38. Boats - Leaving and Approaching Shore
| Key Points |
Safety first, safe speed, watch divers and propeller,
careful of other surface traffic, avoid damage to propeller, keep
passengers informed about changes in speed and direction etc. Always
be aware of current, wind and location of divers.
Moving away from shore |
Moving away from shore
- Visually check direction of engine.
- Cast off any mooring lines.
- Reverse away slowly out to sea - ensure water not coming over transom.
- Adjust engine tilt with increasing depth.
- Turn to face out to sea.
- Ensure any throttle is off and adjust steering so that when thrust
is applied boat will move in intended direction.
- Put gently into forward - use only enough revs to maintain movement.
- Move slowly forward out to sea, adjust engine tilt with increasing
depth.
- Before picking up speed - warn passengers & check everyone ready.
- Check water clearance and depth, increase throttle steadily to safe
speed.
- Adjust position of passengers/adjust engine trim as required to assist
getting the boat on the plane. When on the plane, throttle back.
- Advise the coastguard if appropriate.
Coming into shore
- Check water is clear and depth of water continuously.
- Reduce engine throttle gradually.
- Watch to ensure transom is not swamped - increase revs slightly if
necessary to avoid this then throttle back again.
- Head into shore. Judge where slip/pontoon is, including any hidden
obstacles
- Adjust engine tilt to suit depth.
- Stopping - head into wind if possible, adjust throttle to slow speed.
Put into neutral or reverse.
- Watch water/current, wind, other obstacles/water users.
- Check attitude/direction of engine before engaging gear.
Coming along side
- Assess wind, current and other water users.
- Approach head on into wind if possible, reduce speed to slow.
- Turn slightly to one side and go into neutral.
- As nose approaches pontoon turn engine to opposite lock.
- At about 45 degrees engage reverse. Slowly adjust revs to stop forward
motion and allow the boat to travel sideways.
- Increase revs as required to pull stern into pontoon
- Cast mooring lines.
Mooring
- At slip/pontoon, adjust position of boat to ensure the rubbing strakes
are taking any force.
- Tie painter and stern line onto pontoon.
- Check state of tide, account for any adjustment required.
Anchoring
- Adjust speed to slow down, turn boat into wind/tide and place into
neutral.
- Ensure end of anchor line attached to boat, preferably at two points.
- Throw anchor off bow.
- Allow wind current to pull boat back - keep line slightly taught.
Lay enough line for depth plus 50%.
- Check attachment of anchor is secure to boat.
|