Boating and Sailing.pdf - Moja ladja

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Part 5: Staying Safe Afloat
Boat Bytes
If you hear a MAYDAY call from another boat and you’re close by, you’re legally
obligated to render assistance and stand by until the Coast Guard or other authorities
arrive, as long as doing so doesn’t endanger your own boat or crew. It’s not
uncommon for a Coast Guard helicopter to zoom in and wave nearby recreational
boats to the rescue if they don’t have a boat of their own in the area.
Other drastic emergency procedures are to make use of visual distress signals: lighting up
flares, firing a parachute flare skyward, or waving down another boat using objects of
clothing as a flag. The point is to do whatever it takes to get someone’s attention
promptly.
The Least You Need to Know
◆ Not all emergencies result in disaster—be prepared and you can come through most
situations safely.
◆ Carrying appropriate emergency gear, including extra bilge pumps and a fire extinguisher,
can save your boat in the event of a leak or fire on board.
◆ Knowing what to do in the event that you or one of your crew falls overboard can
prevent a tragedy.
◆ Know the procedures for calling for help when your own remedies don’t solve the
problem.