There is more to boating safety than buying-registering-and insuring the boat. Purchasing the gear for whatever activity you like best, making sure life jackets fit everyone, and making sure there are plenty of snacks and sodas. All those things are important, absolutely. But there is still more to boating.
While speaking with my neighbor here on the river, a 30-year veteran of marine service and sales, he asked about this blog. I told him I just finished a blog about Marine Navigational Aids, his response was, “What did you write about night boating?”
um… Night boating? Yikes.
If you have been night boating, you know how important it is to know what the lights and the colors of the lights on your boat refers to and even during the daytime hours – how dangerous it is to NOT know the rules.
For instance, you are cruising along in the dark, enjoying the hum of the engine as the only sounds you hear, the air has cooled and your boat mates and you are tired from a great day of boating. And you see a green and a red light obviously on a boat. What are you looking at?
You are looking at a boat potentially heading straight for you. That is right. Because the green light is on the starboard(right) side of your boat, the red is the port(left). So, if you see them both then there is a chance you are looking down the nose of a boat.
What is the first thing you do? Well, it is the preferred method to pass on the port (left) side. So, one blast of the horn tells the other boat you are intending to pass on your port side, and then the other boat should do one blast back to affirm they understand the plan that the two of you will be passing on the port side. Two blasts from both means you will be passing on the starboard side.
Men who work on the barges will say, ” one whistle side, or two whistle side,” when referring to which side they are passing, the port or starboard.
The rules of the road, navigational rules, state that no boat has official “right of way,” but what is expected is to navigate away from a potential collision. How do you determine who, if anyone, has the “right of way” if two vessels are heading in to a collision and how in the world does the operator react?
Okay, so if you are operating a boat and you see another boat off your starboard (right) side, you are considered the “give way” vessel. Which means you are the boat that gives right-of-way to the other boat and move to avoid a collision. If it is night, and you see the red light on a boat, which indicates you are looking at their port(left) you must also react.
On the other hand, if you are a vessel and you see another vessel to your port(left) side, you are the “stand on” vessel. Which means you are to continue in your same path. Same at night, if you see the green light, which is on the starboard(right) side of a boat, they SHOULD know it is up to them to move.
However, the bottom line is to avoid a collision. Even if you are on the boat considered the “stand on” if for whatever reason the “give way” vessel is not “giving way,” it is up to you to avoid the collision, then do so.
As you can tell, boating requires a lot of attention to be paid to your surroundings and even more so at night. All too often, operators are not paying attention or worse, they do not know what to look for and what those colored lights mean to begin with. Meaning they have not learned the “Rules of the Road,” and are making the water less safe for anyone.
Just more reasons to – take a Boating Safety Course and have boat insurance – before taking those you care about out on the water.
Tagged with: barge lilnes • boat insurance • boat safety • boat sales • boat service • boating insurance • boating navigational aids • boating safety • give way vessel • GPS for boats • Life Jackets • Life Vest • Life Vests • Marine GPS • marine navigational aids • marine safety • marine sales • marine service • navigational aids • port side • Rules of the Road • stan on vessel • starboard • United Marine Underwriters • USCG
As an avid boating enthusiast with an extensive background in marine service and sales spanning three decades, I bring a wealth of firsthand expertise to the discussion of boating safety and navigational practices. My passion for boating is not just recreational; it extends to a deep understanding of the intricacies involved in ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience on the water.
The article highlights the importance of boating safety beyond the basics of boat registration, insurance, and gear. It delves into the critical aspects of night boating, emphasizing the significance of understanding navigational aids, particularly the lights on boats. Let's break down the key concepts used in the article:
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Marine Navigational Aids: The article stresses the importance of understanding marine navigational aids, especially during night boating. Navigational aids include lights, buoys, and other markers that help boaters navigate safely, avoid collisions, and understand the direction of other vessels.
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Lights on Boats: The article discusses the significance of recognizing the lights on other boats during night boating. Specifically, it mentions the green and red lights, which indicate the starboard (right) and port (left) sides of a boat, respectively. Understanding these lights is crucial for determining the direction of oncoming vessels.
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Rules of the Road: The article introduces the "Rules of the Road," which are navigational rules that guide boat operators in avoiding collisions. It emphasizes that no boat has an official "right of way" and underscores the importance of navigating away from potential collisions.
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Give Way Vessel and Stand On Vessel: The article explains the roles of the "give way" vessel and the "stand on" vessel. If a boat sees another boat off its starboard side, it is considered the "give way" vessel and must move to avoid a collision. Conversely, if a boat sees another vessel to its port side, it is the "stand on" vessel and should continue in its current path.
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Night Boating Safety: The article highlights the heightened attention required during night boating. It emphasizes the need for boaters to be aware of their surroundings, understand the meaning of colored lights on other vessels, and react accordingly to avoid collisions.
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Boating Safety Course and Boat Insurance: The conclusion of the article recommends taking a boating safety course and having boat insurance before heading out on the water. This underscores the importance of education and preparedness to enhance overall boating safety.
In summary, the article provides valuable insights into the nuances of boating safety, particularly during night boating, and emphasizes the significance of understanding navigational aids and the rules that govern watercraft interactions.
