boating safety & water sports

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DISCLAIMER:This is not an official guide. Operator’s permit education materials can be obtained from the DNR, and sheriff’s offices. These rules and regulations were found in the 2012 Minnesota Boating Guide provided by the DNR. All participants must understand that water-sports of any nature can be a dangerous activity. Indulge at your own risk.

• Many accidents encountered while boating, can simply be avoided by using….

Water Recreation

• Many accidents encountered while boating, can simply be avoided by using

Water Recreation

COMMONSENSE!

• Spending time on the lake can be some of the most fun with friends

• Spending time on the lake can be some of the most fun with friends

• This slide share will provide useful, up to date boating safety tips concerning recreational and watersport boaters

• LIFE JACKETS!– PFD type I, II, III, IV, V

Safety Equipment

• PFD (life jacket)LAW:On all boats, regardless of length

there MUST be a readily accessible U.S. Coast Guard approved Type I, II, III or V

wearable PFD for each person on board.

Safety Equipment

• PFD (life jacket)LAW:On boats 16 feet or longer there must also be at least one U.S.

Coast Guard approved Type IV throw able device, such as a buoyant cushion or ring buoy immediately available for each boat.

Safety Equipment

PFD’s

PFD’s

PFD’s

PFD’s

PFD’s

PFD’s

• “… law does not state that PFDs must be worn on watercraft, only that

they are readily accessible”

*except on jet skis (PWC) & children under 10

PFD’s

• Other Exceptions:– A U.S. Coast Guard approved PFD

MUST be worn by a person being towed on water skis or other device, or carried in the towing watercraft.

NOTICE!

Towing Safety Requirements

• Wear a Life Jacket

• Use a Spotter

Spotters• “It is unlawful to tow a person on

water skis, wakeboard, tube, or similar device unless there is a

mirror providing the operator a wide field of vision to the rear, or

unless another person in

the towing watercraft is continuously observing the person being towed”

NOTICE!

Towing Safety Requirements

• Wear a Life Jacket

• Use a Spotter

• Time of Day

Time of Day

• LAW: Water skiing, tubing and similar acts are prohibited between one hour after sunset to sunrise of the following day.

Time of Day

• Easy Riding: The easiest time to board or ski is right away in the morning, or at night, when the water is calmest.

Towing Safety Requirements

• Wear a Life Jacket

• Use a Spotter

• Time of Day

• Rope Length

Rope Length

• LAW: Tow ropes may not be longer than 150 feet in length, unless a permit is obtained from the county sheriff.

Rope Length

• Easy Riding: Using a shorter rope can make it easier for beginners to get up and out of the water. Recommended between 35-60 feet, based on preference.

Towing Safety Requirements

• Wear a Life Jacket

• Use a Spotter

• Time of Day

• Rope Length

Water Tubing

Water Tubing

• Similar to a clock’s pendulum, riders do not have the directional control that water skiers have. The boat operator needs to take special precautions.

Water Tubing

Increasing injuries occur many ways including…

Tubes swinging out as a boat turns - hitting an object or throwing the occupant off.

Towing Speed

• Make sure the Driver is alert and aware of his towing speed

Towing Speed

• Make sure the Driver is alert and aware of his towing speed

• CAUTION: Jet-skis can ramp up to 70mph in seconds!

Towing Speed

• Make sure the Driver is alert and aware of his towing speed

• CAUTION: Jet-skis can ramp up to 70mph in seconds!

• Safe towing speed depends on the riders preference. Between (10-25mph)

Boating While Intoxicated

• LAW: The alcohol concentration for impaired operation is .08

Boating While Intoxicated

• The BWI law does not prohibit drinking alcoholic beverages aboard boats nor having an open bottle.

Boating While Intoxicated

• The law applies to operators of motorboats that are not anchored, beached, moored, docked or being rowed or propelled by non-mechanical means at the time of the offense.

Reminder of General Prohibitions

It is against the law to…• To operate a watercraft so

its wash or wake endangers, harasses, or interferes with any

person or property.

