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58

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:

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Riding on the bow, gunwale or transom of a moving vessel when you’re not

protected by railings.

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Riding your vessel over the towline of another vessel or its skiers.

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Steering your vessel between another towing vessel and the skiers or freight

it’s towing.

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Boating while under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol.

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Boating too close to swimmers.

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Boating too fast in a crowded area, or in thick fog and heavy storms.

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Speeding in restricted areas, “buzzing” or “wetting down” others, or skiing

when or where you’re not allowed.

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Teak surfing, body surfing or platform dragging behind a boat.

Docking

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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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Check

and secure the bow, stern and spring lines before leaving the boat.

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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.