Washington State Safe Boating Course

CHAPTER 5: Safe Boat Operation

5.1 OPERATOR RESPONSIBILITIES

Ultimately, the boat operator is responsible for the safety and activity of all passengers. Additionally, the boat operator must respect other boaters and property. Before casting off, the operator should:

Complete a pre-departure checklist to avoid emergencies later
Ensure the vessel is cared for, is in good working order, and is seaworthy
Ensure all passengers are properly seated and comfortable with the safety equipment and procedures in case of emergency
File a float plan, particularly for lengthy trips or those in unfamiliar waters
Check local hazards
Check local weather forecast and conditions

If a law enforcement officer makes a request for a boater to stop their vessel it is the boater's responsibility to comply. Boaters are required to respond to any law enforcement officer to stop his or her boat when asked to do so by said officer. It is illegal to elude law enforcement officers.

An operator of a vessel is required to stop when requested or signaled to do so by a person reasonably identifiable as a law enforcement officer. An operator of a vessel is required to immediately stop a vessel if operating in a reckless manner and is attempting to elude a pursuing law enforcement vessel after being given a visual or audible signal to stop the vessel.

5.1.1 AGE RESTRICTIONS

No person under the age of 12 can operate a motorized vessel of 15 horsepower or greater.

Similarly, no person under the age of 14 may operate a personal watercraft (PWC). In addition in order to rent a PWC a person must be at least 16 years of age.

5.1.2 NO WAKE

"No wake" is defined as "The slowest possible speed required in order to maintain steerage and headway."

In Washington, it is unlawful to operate at greater than 'no wake' speed when around gas docks, marinas, boat ramps, and people in the water even if not marked by a regulatory marker.

You may be held responsible for damage caused by vessel wake or wash resulting from negligent or careless operation of a vessel.

5.1.3 COURTESY

Other boaters and property owners wish to enjoy the water as well. As a courtesy to other boaters, swimmers and property owners, be sure to monitor your wake, noise level and boat speed around other boats and shoreline properties. You are responsible for any damage caused by your wake. Be sure to take the time to review proper safety and operation procedures if you let someone else operate your boat. Be particularly mindful of your boat noise in the early morning and late evening. Leave the water as you found it: clean up any waste you encounter and be sure to collect any of your own waste in a garbage bag and dispose of it properly once you get to shore.

5.1.4 SLACKEN SPEED

Operators in Washington must reduce speed to avoid endangering persons or property from the effect of their vessel's wake. Reduce speed when approaching or passing the following:

Vessels underway, lying to, at anchor, or made fast to the shore
Piers, docks, or boathouses
Someone in the water
Someone involved in towed water sports or on a surfboard

In the state of Washington, speed limits and zoned or restricted areas are determined by local ordinance. Become familiar with your local ordinances by talking with your sheriff's office marine patrol or with your local police department marine patrol. Examples are no wake zones, danger zones, and speed limit zones.

5.1.5 MUFFLERS AND NOISE LEVELS

In Washington, complaints from homeowners with property adjacent or close to bodies of water used for recreational boating have led to a state law requiring strict sound levels on boats.

All motor-propelled vessels shall be equipped with and maintained with an effective muffler or underwater exhaust system that is in good working order and in constant use.

No person may operate a boat on the waters of this state in a manner to exceed a noise level of seventy-five decibels measured from any point on the shoreline of the body of water on which the vessel is being operated.

When using a stationary testing procedure an effective muffler shall not produce sound levels in excess of:

90 decibels for engines made before January 1, 1994: and,
88 decibels for engines made on or after January 1, 1994.

5.1.6 NEGLIGENCE

Any type of boating vessel demands an operator's respect and attention. Careless or reckless behavior aboard any vessel can result in dangerous consequences. A boat is not a toy. Enjoy your boating experience, but be mindful of the power of many vessels and the inherent dangers that water presents.

5.1.7 UNSAFE PRACTICES

The following acts and maneuvers are considered dangerous & illegal while boating in Washington:

Unsafe Operation. It is illegal to operate a boat in a manner that endangers or would likely endanger a person or property and in willful disregard of others. The following are a few examples:

Endangering others or their property, by allowing the wake of your vessel to potentially harm another or their property.
Jumping the wake of a vessel unnecessarily close to another vessel.
Failing to conform to boating signage such as posted speeds, indicated restricted entry zones, diver or skier down flags, etc.

Operating at an unsafe speed. Boaters must always operate their vessel at a safe speed as discussed earlier in this chapter as well as adhering to any indicated speed limitations.
Failing to maintain adequate distance. Boaters must maintain the designated 'no wake' speeds in the circumstances discussed above as well as keeping their distance from water skiers or vessels towing someone on another device.
Exceeding maximum capacity. The recommended capacity indicated on the boats' capacity plate should not be exceeded.