Reminder of General Prohibitions

It is against the law to… • To operate a watercraft within an area legally marked off as a swimming

area, or within 150 feet of a diver’s warning flag

Reminder of General Prohibitions

It is against the law to…• To ride or sit on the

gunwales, bow, transom, of any motorboat while underway, unless it is equipped with an adequate railing.

Reminder of General Prohibitions

It is against the law to… • To chase wildlife with a motorboat, or operate a boat where it is prohibited – including marked spawning beds. Avoid traversing any emergent or floating vegetation, if possible.

Special Events

• Persons holding regattas, races, tournaments, or other competition or exhibition events on the water must first obtain a permit for the event from the county sheriff.

Age of OperationNo Restriction(25 HP or less)

*May vary by location*

Age of Operation25-75 HP

Under 12 Years Old(with adult over 21 present)

*May vary by location*

*May vary by location*

Age of Operation25+ HP

(12- 17 Years Old)

with adult over 21 presentOR

alone with watercraft operator permit

*May vary by location*

Watercraft Operator Permit

• If you do not have a certificate from your state you may obtain one by successfully completing the DNR’s home study boating course.

Remember…

Remember…

• Many accidents encountered while boating, can simply be avoided by using

COMMONSENSE!

Remember…

• Wear a life jacket

Remember…

• Wear a life jacket• Watch the weather

Remember…

• Wear a life jacket• Watch the weather

• Collisions with a second boat or another object don’t just happen. They are usually the result of inattention, fatigue, and a lack of knowledge about local water conditions

Remember…

• Wear a life jacket• Watch the weather

• Collisions with a second boat or another object don’t just happen. They are usually the result of inattention, fatigue, and a lack of knowledge about local water conditions

• If someone is in trouble in the water, use elementary rescue methods first, such as throwing something that floats to the victim.

Only as a last resort should you ever enter the water to save someone.

Images Used• [Slide 1]. Retrieved October 1st 2012 from: http://www.boat-ed.com/

• [Slide 4 & 52]. Retrieved October 1st 2012 from: http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/safety/boatwater/index.html

• [Slide 5-6]. Retrieved October 1st 2012 from: http://www.paulstravelpictures.com/Copper-Canyon-Lake-Havasu-San-Bernardino-CA/Copper-Canyon-Boat-Party-Lake-Havasu-009.JPG

• [Slide 7-8]. Retrieved October 1st 2012 from: http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/safety/boatwater/index.html

• [Slide 9]. Retrieved October 1st 2012 from: http://www.boat-ed.com/

• [Slide 10-16]. Retrieved October 1st 2012 from: http://fishandboat.com/boatcrs/03boathandbook/chap2_06_pfd.htm

• [Slide 17 & 20]. Retrieved October 1st 2012 from: http://markhancock.blogspot.com/2006_06_01_archive.html

• [Slide 21 &24& 27]. Retrieved October 1st 2012 from: http://submissions.detroitnews.com/submissions/wakeboarding-on-lake-fenton-2/

• [Slide 22]. Retrieved October 1st 2012 from:

http://www.flickriver.com/groups/starcircleacademy/pool/interesting/• [Slide 23]. Retrieved October 1st 2012 from:

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xoQKYtUFy_U/T7qv-zS8jtI/AAAAAAAAI8U/_RhXaA5xdcc/s1600/Bodie+%2526+Mono+Lake%252C+June+Lake+175.JPG

• [Slide 26-27]. Retrieved October 1st 2012 from: http://wakeboardingmag.com/category/photos/

• [Slide 28]. Retrieved October 1st 2012 from: http://www.flickr.com/photos/11689106@N04/3512966828/

• [Slide 30]. Retrieved October 1st 2012 from: http://www.flickr.com/photos/11689106@N04/3512966828/

• [slide 32-33]. Retrieved October 1st 2012 from: http://www.atlanticcitynj.com/mediaonline/image_library_all.aspx?Code=RECREATION

• [Slide 36-39]. Retrieved October 1st 2012 from: http://www.boat-ed.com/

• [Slide 40]. Retrieved October 1st 2012 from:

http://www.noozhawk.com/article/121109_outdoors_qa_can_waterfowl_hunters_get_a_little_help/

• [Slide 41]. Retrieved October 1st 2012 from:

http://wakeboardingmag.com/category/photos/