Boating and Sailing.pdf - Moja ladja

Chapter 18: The Best Defense Is Common Sense
In fact, one of the best ways to explore a reef, search for scallops, or simply snorkel over a
grass flat is to let the boat drift right along with the swimmers on the tide movements.
When anyone gets tired, the boat is only a few strokes away. An alternative is to swim upcurrent
when exploring from an anchored boat. That way, when you get tired, you simply
stop swimming and ride the current back to the boat.
Water Skiing
Water skiing is a major attraction to boating for kids and active adults, but it can also
involve some dangers. The best way to avoid problems is to assign one person as the designated
“watcher” who faces aft and keeps an eye on the skier at all times, while the skipper
keeps his or her mind fully on operating the boat. (A “watcher” is required by law in
some states.)
The major danger in operating a boat near skiers is that the prop will be rotating at fairly
close proximity to them after a fall or when they want to be picked up. The best policy is
to steer a circular course approaching the skier
and then shut off the motor, rather than putting
it in idle, as you let the boat slip sideways near
enough for them to board.
Let the skier swim the last few yards to the boat,
rather than trying to motor close to him or her.
Skiers must wear PFDs, of course, and should also
learn the basic hand signals for communication
with the boat. They are:
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Snorkeling for scallops is fun,
but who’s left in the boat to
pick up this swimmer if he
gets tired? This boat also
lacks the legally required
“diver down” flag to warn
other boaters there’s a diver
in the water.
(Photo credit: Frank Sargeant)
Look Out!
The motor should never
be running when anyone is on or
near the boarding ladder at the
stern. Have your designated
“watcher” remind you of this fact
any time you forget.