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California Boating
A Course for Safe Boating
Chapter 3
u
Vessel Operation
Prevent Fueling Spills
Think in terms of preventing even a drop of fuel from going into the water,
especially when fueling at a fuel dock or along the shoreline.
Avoid overfilling—fill the tank slowly to avoid a spill. Remember, excess
fuel will flow out the vent (and into the water) when it becomes warm and
expands. It’s best to fill the tank away from the water.
Never leave a gas hose unattended while refueling. Remember, the
automatic shutoff on the gas nozzle may not work.
Be sure that all fuel system fittings are tight and not leaking.
Don’t drain oil into the bilge.
Recycle used oil through your marina, community oil recycling center, or at
an automobile oil change business.
ANCHORING
Using the appropriate anchor and anchoring techniques will prevent collisions,
grounding, and drifting. Keep the anchor and it’s lines in an easy to reach
place on your boat.
Types of Anchors
The type of anchor you need depends on where you’re anchoring your boat.
Danforth® anchors work best in clay, sand and mud.
Kedge anchors are the best type to use in weeds or grass.
Grapnel anchors work best on a rocky bottom.
Mushroom anchors give a temporary hold in sand or firm mud.
Plow anchors dig in to a hard or gravel bottom.
An anchor rode is a line, cable and/or chain. The chain helps keep the
anchor parallel to the bottom so it can “dig in.” Any vertical movement of
the boat from wave action is “absorbed” by the rope and chain, leaving the
anchor intact.
Nylon makes a good anchor line because it stretches and acts like a shock
absorber during strong current, wind or wave action.
When You Anchor
Select a protected spot. Try to find a spot where obstacles or debris on the
bottom will not snag the anchor or rode.
Head the boat into the wind or current.
Back the engine so that the boat is moving astern very slowly. Then put the
engine in neutral.
REMEMBER
Discharging any oily water, oil, or
petroleum product into the water is
against state and federal law. You are
responsible for cleanup costs and
correcting any environmental damage
caused by your fuel spill, under the
California Oil Spill Prevention and
Response Act of 1990.
Grapnel
Danforth
®
Mushroom
Kedge
ANCHORS
Plow