Boating SafetyBoating SafetyAlabama’s Boating LawAlabama’s Boating Law

Boating TerminologyBoating TerminologyBoat OperationBoat Operation

TraileringTraileringPersonal Watercraft OperationPersonal Watercraft OperationBoating Hazards and ProblemsBoating Hazards and Problems

Alabama’s Boating LawAlabama’s Boating Law

• The Boating Safety Act of 1994 is known as The Boating Safety Act of 1994 is known as the Roberson-Archer Act.the Roberson-Archer Act.

• Certification is not required for non-motorized Certification is not required for non-motorized vehiclesvehicles

• You must be 14 years of age and passed an You must be 14 years of age and passed an approved safety courseapproved safety course

• Boating Rules-of-the-Road must be followedBoating Rules-of-the-Road must be followed• BUI laws are exactly like DUI laws. There is a BUI laws are exactly like DUI laws. There is a

Zero Tolerance policy for underage drinking.Zero Tolerance policy for underage drinking.

Boating TerminologyBoating Terminology• Abeam – Amidship, at a right angle to the keelAbeam – Amidship, at a right angle to the keel• Aft – the after section or rear of the vesselAft – the after section or rear of the vessel• Aground – touching bottomAground – touching bottom• Amidship – describing the midsection of the Amidship – describing the midsection of the

vesselvessel• Anchor – a forging or casting grip to hold a boat in Anchor – a forging or casting grip to hold a boat in

a desired locationa desired location• Astern – toward the sternAstern – toward the stern• Bearing – the direction in which an object is seenBearing – the direction in which an object is seen• Bilge – the lower internal part of the hullBilge – the lower internal part of the hull• Bow – the front of a boat’s hullBow – the front of a boat’s hull• Capacity Plate – gives the maximum weight an Capacity Plate – gives the maximum weight an

people capacity and the horsepower rating.people capacity and the horsepower rating.

Boating TerminologyBoating Terminology• Can Buoy – a can shaped buoy that is green in Can Buoy – a can shaped buoy that is green in

color, odd numbered, and marks the port side of color, odd numbered, and marks the port side of the channel from seawardthe channel from seaward

• Capsize – to turn overCapsize – to turn over• Carburetor Flame Backfire Arrestor – reduces Carburetor Flame Backfire Arrestor – reduces

change of fire on internal combustible engineschange of fire on internal combustible engines• Cardinal Points – the four main points on a Cardinal Points – the four main points on a

compasscompass• Chart – a map of a body of waterChart – a map of a body of water• Come about – to change courseCome about – to change course• Compass – the instrument that shows the heading Compass – the instrument that shows the heading

of a vesselof a vessel• Current – the horizontal movement of waterCurrent – the horizontal movement of water• Displacement Hull – type of hull that plows Displacement Hull – type of hull that plows

through the waterthrough the water

Boating TerminologyBoating Terminology• Draft – the depth of the vessel below the waterlineDraft – the depth of the vessel below the waterline• Fore – the forward part of the boatFore – the forward part of the boat• Forward – toward the bowForward – toward the bow• Freeboard – the vertical distance from the waterline to Freeboard – the vertical distance from the waterline to

the gunwalethe gunwale• Give-Way Vessel – the boat that must yield the right-of-Give-Way Vessel – the boat that must yield the right-of-

wayway• Gunwale – upper edge of a boat’s sideGunwale – upper edge of a boat’s side• Hypothermia – the body loses heat faster than it can Hypothermia – the body loses heat faster than it can

produce itproduce it• Keel – the permanently positioned backbone of the hullKeel – the permanently positioned backbone of the hull• Lee – The side opposite of the windLee – The side opposite of the wind• Leeward – side turned away from the windLeeward – side turned away from the wind• Lubber’s Line – a mark on the compass the marks the Lubber’s Line – a mark on the compass the marks the

direction of a boatdirection of a boat

Boating TerminologyBoating Terminology• Mooring – way in which a vessel permanently anchored Mooring – way in which a vessel permanently anchored

in one locationin one location• Motorboat – Any watercraft 65’ or less propelled by Motorboat – Any watercraft 65’ or less propelled by

machinerymachinery• Nun Buoy – a conical, red buoy bearing an even Nun Buoy – a conical, red buoy bearing an even

number and marking the starboard side of the channel number and marking the starboard side of the channel from seawardfrom seaward

• PFD – personal flotation devicePFD – personal flotation device• Planning Hull – type of hull that rides on top of the Planning Hull – type of hull that rides on top of the

waterwater• Port – the left side of the boat when you are facing the Port – the left side of the boat when you are facing the

bowbow• Privileged Vessel – vessel with the right of wayPrivileged Vessel – vessel with the right of way• Rules of the Road – nautical traffic rules for preventing Rules of the Road – nautical traffic rules for preventing

collisionscollisions• Scope – the length of the anchor rope (6 to 1)Scope – the length of the anchor rope (6 to 1)• Stand-On Vessel – the vessel with the right of wayStand-On Vessel – the vessel with the right of way