Not maintaining a lookout. All operators are required to keep a constant lookout for other vessels and/or people in the water.
Not maintaining proper seating regulation aboard your vessel. In Washington, it is unlawful to allow any person to ride or sit on the bow, gunwales, transom, or on the decking over the bow of the vessel while underway unless such a vessel is provided with adequate guards or railing to prevent passengers from falling overboard. Passengers or other persons aboard a vessel may occupy these areas of the vessel to moor or anchor the vessel, to cast off, or for any other necessary purpose.

Dangerous operation. Boaters must make sure that the vessel is being operated in such a manner that it's occupants or others sharing the water are not in any danger. If an officer observes that someone's safety may be endangered, the operator may be forced to head to the closest moorage. Examples of such operation could be: operating without all the required equipment, operating the vessel with more power than recommended, operating the vessel with a fuel leak, or operating at night without lights.

Obstructing navigation. Boaters may not stop or anchor beneath bridges or in a channel without leaving adequate room for boat passage.

5.1.7.1 LAWS ON NEGLIGENT AND RECKLESS OPERATION

Negligent Operation - A person shall not operate a vessel in a negligent manner. Negligent operation of a vessel is inadvertent operation that endangers another person or property, but is not intentional.

Examples are operating a vessel in disregard of careful and prudent operation and rates of speed such as in a "no wake" or "no boats" zone, or other operation that disregards the existing conditions at the time, such as other traffic, freedom from obstruction to the view ahead, restrictions to the body of water, or the effects of boat wake.

Reckless Operation - It is also unlawful for any person to operate a vessel in a reckless manner. Reckless operation of a vessel is deliberate behavior that puts a person or property at risk.

Examples would be repeated operation of a dangerous act such as cutting closely near another person or boat or deliberately ignoring a marked speed zone.

Speed limits and zoned or restricted areas are determined by local ordinance. Become familiar with your local ordinances by talking with your sheriff's office marine patrol or with your local police department marine patrol. Examples are no wake zones, danger zones, and speed limit zones.

5.1.8 HOMELAND SECURITY MEASURES

Federal, state and local governments have enacted specific measures since the events of September 11, 2001, to help deter unlawful or dangerous operations on our nation's waterways. Homeland Security Measures violations can result in severe consequences. Please be aware of the following Homeland Security Measures, and act accordingly to keep our waterways safe and secure:

Keep your distance from military vessels

Do not approach closer than 100 yards from all military, cruise-line, or commercial shipping vessels.
Slow to "no wake" speed within 500 yards of any large U.S. Navy vessel
Observe and avoid all security zones.
Avoid areas with military, cruise-line, or petroleum facilities.

FOR INFORMATION in port areas, you can call 1-800-682-1796, visit http://www.uscg.mil/safeports/, or check with local authorities.

Observe other restricted areas near dams, power plants, etc.
Do not stop or anchor beneath bridges or in channels.
Report any suspicious activity immediately to local authorities, the U.S. Coast Guard, or marine security personnel, or call the National Response Center's Terrorist Hotline at 1-800-424-8802.
Do not approach or challenge those acting in a suspicious manner, and never confront the suspicious party.
Ensure your boat is always locked and secured when unattended, and always take the boat keys with you.

5.2 INFLUENCE OF DRUGS AND ALCOHOL ON BOAT OPERATION

5.2.1 DRIVE SOBER

Because of the fatiguing effects of the sun, wind and the motion of the boat, one drink on board is like three on shore! This means if you are drinking at all, then you should not be operating a boat or PWC. Do not jeopardize your safety or the safety of other boaters or the passengers in your care. Your balance, vision, coordination and judgment are all affected adversely by the consumption of even one alcoholic drink. Coupled with environmental elements (sun, glare, wind, motion), alcohol can have very serious consequences on the water. Please be responsible when operating your boat. If you are operating a vessel, you should avoid alcohol consumption.

MYTHS	REALITY
"A few beers won't hurt."	Even in small amounts, alcohol affects coordination and judgment. A bottle of beer, a glass of wine, or a drink of liquor all produce the same effect.
"Most drowning accidents result from swimming."	More than 60% of drowning accidents occur after the victim accidentally falls off a dock, shoreline or vessel into the water. Autopsies show that more than one-third of the victims of such falls (mostly men) were impaired by alcohol at the time of the accident.
"Drinking alcohol while operating a boat is not a serious offence."	Operating a boat while intoxicated is just as dangerous as operating a car in that condition. The marine authorities are equipped with Breathalyzers. If the results are positive, the police may lay charges.
"There's no harm in drinking alcohol on the beach before swimming."	Alcohol affects judgment. The person drinking can easily overestimate their abilities or misjudge a risk they would not take under normal circumstances. Furthermore, it is illegal to drink in some public places, such as a beach or a dock.
Source: "Water and alcohol—myths and realities." Red Cross Society"

