2013 New York Safe Boating Textbook - (Page 53)

BOAT OPERATIONS Navigable waters of the United States are those that allow a boat traveling them to go from one state to another, or to the high seas. For example, traveling on the New York State Barge Canal a boater can reach Ohio from Montauk without leaving the water. Federal law enforcement officers, usually the US Coast Guard, are responsible for enforcing federal law on waters classified as navigable waters of the United States. Local enforcement officers will cite an offender in violation of a state and/or local boating law. In most respects the federal boating laws and the state boating laws are similar. Marine Radio Procedures The FCC does not require operators of recreational boats less than 20 meters (65 ft.) in length to carry a radio or to have an individual license to operate VHF marine radios. However, if you are operating a VHF marine radio, you must follow the procedures and courtesies that are required of licensed operators specified in FCC Rules. You may use the name or registration number of your boat to identify your ship station (your boat). Termination of Voyage Law enforcement officers may terminate the voyage of any boat—including a rowboat or canoe—if they find an imminently hazardous condition aboard the boat. If continued operation of the boat will likely cause an accident or physical injury, an imminently hazardous condition exists. The officer will direct the operator of the boat to stop and proceed immediately to dock at the nearest available safe anchorage, dock or mooring. The imminently hazardous condition must be corrected before the boat may proceed. The following are examples of conditions that a law enforcement officer may consider imminently hazardous:  insufficient PFDs.  overloaded boat.  operating a boat while intoxicated.  fuel in the bilge. Radio Listening Watch Boats that voluntarily carry a radio must maintain a watch on Channel 16 whenever the radio is operating and not being used to communicate. Channel 16 is the frequency to use when you wish to call other boats or make a distress call. Distress Call Procedures If you run into mechanical trouble on your boat, or if you have a medical emergency, you can call for help on your VHF marine radio. Giving the universally recognized distress call will speed help to you. DISTRESS SAFETY AND CALLING– Use this channel to get the attention of another station (calling) or in emergencies (distress and safety). INTERSHIP SAFETY– Use this channel for ship-to-ship safety messages and for search and rescue messages and ships and aircraft of the US Coast Guard. US COAST GUARD LIAISON–Use this channel to talk to the US Coast Guard (but first make contact on Channel 16). 16 6 22A 9, 68, 69, 71, 78A, 79A, 80A 67, 72 for shipto-ship only 1A, 7A, 9, 10, 11, 18A, 19A, 63A, 79A, 80A 8, 67, 88A for ship-to-ship 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 84, 85, 86, 87 Wx-1 162.55 MHZ Wx-2 162.4 MHZ Wx-3 162.475 MHZ NONCOMMERCIAL– Working channels for voluntary boats. Messages must be about the needs of the ship. Typical uses include fishing reports, rendezvous, scheduling repairs and berthing information. Use Channel 72 for ship-to-ship messages between noncommercial vessels. COMMERCIAL– Working channels for working ships only. Messages must be about business or the needs of the ship. Use channels 8, 67, and 88A for ship-to-ship messages. PUBLIC CORRESPONDENCE (MARINE OPERATOR)–Use these channels to call the marine operator at a public coast station. By contacting a public coast station, you can make and receive calls from telephones on shore. Except for distress calls, public coast stations usually charge for this service. WEATHER– On these channels you may receive weather broadcasts of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. These channels are only for receiving. You cannot transmit on them. 53

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

https://www.nxtbookmedia.com