The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1952-06-06
BOAT OPERATORS
OFFERED GOOD
ADVICE BY USCG
Norfolk Office Gives Timely
Hints About Safety on
the Water

the coming Memorial Day week
end. In the many waters of
Maryland, Virginia and North
Carolina activities afloat will
greatly increase from there on.
Assuming that those engaged
in boating activities have boats
which are staunch and sturdy,
las they should be, nd of con-
struction and type suitable for
the waters and routes on which
they are to be taken it is import
ant that the operators maintain,
equip and operate them so that
the possibility of injury or dam
age to persons and property will
be at minimum.
Proper maintenance for safety
requires that the boat be exam
med frequently and that any un-
safe conditions be corrected be-
fore the boat is again operated.
Poor electrical connections, fuel
leaks, damage affecting water
tightneSs of the hull, poor house
keeping amounting to fire haz-
ards, faulty engine operation and
poor ventilation of bilge of eng
inc and fuel tank compartments
are among deficiencies which if
not corrected, may result in cas-
ualties.
Inspection before departure to
determine the condition of the
boat should include also an ex-
animation to insure that the pro-
per equipment for the intended
trip is on board and in good con-
dition. The Motorboat Act and
Regulations prescribe the mini
mum numbers of life saving, fire
protection, and n avigational
equipment required.
These requirements vary de-
pending upon the size of the
boat. In general, there should be
a life preserver for each person
on board, 3(three) fire exiting
uishers for the largest motor
boats scaling down to one for
those not exceeding 26 feet in
length, whistle, fog bell, navi-
gational lights, carburetor back
fire flame ancestors and Ventila-
tors. In addition to these mini
mum requirements of the law
other equipment should be on
board. The amount and types
thereof will depend upon the in
tended voyage. Corrected navi-
gational charts and corrected
compass, anchors, mooring lines,
food, water, fuel are among the
items which may be essential for
safe voyage.
With a sound boat suitably
maintained and properly equip
ped, the success of the trip is
largely dependent upon the skill
and common sense of the one in
charge of its navigation. ommon
sense would dictate obtaining
weather reports before proceed
ing on an extended trip. Sailing
i in the face of predicted unfavor-
able winds could be hazardous.
! Loading in such way that the
boat approaches instability is
something to be avoided. A study
should be made of the charts of
the waters on the intended route
! to insure sufficient depth of wat
er for the boat and to aid in de-
! termining if the fuel supply will
be sufficient for each leg of the
voyage.
Operation of the boat at such
speed and in such manner that
it will not endanger persons or
property should be habitral,
however, each season numerous
complaints are received concern
ing reckless operation of boats.
In some cases deaths or serious
/ injuries resulted. Severe penal
ties, including Imprisonment,
were justifiable, but no recon-
pense to the girl who lost both
legs because of speedy operation
of a motorboat without keeping
a proper lookout for bathers
ahead.
The Motorboat Act of 1910
provides that any person who
shall operate any motorboat or
any vessel in reckless or negli-
gent manner shall be deemed to
be guilty of a misdemeanor and
on conviction thereof by any
court of competent jurisdiction
shall be punished by fine not
exceeding two thousand dollars,
! or by Imprisonment for a term of
not exceeding one year, or both
such fine and Imprisonment at
the discretion of the court.
Complaints to the Coast Guard
should be complete in order to
start prosecution. The offender
should be identified and the facts