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Boat course

Unit 2

Launching with wind blowing into the dock
untie stern
Move bow line to mid dock
Check bow fenders
Forward gear so stern goes away from dock
Release bow line
Back up
Leave
Launching with wind blowing out from dock
Cast off bow and stern
Push away from dock
Leave
Docking - no wind
Approach at narrow angle (<20 degrees)
Tie bow line
Swing in and tie stern line
Docking - wind toward the dock
Approach parallel to the dock
Let the wind carry you to the dock
Secure bow and stern
Docking - wind away from the dock
Approach at a sharp angle (40 degrees)
Use reverse to stop
Secure the bow line
Put in forward gear and turn the steering wheel hard away from the deck to swing in the stern line

Traffic Laws
give-way vs stand-on vessel (power v power)
Meeting head on
both vessels give way
Paths crossing
Vessel on the operator’s port (left) is the give way vessel
Vessel on the operator’s starboard (right) is the stand on vessel
Overtaking
Vessel overtaking is the give way
Power v sailing - power is always the give way

Lights
sidelight green - right
sidelight red - left
stern and all around light - white
When you see green and white (all around light), you are the stand on (the other boat is on your left)
When you see red and white (all around light), you are the give way (the other boat is on your right
When you see red and green, you are both give way
When you see only white (stern light), you are overtaking
If no white lights, it is a sailing vessel, give way
Sound signals can communicate a change in direction to other boaters.
One short blast tells other boaters, “I intend to pass you on my port (left) side.”
Two short blasts tell other boaters, “I intend to pass you on my starboard (right) side.”
Three short blasts tell other boaters, “I am operating astern propulsion.” For some vessels, this tells other boaters, “I am backing up.”
Sound signals let other boaters know where you are located during periods of restricted visibility, such as extreme fog. If you hear the fog signal of a vessel you cannot see, slow to a minimum speed until you are sure there is not a risk of collision.
One prolonged blast at intervals of not more than two minutes is the signal used by power-driven vessels when underway.
One prolonged blast plus two short blasts at intervals of not more than two minutes is the signal used by sailing vessels.
Sound signals are used to warn other boaters or alert them to danger.
One prolonged blast is a warning signal (for example, used when coming around a blind bend or leaving the dock).
Five (or more) short, rapid blasts are used to signal danger or to signal that you do not understand or you disagree with the other boater’s intentions.

Unit 3

Red markers mark the edge of the channel on your starboard side as you enter from the open sea or head upstream
Green markers mark the edge of the channel on your port side as you enter from the open sea or head upstream
Red/green
If green is on top, the preferred channel is to the right.
If red is on top, the preferred channel is to the left.
These also are sometimes referred to as “junction buoys.”
Other buoys
Orange/white
rocks
circle: wake zone
cross: restricted area
arrows: directions to fuel, food
Red/white: safe all sides
Blue/white: for mooring
Black/white: obstructions from there to shore
PWC
you lose steering when you lose power or idle
the pump intake area is dangerous for hands, feet, hair
Unit 4
Improper Distance is operating a vessel at greater than 5 mph when operating within 100 feet of:
The shore
A dock or pier
A raft or float
An anchored or moored vessel
New York law sets the following limits on blood alcohol concentration.
You are considered to be boating while intoxicated if your blood alcohol concentration is 0.08% or greater.
In addition to being subject to the limits above, vessel operators under 21 years of age also are subject to “zero tolerance” penalties. “Zero tolerance” is enforced for minors whose blood alcohol concentration is between 0.02% and 0.07%.
New York law requires the following with respect to PFDs.
All vessels (including canoes, kayaks, and rowboats) must have at least one USCG–approved Type I, II, III, or V PFD for each person on board.
In addition to the above requirements, vessels 16 feet in length or longer (except canoes, kayaks, and rowboats) must have one USCG–approved Type IV throwable device on board.
All persons on board a recreational vessel less than 21 feet in length (including canoes, kayaks, and rowboats) must wear a USCG–approved PFD from November 1 to May 1.
New York law requires that all children under 12 years of age wear a USCG–approved Type I, II, or III PFD while on board any vessel less than 65 feet in length (including canoes, kayaks, and rowboats) unless they are in a fully enclosed cabin.
Each person riding on a PWC or being towed behind a vessel must wear a USCG–approved Type I, II, or III PFD.
One Type V PFD may be substituted for any other type if it is specifically approved by the USCG for the activity at hand. Type V PFDs may not be substituted on children weighing less than 90 lbs.
All PFDs must be in good and serviceable condition and readily accessible. The PFDs must be of the proper size for the intended wearer. Sizing for PFDs is based on body weight and chest size.
Type I (best, like out to sea), Type II (orange), Type III (vest), Type IV (non-wearable), Type V (special, like skiing)
Extinguishers are classified by a number and letter symbol. The number tells you how much of a fire the extinguisher can put out, and the letter tells you the type of fire it will extinguish.
Type A fires are of combustible solids such as wood. On Type A extinguishers, the number relates to how many gallons of water the extinguisher is equal to for a Type A fire.
Type B fires are of flammable liquids such as gasoline or oil. On Type B extinguishers, the number tells you the square footage of the fire the extinguisher can put out.
Type C fires are electrical fires. Type C extinguishers do not use numbers.
Lights
If less than 65.6 feet (20 meters) long, these vessels must exhibit the lights as shown in the illustration. Remember, power-driven vessels include sailboats operating under engine power. The required lights are:
Red and green sidelights visible from a distance of at least two miles away—or if less than 39.4 feet (12 meters) long, at least one mile away—on a dark, clear night.
An all-round white light (if less than 39.4 feet long) or both a masthead light and a sternlight. These lights must be visible from a distance of at least two miles away on a dark, clear night. The all-round white light (or the masthead light) must be at least 3.3 feet (one meter) higher than the sidelights.
Red should be on the left side of the bow and green on the right side of the bow.
All vessels are required to display a white light visible from all directions whenever they are moored or anchored outside a designated mooring area between sunset and sunrise.

