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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