llamas

I recently took the boating test and passed the test. Here are some notes to help you out.

red light is on the port side (left)
green light is on the starboard side (right)
mandatory: all-round white light
draft is the part of the boat that is under water floating
sole is the floor of the cockpit or interior cabin. ( pretty much the deck)
bilge is the lowest part of the interior of the hull, under the sole.

Jet Skis

on a jet ski if you let of the power there is no steering.
no power no steering (all jet skis, some boats)
jet pump intake grate takes water in, compresses it then shoots it out.
advantages: you can run them in shallow water, can park on beaches easier, and has no exposed motors.
disadvantages: it could suck up your long hair, and can suck up skis and other things.
PWC (personal water craft) are subject to all of the same laws and requirements of any other boat.
the safety lanyard is a short cord attached to the ignition so if you fall off then the engine turns off.

Sail Boats

if it does not have a motor the other rules do not apply to it.
keels keeps you going straight and in line.
the rutter is what actually steers the boat
popular types of sailboats: catboat, cutter, ketch, sloop, yawl.

Boat Lengths

dictates if you will need additional safety equipment

Hull Shapes

Flat Bottom Hull
Deep Vee Hull
Round Bottom Hull
Multi-Hull

Factors Influencing Seaworthiness

Size
Design
Construction Materials

Types Of Engines

Outboards:
Inboards:
Stern Drives
Jet Drive:
Outboard Jet:

Boats are classified by their size, engine, and construction materials. (All Boats)
if you were 40 years old on April 28 in 1994 you are grandfathered in and don’t have to take the boaters safety test, but you must have a V on your license.

Capacity Plate will tell you how many people you can fit on your boat at maximum and also how much horse power.

Float Plan

tell someone where you are going, who with, what boat, where, when, when will you be back.

Vessel Safety Checks

don’t charge, they check to make sure you are safe and gives you a sticker to show you have everything

Trailering Your Boat

Make sure you have the right trailer appropriate for the boat that you are hauling.
The right tow vehicle
match the coupler to the ball
maintain the proper tongue weight
make sure you attach your safety chains.
make sure the safety chains are crossed

Make sure they are crossed so that it will catch it if the boat falls

On The Road

Traffic flow
turning and cornering wide
check rigging periodically
carry tools, jack, spare parts, and flares
observe the speed limits

Launching Your Boat

Prepare away from the ramp
transfer equipment and supplies
remove tie-downs
check drain plugs
back down ramp until lower unit is submerged
start engine and check idle OK
start engine and check boat floats
undo winch line
back boat off of the trailer

Fueling Safety

Fill Portable tanks on dock
close hatches and portholes
keep fuel nozzle in contact with deck plate
do NOT overfill tanks
ventilate tanks
check systems for leaks
use your nose

Maintain your Boat

examine interior and exterior out of the water
keep them covered but keep them ventilated.
do NOT anchor off the stern of the boat

Boating Accessories

anchor and lone
spare parts and tool kit
compass and charts
radio, VHF-FM marine
docking lines
first aid kit
water for emergencies
flashlights
spare bulbs
sunscreen

Review

avoid running out of gas by using the 1/3 method
vessel equipment is required by law
trailer winch cables and straps can snap be sure to stay out of direct line with a winch cable.
when launching a sailboat with the mast raised at a launch area be certain that no overhead electrical wires come into contact with it
always fill your extra fuels cans on a dock so that the fumes do not get into your boat.

general responsibility rule: you are responsible for any thing that happens in your boat, and the wake of your boat, or anything that the wake of your boat that your wake messes up.
Departure from rules may be necessary to avoid collision.
“he who is bigger, stay out of his way.”

Stand on or Give Way

if he is on the right then you give way just like at a four way stop sign.
if you see a boat of your starboard side then let them go
if sailboat has no motor on they are always stand on no matter what unless they have their motor on.
power driven vessels always give way to sailing vessels, vessels engages in fishing, vessels engaged in fishing, vessels restricted in ability to maneuver.

