I spent a recent Saturday at the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary’s About Boating Safely class. After years of boating on Lake Tahoe with someone else at the helm, I decided that I should learn more about boating on the Lake. My friend Charlie Good, who is also our publisher, decided to join me.
This class is about much more than safety, however. Basic boating terms, equipment, signals, lights and navigation aides, knots and boating etiquette, are among the topics covered in this all-class.
It’s a fascinating mix of basic concepts, safety concerns and hands-on knots taught by members of the Auxiliary, who throw in a few of their personal stories and mistakes.
Division Commander Dee Dee Kincade shared some scary statistics during the class. In 2007, the year of the most recent data, there were 685 boating fatalities in the United States, according to the North American Safe Boating Campaign. Of that, 89 percent were not wearing a life jacket, or PFD (personal flotation device). As well, they reported 1,329 accidents with another vessel, resulting in 66 of the fatalities. The other major types of accidents were caused by collision with a fixed object, skier mishap, people falling overboard and capsizing (the last two accounting for the most deaths.)
It’s scary out there, especially once you realize that many people are unsafe, uninformed and unconcerned, making it even more important to heed the Coast Guard’s and Auxiliary’s warnings about safety.
I can’t possible relate all of the information I learned during the course, but here’s a taste of few things everyone should know. And, if you’re interested in learning more, the Auxiliary will hold another class on Aug. 1
PFDs
Everyone on your boat needs to have a life jacket. That means, if your boat has eight PFDs and 10 passengers, you’re not covered in case of an accident, a fire on board or any other emergency. If the boat starts to sink, which two members of your friends or family will you pick to die if something happens? And, you need to have PFDs that fit the people on board from infants and toddlers to extra-large sizes, if needed. And, while you’re at it don’t forget your dog. Get him a PFD, too.
The law requires that boaters have Coast Guard-approved PFDs on board. The quantity and type depends on the length of the vessel and the number of people on board.
If you’re operating the vessel by yourself, the Coast Guard recommends wearing a PFD at all times and use a lanyard to secure the boat key to yourself in case you fall overboard. California law requires all children under 12 to wear a PFD at all times, while Nevada requires one be worn by all children under 13.
Be prepared
Every boat should be prepared for an emergency, but also for having fun and day-to-day boating. Lake Tahoe can be a dangerous lake for those unprepared.
First, know your capacity. There’s a handy little Maximum Capacity Plate on every vessel. Check what it is and stick to it, or you’ll likely end up capsizing.
Check the weather before going out. If the forecast calls for high waves or winds, don’t go out. Have someone be the lookout at all times – for other boats, for hazards, for water skiers, etc.
The Coast Guard also recommends carrying a VHF marine radio and cell, bilge pump, anchor with the right size line, extra fuel and lubricants, paddles or oars, water, spare parts, flashlight and batteries, tool kits, map and compass, first aid kit, docking lines, throw line coiled in a small bag, visual distress signals, safety flag for water skiers, and extra clothing and sunscreen.
Navigation
Explaining the traffic laws of the waterways is nearly impossible in a column. It’s easier demonstrated with illustration. But, basically, for all of you cruisers and runabouts out there – the majority of boats on the Lake – you need to give right of way to sailboats, kayaks, dinghies and inflatables, any boat towing a water skier or tuber or the parasailers, vessels with limited maneuverability (like the “Tahoe Gal” or “Tahoe Queen”) and disabled vessels.
Second, stop cutting people off. Stop coming up behind them and veering around them. Stop trying to be the first one in the channel at Emerald Bay. And, slow down. Most accidents are caused by speeding.
Watch your wake. If you speed by a buoy field and your wake capsizes a kayaker – that’s your fault. You are responsible for your wake and what your wake does.
Learn the Aids to Navigation, or ATONs, including buoys, beacons, markers and others. There are many different types that mark channels like Emerald Bay, regulate speed, provide information and warn of dangers. For Lake Tahoe, when you’re entering Emerald Bay, stay between the green and red buoys, keeping to the far right (starboard) as possible. If you head outside these buoys, you will hit massive underwater boulders just under the surface.
To sign up for the next About Boating Safely class on Aug. 1 or the Kayak Safety class on Oct. 10, call Jerry Gilmore at (530) 587-3334. The Auxiliary also offers free vessel safety checks and will come to you. Call Joe Harris at (650) 279-9159.
