Canadian Yachting December 2021 - 45

MARINE RULES TO SURVIVE BY
- BY ION BARNES, P/DC VIND
        
came across a do and don't list for young pilots. It seemed so
similar to what we teach that I began to re-write the list and,
at the same time, added a few CPS-ECP taught rules and best
practices.
1. Every departure is optional. Every arrival is mandatory.
2. If you increase your speed, you approach the horizon faster.
If you throttle back, it takes longer to arrive at the horizon.
3. Boating is not dangerous. However, distracted boating is
dangerous.
4. It is always better to be tied to the dock, wishing you were
'out there', than being out there, wishing you were safe, tied
to the dock.
5. The only time you have too much fuel onboard is when you
  
6. The three basic navigational tools you need are a chart, a
compass and a watch. A cell phone, of any description, is neither
       
Do not attempt to disguise or convince others that it is. PCOC
does not have adequate information. Take the CPS-ECP boating
courses 2 and 3.
7. Good judgment comes from experience. Experience comes
from the results of bad judgment.
8. Learn from the mistakes of others. You will not live long
enough to make all of them yourself.
9. A good arrival is one that you can walk away from. A great arrival
is one that ensures you will be able to use the boat again.
10. You will realize you have run aground when you cannot
return to the boat ramp. Can you read a tide table? Take CPSECP
Boating 2 course.
11. Never take a boat somewhere your brain did not get to
        
12. The probability of survival is inversely proportional to the
angle of approach. Large angle equals less survivability.
13. Stay out of fog. The silver lining everyone talks about may
be another vessel. Reliable sources have reported that exposed
rocks like to hide in the fog too. Take the CPS-ECP FundamenCANADIANYACHTING.CA
45
tals
of Weather course.
14. Have a barometer onboard and know how it is used. Again,
take the CPS-ECP Fundamentals of Weather course.
15. It is always a good idea to have the pointed end going
forward as much as possible. Practice docking manoeuvres.
Enlist your guest to participate with docking your boat. Make
         
16. Always keep the number of departures equal with the number
of arrivals.
17. There are only three ways boats collide with each other -
crossing paths, overtaking and head-on. Learn collision-related
rules by taking the CPS-ECP Boating 2 course.
18. You start out with a bag full of luck and an empty bag of
          
you run out of luck.
19. If all you can see out of the windows is water and you hear
chaos from the cabin, things are not going as well as intended.
20. In the ongoing battle between wood, plastic, and metal
travelling at speed, and the ground traveling at zero knots, the
ground has yet to lose.
21. Always keep looking around. There is a good chance you
have missed something. Promote your guests, young and old,
to be lookouts and observers. Give everyone a chance steer the
boat. The person you teach could be your lifesaver.
22. Buoyancy is not just a good idea. It is a Law of Physics and
cannot be repealed. Wear your lifejacket at all times when you
are away from shore. This includes walking on a structure over
the water. This is most true when young children are with you
but don't exclude yourself.
23. The three most useless pieces of information to a boater
are not enough fuel ('E' is for Empty on the gauge, not Enough);
the halfway point is behind you; and the weather change that
went unnoticed.
24. Remember the proverbial 6 Ps: Proper Planning and Preparation
Prevents a Poor Performance. 
48'
46'
44'
42'

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Canadian Yachting December 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Canadian Yachting December 2021