You should always have at least a second person on board before you leave the dock.
Make sure your first mate is capable of handling your boat if you become incapacitated. The first mate needs to know how to start the drivers, how to operate a VHS radio, where the life jackets are, where the fire extinguishers are and how to use them, which switches turn on the running lights, horn, bilge pumps, etc.
The person also should know how to anchor the boat and how to raise the anchor. He or she should be knowledgeable in knot tying, line handling, using a boathook, fenders, navigation and what to do in an emergency scenario and the importance of communication between captain and crew.
Recently a captain went overboard in the gulf. There was another person on board who did not know how to start the boat or to run it. The person in the water was being carried away from the boat by the tide. Although he tried to call instructions to the person on board, that person was not able to start the boat or assist the person in the water resulting in the captain being overcome by exhaustion and drowning before help could arrive.
Most children are able to start a car or boat and engage it in forward or reverse to overtake someone in the water. Children should also be educated in radio procedures. Should your child ever need to use the radio, they will know what to do. Both the Coast Guard and others who listen to Channel 16 will hear and respond to an emergency situation.
What happens if you are taking on water? Is it from a through-the-hull fitting? Is everyone knowledgeable on how to close the valve to stop water from coming in? The valve level is open when it is in line with the hose or the valve going through the hull. To close it you only need to turn the handle crossway to the valve. Is everyone on board or at least the first mate able to call in a Mayday or Pan-Pan (pronounced pahn-pahn) to the Coast Guard on Channel 16? Can they tell the Coast Guard or towing service their location? If you have a GPS turned on, the screen should give your location in latitude and longitude.
In foul weather the first mate can be a sharp eye for other vessels or hazards in your path. In mot cases you will need assistance in anchoring or docking your vessel. This can be tricky in wind, tide or high seas. He must understand which lines to handle in different conditions. The wrong end tied up first can swing your boat around 180 degrees and could damage your boat or others in tight maneuver areas.
For more details about safe boating and safe boat courses, contact the Cape Coral Power Squadron, 917 S.E. 47th Terrace. The squadron is open from 9 a.m. to noon Monday through Saturday. The number is 549-9754.
Wayne and Joan Church are Cape Coral Power Squadron members.