5.2.2 SERIOUS PENALTIES

Boaters need to be aware that it is illegal to drink and operate a boat just as it is to drink and drive a motor vehicle. Most of the laws pertaining to the operation of a vessel under the influence of drugs and alcohol apply in the same way as they would for a car, truck or motorcycle on the road. It shall be a violation for a person to operate a vessel while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug. A person is considered to be under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drug if:

The person has 0.08 grams or more of alcohol per two hundred ten liters of breath, as shown by analysis of the person's breath
The person has 0.08 percent or more by weight of alcohol in the their blood as shown by analysis of their blood
The person is deemed to be under the influence of or affected by intoxicating liquor or any drug.

The penalties for boating under the influence of intoxicating alcohol or drugs include the following:

If convicted of an offense:

Imprisonment in a county jail for up to 90 days
Fines of up to $1,000

The operator may also be subject to the payment of compensation for any damages or injuries which may have occurred as a result of the offense.

Homicide by watercraft - When an individual involved in a boating accident dies as a result of injuries incurred during that accident within three years following the accident the operator of the vessel implicated may be charged with homicide by watercraft if:

They were found to be under the influence of either alcohol or drugs (or any combination of the two)
They are determined to have acted in a reckless manner which resulted in the accident

Assault by Watercraft - When an individual involved in a boating accident experiences serious bodily injury such as risk of death, permanent disfigurement, or loss of function of a part of the body or organ the operator of the vessel implicated may be charged with assault by watercraft if:

They were found to be under the influence of either alcohol or drugs (or any combination of the two)
They are determined to have acted in a reckless manner which resulted in the accident

Boaters are required to respond to any law enforcement officer's request to stop his or her boat when asked to do so by said officer. It is illegal to elude law enforcement officers.

Any new or used motor driven boat or vessel, other than open motorboats with outboard engines and personal watercraft, sold within Washington State must display a carbon monoxide warning sticker on the interior of the vessel.

5.3 CARBON MONOXIDE: PROTECT YOURSELF FROM THIS SILENT KILLER

Carbon monoxide can collect within, alongside or behind a boat in minutes and in a variety of ways.

5.3.1 AVOID THESE DEATH ZONES!

Do not swim near or under the back deck or swim platform. Carbon monoxide from exhaust pipes of inboard engines, outboard engines and generators build up inside and outside the boat in areas near exhaust vents. STAY AWAY from these exhaust vent areas and DO NOT swim in these areas when the motor or generator is operating.

On calm days, wait at least 15 minutes after the motor or generator has been shut off before entering these areas. NEVER enter an enclosed area under a swim platform where exhaust is vented, not even for a second. It only takes one or two breaths of the air in this "death chamber" for it to be fatal.

EXHAUST FUME DANGERS

Blockage of exhaust outlets can cause carbon monoxide to accumulate in the cabin and cockpit area—even when hatches, windows, portholes and doors are closed.

Exhaust from another vessel that is docked, beached, or anchored alongside your boat can emit poisonous carbon monoxide gas into the cabin and cockpit of your boat. Even with properly vented exhaust, your boat should be a minimum of 20 feet from the nearest boat that is running a generatoror engine.

Slow speeds or idling in the water can cause carbon monoxide gas to accumulate in the cabin, cockpit, bridge, and aft deck, even in an open area. A tailwind (force of wind entering from aft section of the motorboat) can also increase accumulation.

The "station wagon effect," or backdrafting, can cause carbon monoxide to accumulate inside the cabin, cockpit and bridge when the boat is operating at a high bow angle, with improper or heavy loading, or if there is an opening that draws in exhaust. This effect can also cause carbon monoxide to accumulate inside the cabin, cockpit, aft deck, and bridge when protective coverings are used and the boat is underway.

Teak surfing, dragging and water skiing within 20 feet of a moving watercraft can be fatal.

5.3.2 WHAT TO DO

The best precaution against carbon monoxide poisoning is to keep air flowing through the vessel.
Educate your passengers about carbon monoxide so they are aware of what the early poisoning signs are.
If your boat has a rear-vented generator exhaust, check with the boat manufacturer for possible recall, or reroute the exhaust to a safe area.
Assign an adult to watch when anyone is in the water.
Schedule regular engine and exhaust system maintenance inspections by experienced and trained technicians.

Keep forward-facing hatches open, even in inclement weather, to allow fresh air circulation in living spaces. When possible, run the boat so that prevailing winds will help dissipate the exhaust.

