Keeping a proper lookout is key!As with any boat,
operate at a safe speed. It is very easy to get thrown from a PWC, especially if you hit
wakes or turn too quickly. Operating at a safe speed for the conditions will lower the risk
of an accident.If you lend your PWC to a friend, make sure they know the Rules of the
Road and how to operate your PWC. A large portion of PWC accidents occur with rental
pwcs or when people other than the owner are operating the vessel.
PWC Etiquette - correct answer With some common sense and common courtesy, both
PWC users and traditional boaters can coexist and enjoy their time on the water.
Following some simple operating procedures can help eliminate the majority of
complaints against pwcs.Noise is probably the number one complaint about PWC use.
The best way to avoid noise complaints is to follow the Rules of the Road and also to
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