A Course for Safe Boating

California Boating

A Course for Safe Boating

Chapter 3

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