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Pat 'Mooch' Webb
F.O.R San Bernard-Board
Member/President
Boating Etiquette
and Responsibilities
Most of the posts on the web page are
full of facts and figures, things you
can look up and verify, backed by
research and data. The only data I know
is how far my boat can go on the amount
of fuel I can mooch, on any given day.
So this post is just full of opinions
and observations that I have or have
made from the thousands of years that I
have been enjoying boating and the
river. There may be something in here
that you might find useful, so go ahead
and read it and see for yourself.
First of all, let's start with boating
rules and regulations that apply to all
of us. In the past, I have been in a
position to need a U.S.C.G. Captain's
License. In order to obtain one, you
have to go take those pesky ole tests
they have. Well, being a few fries short
of a Happy Meal, I had to find ways to
remember all those little rules and regs.
Here are a couple tricks I can share
with you that helped me get through the
test.
The word "right" has more letters in it
than the word "left". This is true of
all the things pertaining to boats also.
For instance, starboard has more letters
than port, so starboard is on the right,
port the left. Green has more letters
than red, you guessed it, green lights
are on the right, red on the left.
Ain't that handy?
When overtaking another boat, (passing)
you sound two bells or whistles when you
are passing with the other boat on your
right, one when it will be on your left.
Meeting a boat, two when you pass
starboard to starboard, one port to
port. Numbered bouys or markers- even
numbers on right, odd on left, when
heading upstream. (This even works on
trailer light wires. )
Another little trick on markers and
buoys. When you are heading upstream, on
a navigable waterway that connects to
the Gulf, remember the 3R's: Red -Right
-Returning. Red markers will always be
on your right, when returning from the
sea, (or heading UP a river or
waterway). Green or black is on your
left. Now you are ready to go take your
test.
With the boating season just around the
corner, here are a few other 'bits of
wit' to hand out from the experienced
observer:
Boaters Responsiblities and
Etiquette
This has been said before, but cannot
be stressed enough. The number one cause
of friction between boaters happens not
in the water, but at the ramp.
When launching or removing your boat at
a public ramp, get it in or get it out
and get out of the way!! Load or unload
your boats contents or passengers
somewhere that you do not block the
ramp.
Be prepared ahead of time to launch or
remove your boat. Don't tie up the ramp.
It is not yours, you don't own it and
other folks want to use it.
This also applies to public waterways.
They aren't yours, you don't own them.
Be courteous of others who SHARE
the waterways with you. Don't let your
boat or passengers cause harm or
discomfort to others, whether they be in
the water or on the bank.
As the driver of your boat, you are
responsible for all who are on it. Know
the laws and abide by them and make sure
all aboard abide by them also.
Noise carries very well on the water.
Loud offensive music or language is just
that. Loud and offensive. Not everyone
likes to hear it, why should they have
to? My grandchildren are on my dock
enjoying it, I don't want to have to
make them stay in the house, just so
they don't have to listen to other folks
thoughtlessness. Keep it toned down.
Water and alcohol don't mix when it
comes to boating. It is just as illegal
to drive a boat under the influence, as
it is an automobile, and just as
deadly. Be a safe, responsible
boater. An accident or fine will really
take the fun out of a nice weekend's
boating experience.
At night, keep your passengers in the
boat. It is illegal to ski, wakeboard or
surf after dark. There is a good reason
for this. It's called not getting run
over by another boater when they can't
see you in the water. This should be
common sense.
When the sun goes down, so should the
speed. Enjoy the slow pace of the
evening. Converse with your friends,
don't be in a rush to get them to the
hospital or worse, just because you want
to go fast when you can't see a blooming
thing because it's too dark. We know you
are an excellent boat handler, you don't
have to prove it to anyone. Slow down
when it's dark. Let everyone enjoy the
ride and get to your destination safely.
Every year we pull a bunch of trash,
like stoves and refrigerators, out of
the river, not to mention all the logs
and other things that float down. These
items are not in the river just at
"clean-up" time. These things are
hard enough to see in the daytime,
impossible at night. They can really do
some damage to boats traveling at high
speeds and are devastating to people
when they hit them on skies or
wakeboards. It just ain't worth it.
Last but not least of my ramblings is
this -we all want to enjoy the river and
the folks who use it. Nothing I have
said is anything more than common sense
and courtesy. Nowhere is the use of
these qualities demonstrated more than
on the waterways. If you use the river
with consideration and respect, you will
receive the same from the observers and
fellow boaters like me. I like you and
want to continue to do so, please do not
give me reason to change my mind.
Let's all enjoy our wonderful little
river together and keep it the place we
want to live, fish, raise our chidren,
bring our friends and ultimately retire
on.
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