Boating Basics  Before going out on the water, take steps to make the outing safe and enjoyable.

A vessel’s length class determines the equipment necessary to comply with federal and state laws.
Vessels are divided into length classes:
• Class A: Less than 16 feet
• Class 1: 16 feet to less than 26 feet
• Class 2: 26 feet to less than 40 feet
• Class 3: 40 feet and over
Length is measured from the tip of the bow in a straight line to the stern. This does not include outboard motors, brackets, rudders, bow attachments, or swim platforms and ladders that are not a molded part of the hull.

Fueling a Vessel
Never fuel at night unless it is an emergency. If you must refuel after dark, use only electric lights. Try to refuel away from the water or on a commercial fueling ramp.

Before beginning to fuel:

• Dock the boat securely and ask all passengers to exit.
• Do not allow anyone to smoke or strike a match.
• Check all fuel lines, connections, and fuel vents.
• Turn off anything that might cause a spark—engines, fans, or electrical equipment.
• Shut off all fuel valves and extinguish all open flames, such as galley stoves and pilot lights.
• Close all windows, ports, doors, and other openings to prevent fumes from entering the boat.
• Remove portable fuel tanks and fill them on the dock.

While filling the fuel tank:

The most important safe fueling practice …If your vessel is equipped with a power ventilation system, turn it on for at least four minutes after fueling and before starting your engine to remove gas vapors in the bilge

After fueling:

• Wipe up any spilled fuel.
• Open all windows, ports, doors, and other openings.

Additional Safety Procedures for PWCs
Do not tip the PWC in order to fill it all the way up. If the tank is overfilled, the fuel may expand and spill into the water. After fueling, open the door of the engine compartment and sniff to check for any evidence of gas fumes. Do this before starting the engine. If  you do smell gas fumes, determine the source and make repairs immediately.

Fuel Selector Switch on a PWC
This switch can help you avoid becoming stranded without fuel.
Use the “Off” position when the PWC’s engine is turned off. Use the “On” position while you are underway. Use the “Reserve” position if you run out of fuel while underway. This will allow you to return to shore. Don’t forget to switch back to “On” after refueling.

• Store your vessel and trailer in a locked garage or storage area.
• Park another vehicle in front of the trailer, or lock the trailer to a fixed object in a well-lighted area.
• Secure the vessel and trailer to a fixed object with a good quality chain and lock. If moored, secure the vessel to the dock with a steel cable and lock.
• Remove a trailer wheel if parked for an extended time.
• Purchase a good quality trailer hitch lock and use it.
• Chain and lock the motor and fuel tanks to the vessel.
• Mark or engrave all equipment with an identifier such as your driver’s license number.
• Photograph or videotape the interior and exterior of your vessel, showing all installed equipment and additional gear and equipment.
• Make a complete inventory of your equipment, vessel, and trailer.
•Remove expensive electronics or other valuables if the vessel is left unattended.
•Cover your vessel and always remove the keys.
• Title and register your vessel.

Before going out on a vessel, it is always a good idea to leave a float plan with a relative or friend. A float plan should:
Describe the vessel, including its registration number, length, make, horsepower, and engine type. State where you are going, the detailed route, and your expected return time. Give the name, address, and telephone number of each person on board and a contact in case of emergency.

You can help assure a good time while operating your vessel by performing this pre-departure check.
•Check the weather forecast for the area and timeframe during which you will be boating.
•Make sure that the steering and throttle controls operate properly and all lights are working properly.
•Check for any fuel leaks from the tank, fuel lines, and carburetor. Check the engine compartment for oil leaks.
•Check hose connections for leaks or cracks, and make sure hose clamps are tight.
•Drain all water from the engine compartment, and be sure the bilge plug is replaced and secure.
•Check to be sure you have a fully charged engine battery and fire extinguishers.
• If so equipped, make sure the ignition safety switch and wrist lanyard are in good order.
•Make sure you have the required number of personal flotation devices (PFDs), and check that they are in good condition and the proper sizes.
•Leave a float plan with a reliable friend or relative.

Even though no vessel has the “right-of-way” over another vessel, there are some rules that every operator should follow when encountering other vessels. It is the responsibility of both operators to take whatever action is needed to avoid a collision. The next page shows what to do when encountering another vessel.

When operating a power-driven vessel, you must give way to:
• Any vessel not under command, such as an anchored or disabled vessel
• Any vessel restricted in its ability to maneuver, such as a vessel towing another or laying cable, or one constrained by its draft, such as a large ship in a channel
• A vessel engaged in commercial fishing
• A sailboat under sail unless it is overtaking
•When operating a vessel under sail, you must give way to:
• Any vessel not under command
• Any vessel restricted in its ability to maneuver
• A vessel engaged in commercial fishing

• Practice good seamanship. • Keep a sharp lookout. •Maintain a safe speed and distance.

