Boat Safety Info | SeeBoard - Archive

Nautical Terms 101

Posted by KristenM in Boater Safety - (0 Comments)

So ye want to learn some nautical terms ye scallywag? Oh wait, nautical terms, not pirate terms. If you’re the owner of a boat, you probably know most, if not all, of these terms. But even the people who enjoy sitting on the boat while you do all the work, should still know some common lingo. Always be familiar with all boat safety and terminology.

Aft – The back of the ship or boat. It is also another name for the stern.
Boom – The horizontal pole which extends from the bottom of the mast. You need to adjust the boom of a sailboat towards the wind so it is able to move.
Bow – The front of the ship.
Jibing – A maneuver in which you turn the stern of the boat through the wind so the wind changes from one side of the boat to the other. (The opposite of tacking.)
Leeward – The direction opposite to which the wind is blowing.
Port – The left side of the boat when you are facing the bow.
Rudder – Located beneath the boat and used to steer the ship.
Starboard – The right side of the boat when you are facing the bow.
Tacking – When you turn the bow of the ship through the wind so the wind changes from one side of the boat to the other. (The opposite of jibing.)
Windward – The direction the wind is currently blowing.

boat safety

Operation Dry Water

Posted by KristenM in Boater Safety - (0 Comments)

I know we all love to cruise out to the middle of the lake, munch on a few sandwiches, and have a few bottles of beer and relax. But boating under the influence, (BUI) is illegal and just as dangerous as driving while intoxicated. Operation Dry Water is an event created to educate boaters and promote good boat safety practices. This year’s event will take place June 24-26. The event is held every year the weekend before July 4 and is coordinated by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators.

Alcohol and drug use is the leading cause of fatal boating accidents. If you are caught boating under the influence, not only will your current voyage be stopped, your boat might be impounded and you may be arrested. You can also be fined and lose your boating and driving privileges. So what will happen during this event? You’re going to notice a lot more law enforcement out on the waters, as well as BUI checkpoints.

This post isn’t meant to warn you so you don’t drink that specific weekend. It’s here to always encourage smart decisions and practice boater safety. You don’t drink and drive, so don’t boat and drive.

boat safety, boater safety

Sign Up for a Boat Safety Course

Posted by KristenM in Boater Safety - (0 Comments)

If you’re new to the boating world, one thing you must do is immediately sign up for a boat safety course. Just browsing around online for helpful tips isn’t enough, but there are actual online courses too. Boat safety courses are available throughout the entire country, so it’s not hard to find one near you. Many qualified organizations even sponsor these courses, such as the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and the U.S. Power Squadron.

So what kind of things will I learn? You’ll learn everything there is to know, such as boat terminology (there is more to know than port and starboard), boating equipment, trip planning and preparation, emergency procedures, rules of the “road,” and much more. You can’t expect to just hop on a boat and take her for a spin. Your life, and anyone else’s on that boat, could be in danger if you don’t know what you’re doing.

Few people like taking classes and tests, but this isn’t high school. This is a course about something you enjoy doing. It’ll be a fun experience that will prepare you for the open seas. You can check out the U.S. Coast Guard website to find basic courses to take. Boat safety is always a smart decision.

boat safety, boat safety course

Watch Out for Hurricane Season 2011

Posted by KristenM in Boater Safety - (0 Comments)

Yes, we need to talk about this year’s hurricane season already. Although most people think hurricanes happen most towards the end of the summer and beginning of fall, hurricane season actually starts next month in June. But if you want to get more technical about it, the season begins May 15 for the Eastern Pacific and June 1 for the Atlantic. Both end November 30th. According to Colorado State University, the 2011 season will have an above average amount of hurricanes. It’s hard to imagine things could get worse after the past two years.

They are expecting at least 16 Atlantic storms, making it !75% above the average season. Keeping an eye on potential storms is absolutely necessary for boater safety. Now that it’s summer, we all want to be out on the water as much as possible, soaking up that glorious sun. But check out the marine forecast every day before you go out. You can also visit the National Hurricane Center to get detailed reports and track storms. Never put yourself or others at risk during inclement weather. It’s best to just stay on land.

Take extra care this season and learn what to do in the event of severe weather. We recommend taking a boat safety course so you’re always prepared.

boat safety course, boater safety

Practice Boater Safety and Make a Float Plan

Posted by KristenM in Boater Safety - (0 Comments)

Here at SeeBoards, we’re all about boater safety. That’s why today we’re going to talk about a float plan. What is a float plan? It’s a good idea, that’s what! But more specifically, a float plan let’s someone else know where you are boating to and how long you plan on being gone. In a float plan you should include a description of your boat, who is on board, a description of your boating safety equipment, where you are going, and when you plan to be there.

After filling it out, give it to a reliable and trustworthy friend or family member. Tell them to inform the Coast Guard if you do not return home by a certain time. Naturally you should inform your friend if your plans change or it takes longer than normal to get to your destination. You sure will feel embarrassed when the Coast Guard comes to your “rescue” and you didn’t need it. You don’t need a special form but you can find pre-made forms to fill out, such as this one from the official U.S. Coast Guard website.

Who should prepare one? Anyone going out on a boat, no matter how big or small the boat is. Whether you’re in a kayak or a luxury yacht, there is nothing wrong with being prepared and safe.

boater safety, boating safety equipment