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California Boating
A Course for Safe Boating
Chapter 3
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Vessel Operation
Reckless or Negligent Operation
California law says no one may operate a boat, water skis, an aquaplane
or other vessel in a way that will be dangerous to people and property.
Dangerous examples include:
Riding on the bow, gunwale or transom of a moving vessel when you’re not
protected by railings.
Riding your vessel over the towline of another vessel or its skiers.
Steering your vessel between another towing vessel and the skiers or freight
it’s towing.
Boating while under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol.
Boating too close to swimmers.
Boating too fast in a crowded area, or in thick fog and heavy storms.
Speeding in restricted areas, “buzzing” or “wetting down” others, or skiing
when or where you’re not allowed.
Teak surfing, body surfing or platform dragging behind a boat.
Docking
Check
the current and wind direction so that you can ease the boat into the
dock. It’s easiest to land at a dock when you are heading into the current
and/or wind.
Check
your docking skills. Practice docking to an anchored float in open
water. This will help you understand how wind and current affect the
handling of your boat. For a temporary low-cost float, use an empty plastic
milk jug anchored with a line and small weight.
Tips for Tying Up
Check
the tide level so you can make allowances when mooring your boat
to a stationary pier. If the tide is high, remember to leave enough slack in
the lines to adapt to low tide.
Check
the type of dock you are using. If it is a floating dock, it will rise and
fall with the tides and water level. In this case, you should secure your boat
tight to the dock.
Check
and secure the bow, stern and spring lines before leaving the boat.
Check
the fenders. Make sure they are placed properly between the boat
and the dock.
KNOW YOUR LINES
Mooring lines are used to secure a
boat to a dock. These lines should be
long enough to allow the boat to rise
and fall with the tide or flow of the
water, but not so long that the boat
strays too far from the dock.
Bow line.
The bow line
leads forward from the bow
to the dock.
Stern line.
The stern line leads
backward (aft) from the stern
to the dock.
Spring lines.
The spring lines
lead aft from the bow and forward
from the stern. You typically
use spring lines in rough water
conditions.