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• Determine amount of damage to boat structure.
• Call for assistance
• In the event of collision you are required
to file an accident report. Contact a state
enforcement agency or the nearest USCG
office. If you are boating outside U.S. waters,
consult the nation you are visiting for
accident reporting requirements.
Propulsion, Control or Steering Failure
If there is a propulsion, control or steering failure:
• Stop the engine, (shut off at ignition or pull on
the emergency engine shut-off switch).
• Drop anchor outside of the channel, if possible,
to prevent drifting.
• Determine if the problem can be fixed or will
assistance be needed.
• Call for assistance if needed.
When loss of propulsion or steering is noticed, your
quick reaction is required to prevent further damage
to your boat or injuries to your passengers.
Outboard engines require propulsion to control the
direction the boat will take. Without propulsion, the
steering is virtually useless. If you are in a congested
waterway you will need to react quickly to warn
others that you have lost power, propulsion or
steering control and that assistance will be needed.
Grounding
Running aground may be avoided by paying attention
to marker buoys or indicated by waves as they form
into breakers when passing over a sand bar. If you
do run aground, the course of action depends on
how hard the boat hits bottom and whether the boat
remains stranded. If it is a simple touch, you may
need only to inspect the lower drive of the engine
and the hull of the boat. If possible do a thorough
inspection before trying to get loose; reversing your
boat before this is done may cause more damage.
1-10
Chapter 1 • Safety
Distress Signals
Visual Distress Signals (VDS)
•
USCG regulations require boats in coastal
waters and the Great Lakes to carry a signal
(VDS) for day and night use, as well as
appropriate for the time of operation. Exempt
from the day signals requirement, but not night
signals, are boats less than 16 feet (4.8 meters),
open sailboats less than 26 feet (7.9 meters)
boats participating in organized events and
manually propelled boats.
•
If you are required to have visual distress
signals, at least three safety approved
pyrotechnic devices in serviceable condition
must be readily accessible. They must be
marked with a date showing the service life
which must not be expired.
•
Carry three signals for day use and three for
night. Some pyrotechnic devices meet both
day and night use requirements.
•
Store pyrotechnic signals in a cool, dry
location. Prominently mark an orange or red
watertight container distress signals.
Other recognized visual distress signals include:
•
Flames in a bucket
•
Code flags November and Charlie
•
Black ball/square on orange background.
•
Orange flag (certified)
•
Electric distress light (certified) for night use
•
Dye marker (any color)
•
Person waving arms (slowly)
•
U.S. flag flown upside down
Audible Distress Signals, (ADS)
USCG regulations require one hand, mouth or power
operated whistle or horn, audible for at least 1/2 mile.
Other recognized audible distress signals include:
• Radio communications
• Radio-telegraph alarm
• Position indicating radio beacon
• Morse code S-O-S (3 short 3 long 3 short)
sounded by any means.
• Fog horn sounded continuously.
R R
280 Dauntless
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