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The list below contains useful information and safety tips for new drivers. We're continually adding to the list, so if you have any good hints you'd like to contribute please email them to abcboating@bigpond.com The format is simple, but the information is clear and to the point. Because that's the type of business Australian Boating College is.
Current topics are :
Marine Radio Usage
Whilst primarily used for boats travelling in partially smooth and open waters, a marine radio is a useful safety device to carry on all boats as it enables voice communication of distress, obtaining up to date weather forecasts, and general ship to ship and ship to shore communications. It is used extensively by the volunteer rescue organisations as a log on/ log off mechanism for recreational craft.
A marine radio is preferable to using a mobile phone, as it is a general broadcast communication, rather than one to one communication facility. This means that a vessel close to you may pick up your distress call and be able to render immediate assistance, rather than seeking assistance by phoning a distant source of help. We advise carrying both a mobile phone and a marine radio.
Phonetic Alphabet
A Alpha N November
B Bravo O Oscar
C Charlie P Papa
D Delta Q Quebec
E Echo R Romeo
F Foxtrot S Sierra
G Golf T Tango
H Hotel U Uniform
I India V Victor
J Juliett W Whiskey
K Kilo X X-Ray
L Lima Y Yankee
M Mike Z Zulu
Example of a typical Login Call when reception is clear to Coast Guard/Marine Rescue. If reception was not clear the call signs would be repeated three times:
Using Channel 90 or 91 (Depending on Location) for 27Meg Radio, Channel 73 for VHF Radio
Boat Skipper:- "Coast Guard Manly, Coast Guard Manly, this is (Boat Name, Boat Name, e.g. SeaQuest)"
Coast Guard Manly:- "SeaQuest, SeaQuest, this is Coast Guard Manly"
Boat Skipper:- "Good Morning Manly, this is SeaQuest. Just wanting to log in for the day. We are a 5 Metre aluminium boat with 3 adults on board, departing from Manly Harbor and heading over to Tangalooma Wrecks. We plan to be back in Harbor about 5.00pm. Could you put us on the log please?"
Coast Guard Manly:- "SeaQuest this is Coast Guard Manly. Romeo to that. We have you on the log. Have a nice day and remember to log off when you return, or call us to extend if you are staying out later."
Boat Skipper:- "Coast Guard Manly this is SeaQuest. Thanks very much. SeaQuest out"
Coast Guard Manly:- "Coast Guard Manly Standing By"
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Murphy’s Law Situations
Below is a summarised small list of real experiences which have occurred to off shore boaties. We’ve placed them here so you can think about how you’d handle them in the comfort of your lounge room, rather than facing the situation on the water.
These things have happened, as well as a few thousand others not mentioned! (We've left out the good things about boating, you'll discover them yourself)
Engine breaks down when crossing a bar
Engine breaks down in water too deep to drop anchor
Boat breaks down when out of radio range
Boat swamped off shore
Boat run over by passing ship
Boat capsized off-shore
Boat capsized in bar
Boat swamped in bar
Gear dropped overboard
Transom & engine fall off boat (boat sunk)
Sharks gnawing on boat
Running out of fuel
Bad visibility down to 100m
Wind springs up causing huge seas
Swell comes up and closes bar
Stings/bites cause skipper incapacitation
Encounter a broken down vessel
Tow a vessel through a bar
Divers below and unmanned boat drifts away
Boat swamped and sunk whilst divers below
Boat stolen whilst divers below
Anchor gets stuck on a reef
Loss of anchor (drifting in heavy seas)
Seasickness
Injury on board
Fire on board
Person overboard
Hitting a turtle
Gear malfunction
Beached on a reef
Temporarily unsure of position (lost)
‘Oft heard quote in the boating fraternity’: "Ah, the joys of boating"
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Safe Driving for Water Skiing
1. Make sure ski rope is taut before taking off
2. When skier is jumping into water from boat, make them jump on up current/upwind side
3. Always travel on starboard side of channel, leaving plenty of room for skier to ski
4. Make sure the skier, and you, know what hand signals to use to go faster/slower
5. Always have an observer in boat. There are usually minimum age regulations for an observer
6. Never cut across the path of an oncoming boat
7. Trim the engine up when under way to achieve better fuel economy
8. Always switch engine off before skier climbs back on to boat
9. Driver must keep skier sighted when drawing alongside to pass rope
10. Never reverse when boat near skier in water
11. Avoid rope tangles with propeller
12. Always look left and right before doing a beach start
13. Have observer pull in rope as soon as skier finished. Never leave rope trailing
14. Never allow skier to wrap rope around a limb whilst in water
15. Put boat between fallen skier and oncoming boats
16. Skier should signal ok after a fall
17. Never come in against traffic when approaching ski beach
18. Concentrate on what's in front (80%), at sides (10%), and behind (10%) when driving
19. Ensure observer knows their role
20. Ensure driver, observer, and skier agree on meanings of signals before taking off
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Launching & Retrieving at boat ramps
A variety of conditions may cause a boat ramp to become slippery. Whilst this is normally not so much a problem when launching a boat, it can cause dramas to the unprepared when retrieving a boat. The last thing most boaties want after a day out on the water is an embarrassing and frustrating episode in front of all the 'experts' and onlookers back at the boat ramp.
