AY Honors/Power Boating/Answer Key

1. Have the Advanced Beginner’s Level of the Swimming Honor.

For tips and instruction see [[AY Honors/Swimming - Advanced Beginner|]].

2. Know the laws regulating pleasure boating in your state or province.

A summary of the boating laws for Australia, all U.S. States and Territories, and all Canadian Provinces can be found at the NASBLA website.

5. Know what safety equipment, signaling devices, and lights are required on Class A and Class 1 boats.

These regulations vary by country, size of boat, and change from time to time. In Canada the regulations for Sail and Power Boats over 9 m and up to 12 m (29’6” – 39’4”) at the time this question was answered are as an example. Be sure you know the requirements for where you are operating a given size boat:

PERSONAL LIFESAVING APPLIANCES

1. One (1) lifejacket or PFD for each person on board 2. One (1) reboarding device (See Note 1) 3. One (1) buoyant heaving line at least 15 m (49’3”) long 4. One (1) lifebuoy attached to a buoyant line at least 15 m (49’3”) long

VISUAL SIGNALS 5. One (1) watertight flashlight 6. Twelve (12) flares of type A, B, C or D, not more than six (6) of which are of type D (See Note 2)

VESSEL SAFETY EQUIPMENT 7. One (1) anchor and at least 30 m (98’5”) of cable, rope or chain in any combination 8. One (1) manual bilge pump (See Note 3) OR Bilge-pumping arrangements

NAVIGATION EQUIPMENT 9. One (1) sound-signalling device or appliance 10. Navigation lights (See Note 4) 11. One (1) magnetic compass (See Note 5) 12. One (1) radar reflector (See Note 6)

FIRE FIGHTING EQUIPMENT 13. One (1) 10BC fire extinguisher if equipped with a motor 14. One (1) 10BC fire extinguisher if equipped with a fuel-burning cooking, heating or refrigerating appliance

Note 1 – Reboarding Device A reboarding device is only required if the vertical height that a person must climb to reboard the boat from the water (freeboard) is over 0.5 m (1’8”).

Note 2 – Flares Flares are not required for a boat that: • is operating on a river, canal or lake in which it can never be more than one (1) nautical mile (1.852 km) from shore; or • has no sleeping quarters and is engaged in an official competition or in final preparation for an official competition.

Note 3 – Bailer and Manual Bilge Pump A bailer or manual bilge pump is not required for a boat that cannot hold enough water to make it capsize or a boat that has watertight compartments that are sealed and not readily accessible.

Note 4 – Navigation Lights Navigation lights are only required if you operate the boat after sunset, before sunrise or in periods of restricted visibility (fog, falling snow, etc.).

Note 5 – Magnetic Compass A magnetic compass is not required if the boat is 8 m (26’3”) or less and you operate it within sight of navigation marks.

Note 6 – Radar Reflector Radar reflectors are required for boats under 20 m (65’7”) and boats built of mostly non-metallic materials. A radar reflector is not required if: • the boat is used in limited traffic conditions, daylight and favourable environmental conditions, and where having a radar reflector is not essential to the boat’s safety; or • the small size of the boat or its operation away from radar navigation makes it impossible to install or use a radar reflector.

Larger boats require additional equipment and smaller boats require less equipment.

Radar Reflectors help larger vessels to see small boats on their radar screens, and may be the only way that they will be able to spot you. A radar reflector can enhance your safety on the water, but only if it is big enough and well placed on your boat. When buying a reflector, there is no substitute for size – so buy the biggest one that will fit your boat. There are all kinds of reflectors of varying quality on the market, so make sure you look carefully before buying. Keep in mind that placement height is also very important. Reflectors should be located above all superstructures; and at least 4 m (13’1”) above the water, if possible.

Do you know that different types of fires require different types of extinguishers? The letters on a fire extinguisher tell you what types of fires it is designed to fight. Fires are classified as follows: • Class A: Materials that burn, such as wood, cloth, paper, rubber and plastic • Class B: Liquids that burn, such as gas, oil and grease • Class C: Electrical equipment

You should buy a fire extinguisher with an ABC rating. The number before the letters on the extinguisher tells you how big a fire it will put out compared to other extinguishers. For example, a 10BC device will put out a larger fire than a 5BC device. Check your extinguishers often for correct operating pressure and make sure that you and your guests know how to use them. Have a qualified person maintain, service and recharge your extinguishers as per the manufacturer’s instructions. Take dry chemical devices out of their bracket and give them a few hard shakes in the upside down position about once a month to keep the contents active.

The fire extinguisher you choose must bear a mark that shows it is certified by: • Underwriters Laboratories of Canada (ULC); • Underwriters’ Laboratories Inc. (UL); or • Unites States Coast Guard.

References

Singificant portions of these answers are from http://www.tc.gc.ca/publications/EN/TP511/PDF%5CHR/TP511E.pdf and are used here for non-commercial purposes with permission.