Two terms help explain these navigation rules.
• Stand-on vessel: The vessel that should maintain its course and speed
• Give-way vessel: The vessel that must take early and substantial action to avoid collision by stopping, slowing down, or changing course

Boating Basics Nighttime Navigation
Be on the lookout for the lights of other vessels when boating at night. Several types of lights serve as navigational aids at night. There are four common navigation lights.

Sidelights: These red and green lights are called sidelights (also called combination lights) because they are visible to another vessel approaching from the side or head-on. The red light indicates a vessel’s port (left) side; the green indicates a vessel’s starboard (right) side.

 Sternlight: This white light is seen from behind the vessel.

Masthead Light: This white light shines forward and to both sides and is required on all power-driven vessels. A masthead light must be displayed by all sailboats when under engine power. The absence of this light indicates a sailboat under sail.

 All-Round White Light: On power-driven vessels less than 39.4 feet in length, this light may be used to combine a masthead light and stern light into a single white light that can be seen by other vessels from any direction. This light serves as an anchor light when sidelights are extinguished.

 Boating Basics U.S. Aids to Navigation System (ATON)

Lateral Markers These navigation aids mark the edges of safe water areas; for example, directing travel within a channel. The markers use a combination of colors and numbers, which may appear either on buoys or permanently placed markers.

Non-Lateral Markers Non-lateral markers are navigational aids that give information other than the edges of safe water areas. The most common are regulatory markers which are white and use orange markings and black lettering. These markers are found on the lakes and rivers of Missouri.

Red Right Returning is a reminder of the correct course when returning from open waters or heading upstream

Information Squares indicate where to find food, supplies, repairs, etc. and give directions and other information.

Controlled Circles indicate a controlled area such as speed limit, no fishing or anchoring, ski only or no skiing, or “slow, no wake.”

Prohibited (Boats Keep Out) Crossed diamonds indicate areas off-limits to all vessels such as swimming areas, dams, and spillways.

Danger Diamonds warn of dangers such as rocks, shoals, construction, dams, or stumps. Always proceed with caution.

20 Boating Basics Weather Emergencies

 Prepare the boat to handle severe weather.

 Prepare your passengers for severe weather.

Decide whether to go to shore or ride out the storm.

• If possible, head for the nearest shore that is safe to approach. If already caught in a storm, it may be best to ride it out in open water rather than try to approach the shore in heavy wind and waves.
• Head the bow into the waves at a 45-degree angle. PWCs should head directly into the waves.
• If the engine stops, drop a “sea anchor” on a line off the bow to keep the bow headed into the wind and reduce drifting while you ride out the storm.

162.550 MHz Camdenton, Kansas City, Osage Beach, St. Louis

 To prevent persons from falling overboard:

 If someone on your boat falls overboard:

• Reduce speed and toss the victim a throwable PFD.
• Turn your boat around and slowly pull alongside the victim, approaching the victim from downwind or into the current, whichever is stronger.
• Turn off the engine. Pull the victim on board over the stern, keeping the weight in the boat balanced.

Channel 6 Internship safety communications.
Channel 9 Communications between vessels (commercial and recreational), and ship to coast.
Channel 13 Navigational use by commercial, military, and recreational vessels at bridges, locks, and harbors.
Channel 16 Distress and safety calls to U.S. Coast Guard and others, and to initiate calls to other vessels.
Channel 22 Communications between the U.S. Coast Guard and the public. Severe weather warnings, hazards to navigation, and other safety warnings are broadcast on this channel.
Channels 24-28 Public telephone calls (to marine operator).
Channels 68, 69, and 71 Recreational vessel radio channels and ship to coast.

 Capsizing or Swamping

To reduce the risk of capsizing or swamping:

If you capsize or swamp your boat, or if you have fallen overboard and can’t get back in:

If the boat sinks or floats away, don’t panic.

 If you are boating in cold water:

To reduce the effects of hypothermia:

• Put on a PFD if not wearing one. It helps you to float without excessive movement and insulates your body.
• Remember the importance of reboarding your vessel—get as much of your body out of the water as possible.
• Don’t take your clothes off unless necessary—clothes can help you float and provide insulation.
• Don’t thrash or move about. Excess motion consumes energy and increases loss of body heat.
• Draw your knees to your chest and your arms to your sides, protecting the major areas of heat loss.
• If others are in the water with you, huddle together with your arms around their shoulders. These huddles are good for the morale of those in the water. Also, rescuers can spot a group easier than individuals.

Most manufacturers have placed a decal at the rear or bottom of the craft that indicates the direction to roll your PWC to return it to an upright position. If no decal exists, check your owner’s manual or ask the dealer. If you roll it over the wrong way, you could damage your PWC.

Avoid causing erosion by operating at slow speed and by not creating a wake when operating near shore or in narrow streams or rivers.