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Guest column

First mates anchor boaters to safety

By WILBUR SCOTT
Published June 30, 2005

Do you have a first mate?

Every skipper should have one and, no, I am not talking about your spouse or significant other, although they could be, and often are, one and the same.

I am talking about the one who will take over for you if you, as skipper of your boat, become disabled while on the water.

Imagine yourself on the water this July Fourth holiday weekend, enjoying being at the wheel of your vessel, and a mishap disables you. What do you do, skipper? Who is ready and able to carry on?

No one can predict when or where such an emergency might occur. Are you ready for it? Suppose you were knocked unconscious by a swinging boom, or dumped overboard? You could stumble on deck and break an arm or leg. You could suffer a heart attack or become disabled in any number of ways.

If you are one who boats alone, you really need to give this practice some serious consideration. When there is someone else aboard who is capable of assuming the skipper's duties, the situation becomes less critical but is still vitally important.

Whether your first mate is your wife, husband, son, daughter or maybe a neighbor or fishing buddy, someone on board should be prepared to handle your boat safely in case you become incapacitated.

In any event, before starting out, your passengers should be thoroughly briefed on your vessel, its characteristics and its emergency equipment. This briefing should begin at the dock. Everyone is shown the location of personal floatation devices, fire extinguishers (and how to work them efficiently), anchors and lines, the first aid kit, emergency signaling devices and tool box.

Then, before casting off, at least one member of the crew, the designated first mate, should be fully instructed on operation of the engine, starting and stopping it, clutch operation, determining fuel supply, use of the lighting system, the marine radio and related basics.

All on board the boat should be familiar with rough weather procedures and how to deal with grounding. "Man overboard" is a very serious situation, especially when it befalls the skipper. The first mate should be capable of maneuvering the vessel for a safe recovery. Crew members should know the location of life rings, poles, lines and similar equipment.

Accidents on board are not uncommon. Mostly they occur when someone becomes careless. Regardless of the circumstances that might disable the skipper, he or she should make certain, in advance, that someone else is sufficiently familiar with procedures to ensure the vessel and injured party reach shore safely and quickly.

You can become a better skipper, first mate, crew member or passenger by attending a Boating Skills and Seamanship program offered by the local flotilla of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary.

--Wilbur B. Scott is an officer with Flotilla 15-4 of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary in Homosassa.

[Last modified June 30, 2005, 00:59:15]