Common Sound Signals

Sound signals must be audible for at least one-half mile. Some common sound signals that you should be familiar with as a recreational boater are as follows.
A short blast lasts one second.
A prolonged blast lasts 4–6 seconds.

Changing Direction

One short blast tells other boaters, “I intend to pass you on my left (port) side.”
Two short blasts tell other boaters, “I intend to pass you on my right (starboard) side.”
Three short blasts tell other boaters, “I am operating astern propulsion.” For some vessels, this tells other boaters, “I am backing up.”

Restricted Visibility

One prolonged blast at intervals of not more than two minutes is the signal used by power-driven vessels when underway.
One prolonged blast plus two short blasts at intervals of not more than two minutes is the signal used by sailing vessels.

Warning

One prolonged blast is a warning signal (for example, used when coming around a blind bend or exiting a slip).
Five (or more) short, rapid blasts signal danger or signal that you do not understand or that you disagree with the other boater’s intentions.

Here are some specific MSD requirements for New York.
Any land-locked lake located completely within the borders of New York or state canals: No discharge of any sewage is permitted. All marine sewage must be kept on board the vessel in a Type III MSD and pumped ashore at a marine pump-out facility.
The waters of Canandiagua Lake, Skaneateles Lake, Greenwood (Orange County) Lake, or Lake George: Any vessel equipped with a toilet, sink, tub, etc., which results in the drainage of any wastewater whatsoever must have all such material drain into a holding tank. The holding tank must be drained ashore at a marine pump-out facility. Any overboard lines from such systems must also be either sealed or removed.
The Great Lakes, Long Island Sound, or any tidal water: Vessels may discharge sewage overboard only after it has been treated in a USCG–certified Type I or II MSD. A Type I MSD may not be used on vessels over 65 feet in length.
Hudson River up to Albany, many bays and inlets on Long Island: Localities located in tidal areas may adopt a no-discharge zone, provided they follow the requirements of both federal and state laws. Consult with local officials in these areas.
Lake Champlain: Boaters may not discharge sewage. All marine sewage must be kept on board the vessel in a Type III MSD and pumped ashore at a marine pump-out facility. All overboard discharge valves have to be secured. Any overboard lines must be disconnected and removed, and any overboard opening must be sealed shut.
Unit 5
If someone on your boat falls overboard, you need to immediately:
Reduce speed and toss the victim a PFD—preferably a throwable type—unless you know he or she is already wearing a PFD.
Turn your boat around and slowly pull alongside the victim, approaching the victim from downwind or into the current, whichever is stronger.
Stop the engine. Pull the victim on board over the stern, keeping the weight in the boat balanced, especially in small boats.
If fire erupts on your boat:
Stop the boat if you are underway. Have everyone who is not wearing a PFD put one on in case you must abandon the boat.
Position the boat so that the fire is downwind.
If the fire is at the back of the boat, head into the wind. If the engine must be shut off, use a paddle to keep the bow into the wind.
If the fire is at the front of the boat, put the stern into the wind.
If the fire is in an engine space, shut off the fuel supply.
Aim the fire extinguisher at the base of the flames, and sweep back and forth.
Never use water on a gasoline, oil, grease, or electrical fire.
Summon help with your VHF marine radio.
To use a fire extinguisher correctly, remember PASS.

P: Pull the pin. ​A: Aim at the base of the fire. ​S: Squeeze the handle. ​S: Sweep side to side.

If you run aground, make sure no one is injured and then check for leaks.
If the impact did not cause a leak, follow these steps to try to get loose.
Don’t put the boat in reverse. Instead, stop the engine and lift the outdrive.
Shift the weight to the area farthest away from the point of impact.
Try to shove off from the rock, bottom, or reef with a paddle or boathook.
Check to make sure your boat is not taking on water.
If you can’t get loose, summon help using your visual distress signals. Call for assistance using your VHF marine radio.
There are four stages of cold water immersion. This is what happens in the first two stages.
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