A Course for Safe Boating

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78 California Boating A Course for Safe Boating
Chapter 3 u Vessel Operation
Navigation Rules for Sailboats
When two sailing vessels are approaching one another, one of them shall keep
out of the way of the other so as to avoid the risk of collision, as follows:
ƒ ƒ When each has the wind on a different side, the vessel with the wind on the
port side shall keep out of the way of the other.
ƒ ƒ When both have the wind on the same side, the vessel that is to windward
shall keep out of the way of the vessel that is to leeward.
ƒ ƒ If a vessel with the wind on the port side sees a vessel to windward and
cannot determine with certainty whether the other vessel has the wind on
the port or the starboard side, she shall keep out of the way of the other.
The windward side shall be deemed to be the side opposite to that on which
the mainsail is carried or, in the case of a square-rigged vessel, the side oppo-
site to that on which the largest fore-and-aft sail is carried.
Note: International sailing rules are the same as those above.
Before Leaving the Dock
ƒ ƒ Check out your skills by taking sailing lessons or sailing with someone who
is experienced.
ƒ ƒ Check to see if passengers are wearing properly fitted, Coast Guard-approved
life jackets. Under California state law, children under the age of 13 must
wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket when underway, unless they are
restrained by a harness tethered to the sailboat or are in an enclosed cabin.
ƒ ƒ Check your clothing. Wear clothing in layers. Wear protective clothing, such
as wind breakers, and deck shoes that provide traction on wet surfaces.
ƒ ƒ Check the radio or cellular phone to make sure it’s working.
ƒ ƒ Check your protective equipment. Wear UV-rated sunglasses and apply sun
block to exposed skin.
ƒ ƒ Check the weather conditions.
ƒ ƒ Check the safety equipment. Be sure you have a fire extinguisher aboard
and that it’s working. Check to see if you have rowing equipment in case of
a power loss.
ƒ ƒ Check the sails and rigging for rips, tears or damaged clews.
REVIEW QUESTIONS: SAILING
Answer these questions by circling T for true or F for false.
1. You push a tiller in the opposite direction from the direction you want to go . . . . . . . . . . . T F
2. It is not necessary to wear a life jacket on larger sailboats because they almost never sink . . . . . . T F
3. All sailboats have backup engines. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . T F
Turn to page 100 for correct answers.
TAKE NOTE
When a sailboat uses a backup
engine, it is considered a powerboat
and must observe the rules of
navigation and operational guidelines
for powerboats.
If the sailboat has an engine
 Check the backup engine, making
sure the motor and propeller are in
operating condition.
 Check the fuel and oil levels.
 Check the engine and fuel lines
for leaks.