Boating Safety, Fueling and Safe Speed

Loading Pleasure Craft for Safety

To avoid impeding the operation and to decrease the risk of injury and increase the safety of all persons on board, the operator of the craft:

* Should not overload the craft, in excess of the "Recommended Gross Load Capacity" or the "equivalent number of adult persons"

* Position the persons on board and the gear so as to evenly distribute the weight: too much weight in the bow makes the craft plow through the water with a risk of swamping; too much weight in the stern, raises the bow which wastes power and makes it difficult to see

* Keep the load as low as possible on the craft

* Lash the gear, or stow the gear in lockers to prevent uncontrolled movement of the gear



Inform Persons on Board

The operator of a pleasure craft should inform persons on board about the following safety points

# The location of personal flotation devices and/or life-jackets;

# The techniques for putting on personal flotation devices and/or life-jackets when in the water;

# The importance of wearing personal flotation devices and/or life-jackets at all times;

# The location of the emergency kit;

# The importance of keeping oneself low, on the center line, and holding on to a rigid part of the pleasure craft while moving around on board;

# The importance of keeping one's hands, arms and legs inside the pleasure craft when approaching or leaving a dock;

# The effects of the motion of the pleasure craft, sunlight, waves, wind, sound and alcohol on them; and

# Their roles in the event of emergencies


Be Aware of Fueling Procedures

Follow these procedures, step by step, when refueling. It only makes good sense, it's the law.

# Moor the boat securely to prevent spillage

# Shut off all engines

# Insist that all passengers go ashore

# Extinguish all open flames

# Do not smoke while refueling

# Turn off electrical switches and batteries, and refrain from operating electrical devices

# Close all windows, portholes, hatches and cabin doors

# Remove portable tanks from the boat before refueling

# Ground the nozzle against the filler pipe

# Know the capacity of your fuel tank and don't overfill it; you have a duty to prevent leakage or spillage or fuel into the hull or water

# Wipe up any spillage and properly dispose of the cloth or towel used

# Operate the engine compartment blower for at least 4 minutes immediately before starting up the gasoline engine

# Check for vapour odors (before starting up the engine).


Fuel Safety Precautions

Any enclosed space that contains fuel-burning engines or appliances should be well ventilated. In addition to the fire hazard, fuel-burning apparatus can pose an unseen threat - Carbon Monoxide, a colorless, odorless gas, can build up undetected below deck. If your boat has accommodations and is fitted with an inboard engine, generator or fuel-burning appliances, install a Carbon Monoxide Detector close to where people will be sleeping.

Engine Start UP

Enclosed gasoline engine and fuel tank compartments must be fitted with a blower and an under way ventilation system in accordance with the Construction Standards for Small Vessels. New provision of The Small Vessels Regulation require "The Blower to Be Operated For At Least FOUR (4) MINUTES Immediately BEFORE Every Start-Up" if your boat is so equipped.

Fuel-Burning Appliances

While on your boat, you must attend to an open flame heating, cooking or refrigeration system that uses gaseous fuel. Gas fumes and leaking propane or butane are all heavier than air and will flow rapidly into the lower parts of the boat. These substances are extremely difficult to remove and are highly explosive.

Adequate ventilation is a must for gas-burning appliances with a pilot light. Also, any portable cooking or heating appliance should be secured to guard against leakage due to any unexpected movement of the vessel. Be sure that the fuel-burning equipment installation is in accordance with the manufacturer's recommended practices.

Safe Speed

It is very important to slow down in bad weather and to adopt a safe speed, described as one that allows proper and effective action to be taken to decrease the risk of causing injuries or loss of life to persons on board.

A boat travelling at high speed requires increased stopping distance and gives the operator less time to react to an emergency. High speed also requires the operator to be more attentive because of the time required to react to changing conditions.


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