2015 New York Safe Boating - 21

Debris can get stuck in the mechanism and keep the float
switch from operating properly, so check for debris frequently
and keep the area clean. Be aware that a bilge pump will
distribute spilled fuel into the water.

Fish finders display a representation of what is below the
boat, including the bottom, fish, vegetation and structures,
to help you locate fish and navigate safely. Unlike depth
sounders, which show you only a number to indicate the
depth of the water, fish finders show you a picture of the
bottom.

DON'T RELY ON A BILGE PUMP IF YOUR BOAT
HAS A LEAK!

GPS
Modern electronic positioning devices can be life-savers. If
you sail long distances or far from shore, consider installing
a GPS on your boat. Not only can these devices keep you
heading in the right direction, but also in the event you ever
need emergency assistance, the device will allow you to
direct	searchers	to	your	exact	location.

Extra Lines
Always	keep	extra	line	aboard.	You	never	know	when	you	
will need to be towed in, or when you may need to tow
someone	else.	Lines	are	inexpensive	and	they	don't	take	up	a	
lot of space. Don't let the lack of a line turn a small problem
into a serious emergency.

Compass
Even if you have an electronic navigation aid, keep a
compass on board and learn to use it. In an emergency,
your electronic devices may fail, and the compass may be
your only means of determining how to get back to shore.
It's difficult to read a hand-held compass on a boat, and
they can easily drop and break or go overboard, so consider
a model that you mount near the steering console. Mount
your compass away from iron, magnets or electrical wiring
and equipment. Get comfortable steering by your compass
in good weather before you have to rely on it in darkness
or in fog. Learning to sail with your compass, together
with	your	charts,	is	an	excellent	piloting	skill	to	develop	and	
enables you to have more fun on the water.

Boat Hook
Boat hooks are useful items. The main use of a boat hook is
to fend a boat off a dock or another boat. A boat hook can
make it easier to pass lines to a dock and you can use a boat
hook to retrieve something you drop overboard.

Oar/Paddle

Marine Radio-VHF

Carrying at least one oar or paddle is a good practice if you
operate a small motor boat. You can use the oar or paddle
to row to shore if you have engine trouble. It may not be
possible to propel a larger boat this way, so oars and paddles
are less practical for operators of larger boats.

A marine radio is a wise investment for the recreational
boater planning to venture any distance from shore or to
any area where there are not a lot of other boaters in the
immediate vicinity. Should you need to request help during
your voyage, your marine radio will allow you to broadcast
a mayday message to request assistance. Rescue units and
other boats listen in on marine radio frequencies, so your
chances of getting quick assistance are much better if you
have a marine radio.

Depth Sounder/Fish Finder
If you often operate in shallow inland waters, grounding
your boat and perhaps damaging it is a risk. In that case an
instrument to help you navigate shallows may be a good
investment.

Cell Phones

A depth sounder will display the water's depth on the
steering console, so you can avoid areas that are too shallow
for your boat. Depth sounders transmit a burst of energy
down to the bottom of the body of water, and measure the
time that the energy takes to return (the echo). The depth
sounder translates this information into water depth.

Many recreational boaters rely on cell phones as their
primary means of marine communication. This is a
dangerous practice! Cell phones can be useful in many
situations, but a cell phone cannot replace your marine
(VHF)	radio.		In	emergency	situations	your	cell	phone	call	
21
http://www.safeboatingcouncil.org/assets/gmdss.pdf
2015 New York Safe Boating

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