Safety

Tip of the month

July 2007

Hydration

As the summer heats up, most of us drink more water but, how much is enough?  Follow these links for some interesting information about water consumption:

How much water do you need?

Hyponatremia or water intoxication

June 2007

Sun

Safety is not only about the boats but how you take care of you body.  Summer is now here and it is a good time to be aware of the sun. Start out by taking the following quiz:  How good is your Sun Sense?

Then check out the Summer Sun Guide

May 2007

Knots

Anyone who plays and works around boats should know a few simple knots. I would recommend to bowline, square knot, half hitch, & how to properly use a cleat.  Here is a link to the site that will show you how.  It also has a section on rope care.

April 2007

Keeping the Point

Ranges are a type of channel marker that indicate the center of a channel.  They consists of two fixed aids to navigation when lined up properly will show that a vessel is within the channel. 

As rowers we can use the same principle used in ranges to keep the point. To do this, pick out two distinct landmarks, on the desired course, where one is directly above the other: for example a tree (the upper landmark) and a peak of the roof on a house (the lower landmark).

A tree in Hawaii (see you can use this anywhere)

When the boat is on course, the landmarks remained lined up.  When the boat is off course, say to starboard, the lower landmark, in this case the peak of the house, would be to the left of the tree.  To correct the course maneuver the boat to the port until the landmarks are lined up again.

Just remember this navigation principal follows a simple mathematical rule:

two points determine a line!

March 2007

Fog

Limited visibility can cause, at the very least, disorientation and at the worst a collision.   There are several things that can help to make a boat safer in the fog.

If you see fog setting in, orient the boat towards the beach (boathouse) or the nearest shore.  Next look at the direction of the waves and visually set an angle of the waves to the hull of the boat.  This angle substitutes for a compass bearing and helps give you a sense of direction.  Maintain the angle as you head to the shore.  This should get you close to your destination however you may end up downwind a bit as the wind will be pushing the boat.

The next thing you should do is SLOW DOWN and be prepared to stop quickly. This is not only common sense but is required by the US Navigation Rules (Rules of the Road).

You must remember fog not only limits visibility but it mutes sounds.  It is important to make some noise and also listen carefully.  It is common to hear another boat in the fog before you see them.

Although shells are not specifically mentioned in the Rules of the Road it would be prudent to use the same fog sound signals as a sailing vessel which is one prolonged blast of the whistle (a 4 -6 second blow) followed by two short blasts of the whistle (a 1 second blow). This shall be done every two minutes.  It should be noted that the proper sound signals for a power boat is one prolonged blast every two minutes.

If you don't have a whistle use the cox box or your voice to make some noise but be sure to also take the time to listen.

BE SAFE!

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