2013 New York Safe Boating Textbook - (Page 30)
FLOAT PLAN
1. Name of person making this plan
____________________________________________
Telephone number____________________________
2. Description of boat.
Type_________Color_________Trim_____________
Registration No.___________Length_____________
Name________Make_________Other Info._______
3. Engine type______________H.P.____________
No. of engines_________Fuel capacity__________
4. Survival equipment: (Check as appropriate)
___PFDs
___Flares
___Smoke Signals ___Flashlight
___Paddles
___Anchor
___Water
___Mirror
___Food
___Others
___Raft or Dinghy ___EPIRB
5. Radio ___yes ___no Type______Freqs.____
6. Automobile license Plate_________________
Type____________Trailor license_____________
Color____________and make of auto_________
Where parked_____________________________
7. Persons aboard__________________________
Name
Age
Address & Telephone No.
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
8. Do any of these persons aboard have a
medical problem?
___yes ___no If yes, what?____________________
9. Trip Expectations: Leave at________________
From____________Going to_________________
Expect to return by____________(Time) and not
later than_________________________________
10. Any other pertinent Info.__________________
11. If not returned by ______________(Time) call
the US COAST GUARD, or (Local authority)________
12. Telephone numbers ______________________
____________________________________________
30
Planning your trip…
Your time on the water will be much more enjoyable if you
spend some time planning before you launch. First, think
about your boat and how you want to spend your day. If
you plan to water ski, you’ll need a place that offers enough
space to ski safely without any hazards that might endanger
the skier. If you’re a sailor, you’ll need a waterway with
enough distance between opposite shores (reach) for you to
sail comfortably.
Once you’ve determined which waterway you’ll be cruising,
you need to get familiar with the local rules and hazards. So
how do you get that information? Other boaters who use
the waterway and the staff at the marina are great sources
of information. And you’ll find a lot of the information you
need on a nautical map, which is commonly called a chart.
Even if you are familiar with a waterway, it’s a good practice
to carry a chart of the waterway you’re using.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA)
have surveyed most larger bodies of water in the United
States. NOAA charts can tell you about the shoreline and
the depths. Areas of different water depth (contours) are
marked on these charts, as are dangers such as submerged
rocks, sunken boats, dams, overhead and underwater cables,
bridges and other hazards.
Smaller waterways also have hazards, but NOAA charts
aren’t always available for smaller bodies of water. However,
many have unofficial charts or navigation guides. Purchase
a guide to the waterway you will be boating on if one
is available. Many smaller canals, rivers and lakes have
organizations devoted to their proper use and preservation.
Many of these organizations have pamphlets or books about
the waterway, its navigation and points of interest along the
way.
Hazards
What hazards might you encounter on the water? Hazards
to boaters appear in many forms: dams, waves, submerged
objects, strong or swirling currents, cold water, and fastchanging
weather. These hazards aren’t always obvious.
Boaters need to recognize these dangers and be prepared to
avoid them at all times. Talking with people at the bait shop,
the launch ramp, or the marina will help you find out the
information that you won’t get on a chart. Information such
as how the current is running after a rainstorm, whether the
water level is unusually low because of drought, or areas
with unusual or strong currents, etc.
Water depth
On almost every waterway, water levels vary with the season
and the weather. A few inches difference in depth can make
the difference between “smooth sailing” and an abrupt end
to the boating day if you ground your boat and damage the
prop. Boaters must keep a sharp lookout for objects in the
water and learn how to recognize changing water depth and
http://www.nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/staff/chartspubs.html
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of 2013 New York Safe Boating Textbook
2013 New York Safe Boating Textbook
Contents
Introduction
Boats and Motors
Registration of Boats
Equipment
Fueling and Ventilation
Safe Loading and Powering
Preparation for Getting Underway
The Marine Environment
Rules of the Road
Boat Operations
Seamanship
Navigation
Personal Watercraft
Boating Related Activities
Accidents and Emergencies
Frequently Asked Questions
Chapter Review Questions Answers
2013 New York Safe Boating Textbook
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