Do not confuse carbon monoxide poisoning with seasickness, intoxication or heat stress.
If someone aboard complains of irritated eyes, headache, nausea, weakness or dizziness, immediately move the person to fresh air, investigate the cause, and take corrective action. Seek medical attention, if necessary.
Install a carbon monoxide detector in each accommodation space on your boat. Check detectors before each trip to be sure they are functioning properly. If the detector goes off, believe it!

5.3.3 FACTS ABOUT CARBON MONOXIDE

Carbon monoxide is a potentially deadly gas produced any time a carbon-based fuel, such as gasoline, propane, charcoal or oil, burns. Sources on your boat include gasoline engines, generators, cooking ranges, and space and water heaters. Cold or poorly tuned engines produce more carbon monoxide than warm, properly tuned engines.

Carbon monoxide is colorless, odorless and tasteless, and it mixes evenly with the air. It enters your bloodstream through the lungs and displaces the oxygen your body needs. Early symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning— irritated eyes, headache, nausea, weakness and dizziness—are often confused with seasickness or intoxication. Prolonged exposure to low concentrations or very short exposure to high concentrations can lead to death.

Each year, boaters are injured or killed by carbon monoxide. Most incidents occur on older boats and within the cabin or other enclosed areas. Exhaust leaks, the leading cause of death by carbon monoxide, can allow carbon monoxide to migrate throughout the boat and into enclosed areas. New areas of concern are the rear deck near the swim platform with the generator or engines running, and teak surfing or dragging behind a slow-moving boat. Regular maintenance and proper boat operation can reduce the risk of injury from carbon monoxide.

5.3.4 PREVENTION CHECKLISTS

ALL CARBON MONOXIDE POISONINGS ARE PREVENTABLE!

CHECKLIST: EACH TRIP

Educate all passengers about carbon monoxide poisoning.
Make sure all exhaust clamps are in place and secure.
Look for exhaust leaking from exhaust system components, indicated by rust and/or black streaking, water leaks, or corroded or cracked fittings.
Inspect rubber exhaust hoses for burned or cracked sections. All rubber hoses should be pliable and free of kinks.
Confirm that water flows from the exhaust outlet when the engine and generator are started.
Listen for any change in exhaust sound that could indicate an exhaust component failure.
Test the operation of each carbon monoxide detector by pressing the test button. Make sure the battery is installed properly and is in good condition. Never remove the battery unless you are replacing it with a new battery.

CHECKLIST: AT LEAST ANNUALLY

Replace exhaust hoses if you see any evidence of cracking, charring or deterioration.
Inspect each water pump impeller and the water pump housing, and replace them if they are worn. Make sure cooling systems are in proper working condition to prevent overheating and possible burning of the exhaust system. (Refer to the engine and generator manuals for further information.)
Inspect each of the metallic exhaust components for cracking, rusting, leaking or loosening. Pay particular attention to the cylinder head, exhaust manifold, water injection elbow, and threaded adapter nipple between the manifold and the elbow.
Clean, inspect and confirm proper operation of the generator cooling water anti-siphon valve (if equipped).

THE ANNUAL CHECKLIST TEST MUST BE PERFORMED BY A QUALIFIED MARINE TECHNICIAN.

5.3.5 WASHINGTON CARBON MONOXIDE REGULATIONS

Teak surfing (a.k.a. platform dragging) is illegal in Washington. Teak surfing is when a passenger hangs onto the rear of the boat to be pulled through the water until the boat's wake builds enough to allow body surfing.

People who operate a motorboat with someone holding onto or occupying the portion of boat aft the transom could receive a maximum fine of $360.

In Washington there is not only a problem with teak surfing or swim-step dragging, but there is also a problem with heaters and air conditioners being improperly vented causing fatalities.

5.5 OVERLOADING AND OVERPOWERING

Overloading - A boat may not be loaded with passengers or cargo beyond its safe carrying ability.

Overpowering - A boat may not be operated with propulsion machinery that is beyond the boats ability to operate safely.

Since 1972 recreational boats less than 20 feet in length have been required to have at the time of manufacture a 'capacity plate' attached to the vessel. The capacity plate gives the maximum load and the maximum horsepower the vessel can safety have. It must be placed in plain view to be seen from the helm of the boat. The capacity plate often is not present on older boats. A basic guideline to determine the capacity for the number of persons on a vessel is:

Length (in feet) X Width (in feet) divided by 15

Example: 18 (feet long) X 5 (feet wide) = 90
90 ÷ 15 = 6 (persons, maximum capacity)

Six is the maximum number of people recommended that the boat can carry based on an average weight of 150 pounds. The amount of total weight for six persons (6 X 150, or 900 pounds) does not include the weight of added gear and motor. The manufacturer of the vessel should be contacted to determine this additional capacity if a capacity plate is not present.