Here are some hints, which may help avoid or overcome the situation.
Never race your car and boat down a ramp and then hit the brakes to launch your boat. Plenty of cars have gone in because the ramp was slippery or the boat was still secured.
Always have a line from the bow of your boat so that if it goes into deep water off the trailer you won't have to swim out to it.
Never launch your boat from the trailer and then attempt to start it when adrift. Murphy's Law states that your engine will not start.
Always walk down a boat ramp you've never tried before. It may drop off or be slippery.
Try not to get your trailer axle into water in an effort to preserve bearings.
When retrieving, if the ramp has a drop off at low tide, you should time it so that the tide has risen before you attempt to retrieve.
If the ramp is slippery and you only have a 2 wheel drive car: where the water is deep enough it may be possible to use forward gear from the boat engine to help push the car out. NB.. Make sure the trailer safety chain is secured to bow of boat before attempting as otherwise boat may end up on the car roof. NB.. Ensure water is deep enough and take care of propeller.
If there is mud or slime on the ramp, slow spinning of the car tyres may dry it out and enable the car to claw its way up .
If you are retrieving with waves, wash, or current affecting the boat ramp, getting someone to hold the boat in line will greatly assist. If water is too deep for them to stand in, run a line from the stern bollard to a person on the shore so that they can keep boat in line
There are a variety of trailer products on the market to assist in launching & retrieving. See your local marine dealer.
Ramp etiquette:
Usually at a good boat ramp, with a shore-line where boats can be rested, and in good weather, a car queuing system of launch/retrieval occurs.
At a boat ramp where there are rocks on the beach and no place to rest boat, or in bad weather conditions (waves on ramp), a boat queuing system occurs.
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Boating Terms
Abaft : aft of; towards the stern from a designated location
Aft : towards, at, or near the stern
Amidships : in the vicinity of the mid length of a vessel as distinguished from the ends
Anode : an electrolyte carrying a positive charge
Ballast : any solid or liquid weight placed in a vessel to increase the draft, to change the trim, or to regulate stability
Beam : the maximum breadth of the hull
Berth : where a vessel is docked or tied up
Bilge : intersection of bottom and side. The lower parts of holds, tanks and machinery spaces where bilge water may accumulate
Bow : the forward end of a vessel
Broach : to be turned 90 degrees off course, usually owing to a wave action from astern
Bulkhead : a term applied to the vertical partition walls that divide the interior of a vessel into compartments or rooms
Chine : abrupt change in the transverse shape where a vessel's side and bottom come together
Cleat : a fitting having two arms or horns around which ropes may be made fast
Dead rise : angle rise from the keel to the chine
Derrick : a device for hoisting and lowering heavy weights, cargo, stores, etc.
Displacement Hull: a hull that moves through water, displacing a weight of water equal to it’s own weight
Dock : a place for mooring a vessel, usually between two piers
Draft : the depth of the vessel below the water line, measured vertically to the lowest part of the hull, propeller, or other reference point
Electrolysis : the effect of an electric current passing through an electrolyte in transferring ions from one part to another
Even Keel : a shop is said to be on an even Keel when the Keel is horizontal
Fathom : equivalent to 6 linear feet
Fender : the term applied to devices built into or hung over the sides of a vessel to prevent rubbing or chafing against other vessels or piers
Ferro-cement : structural material comprising a relatively thin layer of cement intimately reinforced with steel rods and mesh
Flukes : the parts of an anchor that are intended to dig into the bottom
Forecastle (Fo'c's'le) : a superstructure fitted at the extreme forward end of the upper deck
Founder : sink and go to the bottom
Freeboard : the distance from the water line to the upper surface of the freeboard deck at the side
Galley : a cook room or Kitchen on a vessel
Gangway : a passageway, side shell opening, or ladder used for boarding or leaving a vessel
Halyard : lines used in hoisting sails, signals, flags, etc.
Head : toilet; believed to be derived from 'vessels head' when a small platform outside the bulwarks near the bow was the only semblance of sanitary facilities
Hull : the structural body of a vessel
Keel : principal fore-aft component of a vessels framing, located along the centre line
Ketch : a vessel with fore and aft sailing rig with two masts, the forward one being somewhat larger than the other
Knot : 1 Nautical mile per hour. Nautical mile = 1852 metres.