Boating TerminologyBoating Terminology

• Starboard – the right side of the boat when facing Starboard – the right side of the boat when facing the bowthe bow

• Stern – the back of the boatStern – the back of the boat• Tide – the vertical movement of waterTide – the vertical movement of water• Trim – arranging of items in a vessel to allow for Trim – arranging of items in a vessel to allow for

appropriate draftappropriate draft• Vessel – any watercraft that can be used for Vessel – any watercraft that can be used for

transportationtransportation• Wake – moving waves created by a vessel’s Wake – moving waves created by a vessel’s

movementmovement• Way – movement of a vessel through the waterWay – movement of a vessel through the water

Boat OperationBoat Operation

• There are basic rules for safe boating There are basic rules for safe boating operations. Some hazardous behaviors operations. Some hazardous behaviors include: * excessive speed in congested include: * excessive speed in congested areas or stormy conditions * mooring to a areas or stormy conditions * mooring to a buoy * BUI * operating around buoy * BUI * operating around swimmers or dams * not looking out swimmers or dams * not looking out properly for hazardous conditionsproperly for hazardous conditions

• Red-Right-Returning is an easy way to Red-Right-Returning is an easy way to remember the buoy navigational system. remember the buoy navigational system. When returning from sea the red buoys will When returning from sea the red buoys will be on the right side of the channel.be on the right side of the channel.

Boat OperationBoat Operation• The following are required when boating in The following are required when boating in

Alabama: 1. HIN number 2. Coast Guard approved Alabama: 1. HIN number 2. Coast Guard approved PFDs for every one aboard; they must fit and 8 PFDs for every one aboard; they must fit and 8 years and under must be properly wearing them 3. years and under must be properly wearing them 3. a throwable device 4. fire extinguisher 5. a throwable device 4. fire extinguisher 5. emergency cut-off switch 6. backfire flame arrestor emergency cut-off switch 6. backfire flame arrestor (inboard only) 7. sound warning 8. running lights (inboard only) 7. sound warning 8. running lights (white at the stern; green and red at the bow)(white at the stern; green and red at the bow)

• When boating you should make sure you have When boating you should make sure you have everything you need, always hand equipment into everything you need, always hand equipment into the boat, step into the center of the boat, distribute the boat, step into the center of the boat, distribute weight evenly, file a float plan, and check your fuelweight evenly, file a float plan, and check your fuel

TraileringTrailering

• When trailering a boat make sure your When trailering a boat make sure your trailer can handle the weight of the boattrailer can handle the weight of the boat

• Trailers are required to have taillights, Trailers are required to have taillights, brake lights, and turn signalsbrake lights, and turn signals

• Trailers must be licensed and registeredTrailers must be licensed and registered• The length and width of the boat should The length and width of the boat should

determine the length and width of the determine the length and width of the trailertrailer

Personal Watercraft Personal Watercraft OperationOperation• PWC’s have an inboard engine and a jet drive PWC’s have an inboard engine and a jet drive

system that makes them safe to fall off and system that makes them safe to fall off and reboard.reboard.

• They are required to carry the same equipment They are required to carry the same equipment as any other vesselas any other vessel

• The operator must wear their PFDThe operator must wear their PFD• PWC’s must follow the rules of operation of PWC’s must follow the rules of operation of

vessel’s and are subject to regulation by the vessel’s and are subject to regulation by the Marine PoliceMarine Police

• The operator is responsible for any damage The operator is responsible for any damage caused by their PWC.caused by their PWC.

Boating Hazards and Boating Hazards and ProblemsProblems• Most boating fatalities result from capsizing when Most boating fatalities result from capsizing when

people do not have time to get their PFDs onpeople do not have time to get their PFDs on• Most accidents occur in the afternoon, on Most accidents occur in the afternoon, on

weekends during the summer, with good weather weekends during the summer, with good weather conditionsconditions

• If you capsize grab a PFD and stay with the boatIf you capsize grab a PFD and stay with the boat• If someone falls overboard throw them a flotation If someone falls overboard throw them a flotation

device, keep them in view, kill the motor when device, keep them in view, kill the motor when beside them, and help them over the sternbeside them, and help them over the stern

• If someone needs help while your ashore us If someone needs help while your ashore us Reach, Throw, Row, and Go.Reach, Throw, Row, and Go.

• You must report an accident to the Marine Police You must report an accident to the Marine Police if a person dies, a person disappears, a person is if a person dies, a person disappears, a person is incapacitated, or property damage more than $50incapacitated, or property damage more than $50