BOATING ETIQUETTE
“Try to avoid looking like someone who’s brand new to boating,” is the advice of Sgt. Bryan Young, a DGIF conservation officer who spends approximately 100 days each season patrolling Smith Mountain Lake. “It’s great to be seen in a new-looking, well-kept boat, but new boat operators should try to avoid novice boating mistakes,” Young said. “Even experienced boaters sometimes forget and exhibit behavior that discredits their skills and, worse yet, compromises their safety and the safety of others.” With the 2013 season on the horizon for new and experienced boaters alike, a review of key elements of good boating behavior is timely:
Safe boating is good boating Seasoned skippers know that staying focused on boating safely results in courteous boating behavior as well. A few tips: • Stay well away from other boats, docks and swimmers while underway. • Stay to the right side of channels, creeks and coves. • Give a wide berth to boats that are being overtaken. • Adjust speed to traffic, visibility and water conditions.
Skippers are in charge
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By default, the captain is in charge of everything that happens aboard his/her vessel, and that begins with everyone’s safety. It is proper and prudent to make sure everyone knows where to find a properly fitting life jacket, to offer a life jacket to all who might be more comfortable wearing one, and to require them to be worn by all passengers 2013 SW VIRGINIA 12 and younger. Boating etiquette includes letting guests know what is expected of them
while they are aboard, including what help the skipper wants with casting off, tying up, buying gas and cleaning up afterwards.
Greeting other boaters Boaters typically greet other boaters they encounter with a wave and a smile. If underway, the greeting is not only courteous but also a confirmation that you are aware of one another’s presence and intentions. Greeting other boaters contributes to both enjoyment and safety.
Captain, mind that wake! Boats create wakes while underway — especially when running bow-high. Skippers are accountable for any havoc their wake creates. Avoid plowing through coves, making a big wake that damages docks and endangers swimmers. Stay well clear of fishing boats that are anchored, drifting or trolling. Those towing tubers, wake boarders and surfers need to be especially mindful of the effect their wakes are having on nearby boats, people and shorelines.
Fuel safely Improper fueling procedures endanger your vessel and crew as well as others in the vicinity of the gas dock. Spilled fuel is both a fire and environmental hazard, so be attentive and don’t overfill. Inboards and inboard/outboards need to be vented by opening the engine hatch and running the bilge blower for a few minutes before restarting the engine.
Keep the noise down Stereo systems turned up so loud as to invade the peace of other boaters and shoreline residents is a common complaint, so be aware of your music’s potential for noise pollution. Laughter and splashing is happy noise and pleasing; family disagreements over who gets the last chicken wing are best kept within your own space. Remember: sound travels very efficiently over water.