Lee ; the side away from the wind
Mooring : securing a vessel at a pier or elsewhere by several lines so as to limit it's movement
Mooring buoy : a floating structure firmly anchored to the bottom and to which a vessel may moor
Planing Hull: a type of hull shaped to glide easily across the water at high speed
Poop : a superstructure fitted to the after end of the upper deck
Port Side : the left hand side of a vessel when looking forward
Quartering sea : a series of waves approaching a vessel at about 45 degrees off the bow or stern
Rigging : chains, wire ropes, fibre lines, and associated fittings and accessories used to support masts and booms used for handling cargo and stores and for other purposes
Rudder : a device used to steer a vessel
Sacrificial anode : metal parts fitted to the hull of a vessel to provide a transfer of ions to t he cathodic part of an electrolytic coupling and so protect other parts of the vessel that would otherwise waste away through electrolysis
Schooner : a sailing vessel fitted with two or more masts carrying fore and aft sails. When it is fitted with two masts, the forward may be shorter than the other
Scuppers : drains from decks to carry off rain or sea water
Shank : in an anchor, the straight section between the chain attachment and the flukes
Shoal water : shallow water
Sloop : a sailboat with a single mast and fore and aft rig, usually with a single jib and mainsail
Spring line : a mooring rope oriented at a small angle to the vessels centre line
Starboard side : the right hand side of a vessel when looking forward
Stays : fixed wire ropes leading forward from aloft on a mast to the deck to prevent the mast from bending aft. Backstays lead from aloft to aft
Stern : after end of a vessel
Stow : to put away. To stow cargo in a hold
Tiller : an arm, attached to rudder stock, which turn the rudder
Windlass : the machine used to hoist and lower anchors
Yawing : weaving motion of a vessel to port and starboard off course
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Managing an on-water breakdown situation
Every skipper needs to ask them self this question. :- Is my boat at some stage going to break down?
The answer to that question is YES, under the law of averages your boat will definitely break down. The nature of the activity is that a mechanical device will at some stage fail. Therefore, not knowing when the breakdown will occur, all trip planning needs to be done on the basis that it could be THIS TRIP that the breakdown happens. If you have consciously thought prior to the trip about how to manage the breakdown, and planned and prepared for it, then when it happens you'll be much more able to manage the situation.
Important - Your preparation will vary, depending on trip location, and things such as weather and tides.
When a vessel breaks down, typically all passengers look at the Skipper and think "you got us into this mess, so you get us out of it". At this stage you'll need to manage the people on-board, and may have to set them specific tasks.
Your first concern is whether the vessel is in immediate danger. Are you drifting onto rocks, or into the path of an oncoming large vessel, or into a surf break. Your next action will be determined based on the presence of that immediate danger, and you will have to take the appropriate steps to alleviate that danger (anchor up/paddle for your life/signal to oncoming vessel etc). Once any immediate dangers have been dealt with, you would normally attempt to restart the vessel, by trouble-shooting and attempting to fix whatever caused the breakdown. If the problem is simple, you may be able to identify and remedy it and happily continue on your way. If you are unable to remedy the fault, you will need to manage a rescue. Most of your rescue management options come back to your pre-departure vessel and trip preparation.
With an effective marine radio or mobile phone on-board, you will be able to communicate to a rescue service or gain assistance via voice communication. With another propulsion source, such as oars and row-locks, you may be able to move your vessel to a location from where the vessel may be retrieved. With a tow rope on-board, you are ready to be towed by a passing vessel who offers assistance. With visual distress aids such as waving arms, flares and V-sheets, you may be able to visually communicate with other vessels in the vicinity. The choice of which distress signal to use (voice/visual) will be made by the skipper.
As the skipper, you will feel stressed during the breakdown. A physical reaction to stress is perspiration and a dry throat. Therefore, you will wish you had plenty of water on-board. If the situation takes many hours (or days) to resolve, all on board will be subject to the elements. Therefore suitable weather protective gear would apply.
The question of physical characteristics of the people on-board needs to be considered. If you are unable to row the distance back to safety, would it not be better to conserve your energy and anchor up and think of another way to get the vessel to it's desired location? (flag down a passing boat/wait for tide or wind change and let the natural forces drift you the way you wish to go.) If you have young or elderly people on-board, they will cope less well physically with being exposed to the elements for a long period, so prompt voice communication to a rescue service would be a high priority.
If you are overdue from an off-shore trip, was there someone at home whom you had left details with, so they could provide the rescue authorities with relevant details so they would know when and where to start looking for you? Had you logged in with the rescue service and given them your trip information?
Good experienced skippers plan for all eventualities, (and I say 'Good', because heaps of experienced skippers don't do enough contingency planning) including weather changes etc.. and take the appropriate actions. One of the things ABC goes through when training people is What is the appropriate rescue procedure on THIS stretch of water and for MY boat.
Next time you do a boat trip, include in your prior planning 'what will I do if the boat breaks down'. Put the appropriate equipment on-board, and when the break-down does occur, you'll be able to turn to your passengers and say "don't worry folks, I planned for this, it's all under control".
How greatly comforted they'll be to hear those words!
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