COMMANDER'S CORNER
Brought to you by Flotilla Commander Doug Lazo (retired past member)
September
#1
Learn to swim
Swim at least 100 yards
Tread water for 5 minutes
Never Swim Alone
October
#2
Choosing the correct life jacket
Untied States Coast Guard Approved
Make sure the life jacket fits well and is well maintained.
Type 1 Off Shoreline Life Vest
Type 2 Near Shoreline Buoyant Vest
Type 3 Flotation Aid (minimum buoyancy is 15 1/2 pounds)
Type 4 Throwable Device
Type 5 Special Use Device
1. Check the kind of boating you will do
2. Check the kind of activities you will do
3. Check the clothing you will wear.
November
#3
Carbon monoxide poisoning is preventable
Avoid swimming near or under the back desk of swim platform of boat
Stay away from boat exhaust vent and do not swim near boat vents
Never enter an enclosed area under boat swim platform where exhaust is vented
December
#4
Using a fire extinguisher (PASS)
P Pull pin
A Air at base of fire
S Squeeze handle
S Sweep top side using short bursts, one half second to 1 second per squeeze
January
#5
Sound signals are loud enough to be heard for 1/2 mile or more
Use an air horn (hand held or mounted )
Use an Electric horn
Use Use a whistle (vessels 40 feet or longer are required to carry a whistle and a bell to meet sound signal device standards.
February
#6
Water Skiing Safety Rules
1. Check to see at least three people present when water skiing to include the boat operator, the observer, and the skier
2. Check to see that you are skiing at legal times. Water skiing is not from sunset to sunrise.
3. Check to see that the water skiers know the correct hand signals.
4. Check to see the boat operator is at least 16 years old, if unsupervised.
5. Check to see that the observer is at least 12 years old.
6. Check that the ski area is not crowded.
March
#7
Stand up Paddle boarding
1. Wear a coast guard approved (life jacket must be worn by paddle boarders under the age of 13 years)
2. Carry a sound signaling device (a loud whistle)
3. Use a white navigation light such as a strong flashlight when paddle boarding between sunset and sunrise and during times of restricted visibility.
April
#8
Restrictions applying to personal water craft
Do not use unsafe or reckless practices.
Do not jump another vessel’s wake within 100 feet of the vessel creating the wake.
Do not operate at more than 5 miles per hour within 200 feet of a beach or within 100 feet of swimmers.
Do not operate so fast and close to another vessel that they cause the other operator to swerve at the last minute to avoid a collision.
Do not operate the personal water craft toward any person or vessel in the water, and turn sharply at close range in order to spray that vessel or person.
Do not alter the self-circling device in a personal water craft that is equipped with such a device.
Do not operate the personal water craft without properly attached lanyard that runs from the cutoff or kill switch to the operator’s body.
Do not operate the personal water craft between sunset and sunrise.
May
#9
Risk of collisions exists when:
An approaching vessel does not change its course or speed.
A change of approach is not substantial enough.
Approaching a very large vessel or tow at close range.
June
#10
Reckless or negligent operation of a boat examples:
Riding on the bow, gunwale or transon of a moving vessel when you are not protected by railings
Steering your vessel between another towing vessel and the skiers or freight it’s towing.
Boating while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Boating too close to swimmers.
Boating too fast in a crowded area, in thick fog or heavy storms.
Speeding in restricted areas, buzzing or wetting down others, or skiing when or where you are not allowed.
Teak surfing, body surfing or platform dragging behind a boat.
July
#11
Visual Distress signals (coastal waters only)
An orange flag printed with black square and ball signals day use only
A flashlight for night use only
A red handheld flare for day or night use
Red meteor flares for day or night use.
August
Be a courteous boater
#12
Be a courteous boater
Know the right of way rules and respect others right of way.
Limit noise
Lower your speed to reduce your wake around others
Do not spray other boats, water skiers or bathers with your wake
Keep a safe distance from docks, bathers, and fishing boat