Power Driven Vessel

when you are in a narrow channel keep right!
if you are going upstream you are always the give way vessel. because it is harder to steer when you are in a strong upstream current.
no vessel at sea can assume right of way
a sail boat is a stand-on when meeting a power boat.
don’t shine your spot light at the bridge of another boat

Sound Signals

i short blast means i’m meeting you on my P O R T side
two shorts blast means i’m leaving you on my S T A R B O A R D side
channel 16 is the international signal and distress channel or use 13 in some other areas
yellow lights are on tows or tow boats itself
if you see a pair of green lights or red lights, don’t get between them or in front of them
let other boats know where you are especially in fog, rain, or any other dangerous conditions.
do a loud blast every two minutes to let them know you are here.
a fog blast is about 4 to 6 seconds long
5 or more short blast are the danger signal
stop what you are doing and look around to see whats happening.
if you loose a crew man 5 short blast and request help to find him if you need help
inland rules

signals indicate intent
require an answer of agreement
south of jetties are inland rules, north is international

international rules

Signals indicate execution
no response required unless danger

long blast in reduced visibility
3 short blast and one long blast means i’m leaving port

How to Prevent Problems

practice good seamanship
maintain lookout
maintain safe speed
SAFE SPEED
you are responsible for your speed

US Aids to Navigation (ATON)

Lateral Markers: marks the sides of a channel
if they are buoys they float
right side of the channel red color, red lights, even numbers, nun buoys
when you are returning from see keep the red on your right
left side of channel green colors, green lights, odd numbers, CAN buoys
buoys are usually deeper waters
telephone poles are the same as the buoys
RED RIGHT RETURNING
regulatory markers: information, danger, controlled, exclusion.
special purpose markers: anchorages, traffic separation schemes
data gathering
etc
special purpose markers do not tell you where you are
safe water markers have no numbers but maybe letters
in the intracoastal waterway keep the yellow pointy buoy on your right
keep the yellow squared buoy on your left
note yellow shapes: yellow means intracoastal waterway
a red over green buoy marks an intersection of channel

Legal Requirements of Boating

coast guards role: they will check you for life jackets that fit and for other safety things like that. (fire extinguishers, life jackets, etc)
they don’t have to have probable cause to enter you’re boat
what the states do: they’re the law enforcements on water but also can get you on land.
they do try to have probable cause but they don’t have to.
everybody on the boat needs to comply with safety regulations.
numbering decals: the numbers must be applied front to back and be able to read clearly
they must be 6 inches from the nose of the boat
either hyphen of space between the first two letters and numbers
registration certificate: must be on board when underway (must be the original)
if you buy it from another state you must take off the old numbers and put on the new ones that fit to whatever current state you are living.
boats are not titled in alabama
register your boat at the courthouse
documented vessels: u.s. citizens only may have a large vessel documented
documentation number must be clearly visible on the interior structure
name and hailing port 4’ high on hull
hull identification numbers came in, in 1972
you may be 14 years old to operate a boat by yourself with a certification and 12 with certification and a parent with certification
obviously it’s illegal to operate under the use of drugs and alcohol
contributes to 1/3 of boating accidents
it’s illegal to: anchor in a channel, tie up to an ATON, tamper with, deface, or move any ATON, or obstruct a pier, wharf, or boat ramp.
stay clear of naval vessels
be aware of security zones
no anchoring under bridges (overnight)
help with America’s Waterway Watch
personal flotation devices: children under the age of 8 MUST wear a life jacket when on the deck unless anchored up, if boats in motion, they MUST have on a life jacket.
type 1 offshore life jacket: minimum buoyancy 22 pounds
if you are on a tube, ski, jet ski, etc., YOU MUST wear a life jacket
type 2: near-shore vest minimum buoyancy 15.5 pounds
commercials vessels are required to provide type 1
type 3: flotation aid minimum buoyancy 15.5 pounds (most popular.)
type 3/5 inflatable PFD minimum buoyancy 22 pounds
type 5 MUST be worn for the certification to be in effect.
don’t wear a type 5 when tubing because it will inflate when touches water and it will probably rip apart if you’re tubing.
type 6: throwable device: what size vessel must carry these aboard?

llamas

Friday, May 17, 2013

hunter myers (continued)

Friday, May 10, 2013

banksy

Friday, May 3, 2013

sydney king

Thursday, April 25, 2013

boating notes

Thursday, April 18, 2013

volleyball (under hand passing)

Friday, April 12, 2013

cats

Thursday, April 4, 2013

music

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