New York Safe Boating - 2020 - 21

damage. 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
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New York Safe Boating - 2020

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