A Course for Safe Boating

Chapter 3 u Vessel Operation

What a boat operator can do to prevent propeller accidents: ƒ ƒ Install/maintain propeller warning labels around back of the boat. ƒ ƒ Establish routine and prevention strategies for safely starting the motor: Check for people in the water near the boat, never start a boat with the engine in gear, never board or disembark when the engine is on or idling, be aware of congested areas and designated swimming zones. ƒ ƒ Wear the lanyard kill switch to shut off the motor if you unexpectedly move away from the controls or fall overboard. ƒ ƒ Assign a responsible adult to always report a head count to the operator before starting the motor, and educate passengers about propeller safety. ƒ ƒ When retrieving a person from the water (man overboard), turn the bow of the boat toward the person to keep the propeller away from that person. ƒ ƒ Take the engine out of gear and turn off the engine at least a boat length before reaching the person in the water. Never reverse the boat to pick someone up out of the water. Go around again. ƒ ƒ After the motor is off, throw a line or float to the person to pull them to the boat. ƒ ƒ Never operate the boat under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Propeller safety equipment A variety of safety devices are available to help prevent propeller strikes. Review all options to determine which preventive measures are best for your boat: ƒ ƒ Wireless cut-off switches

TAKE NOTE

A typical three-blade propeller running at 3,200 rpm can inflict 160 impacts in one second. A typical recreational propeller can travel from head to tow on an average person in less than one-tenth of a second. Most propeller accidents can be prevented!

ƒ ƒ Propeller guards ƒ ƒ Ringed propellers ƒ ƒ Propulsion alternatives ƒ ƒ Interlocks ƒ ƒ Sensors ƒ ƒ Anti-feedback steering

Passenger education to prevent propeller accidents As the operator of your boat, it is your responsibility to properly inform your passengers about propeller dangers and how to avoid injury: ƒ ƒ Call attention to the location of the propeller(s), discuss the dangers associ- ated with them and point out the propeller warning labels on the boat. ƒ ƒ Establish clear rules for swim platform use, boarding ladders and seating. ƒ ƒ Assign a passenger to keep watch around the propeller area of your boat when people are in the water and each time you are ready to start the motor.

! WARNING Rotating propeller may cause serious injury or death. Do not approach or use ladder when engine is running.

68

California Boating  A Course for Safe Boating