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BoatDrivingSafety
Reference Material
May 2011 ©Water Ski and Wakeboard Canada
Water Ski and Wakeboard Canada – www.wswc.ca
Acknowledgements This Coach Workbook has been compiled from resources produced by various safe boatingauthorities.WSWCisalsoindebtedtotheWaterSkiandWakeboardOntarioanditspersonnelforsharing its technical information for the ReferenceMaterial, which served as a soundmodel forfurtherdevelopmentofthiscoachingprogram.Wewould like to thank Transport Canada for developing the rules and regulations of CanadiannavigablewatersandforallowingustheuseofsomeartworkandideasfromtheirPleasureCraftOperatorscourses.We would also like to thank the following companies for allowing us to use their photos andartwork:CorrectCraft Inc. themanufacturerofNautiqueBoats–www.nautique.com - forall fullboatandhullpicturesandillustrations.BoaterExam.com–www.boaterexam.com-for“RulesoftheRoad”diagrams.BoatEd–www.boat-ed.com-forengineillustrations.Boating,Sailing,andKayakingGuide–www.boatingsailingandkayakingguide.yolasite.com–fortheropediagram.In addition,wewish to thank the Boat Driving SafetyWorkgroup for volunteering their time todevelopthisgreatlearningresource.Preparedby: JeffLaycockandTimVanWinckleTechnicalContributionsby: BlakeRowsell JayPoole
ChrisHolden KenNelsonGerryWhittaker ShawnGratzfeld
Water Ski and Wakeboard Canada – www.waterski-wakeboard.ca
Reference Material Water Ski and Wakeboard Canada (WSWC) is committed to providing a safe experience to all involved in towed water sports in Canada. To this end, WSWC has designed a course aimed at providing boat drivers the tools to perform their tasks effectively and safety whether in a recreational or tournament capacity. Safety is everyone’s responsibility. It is “Rule One”. It is an attitude in which everyone assumes responsibility for their own equipment, safety and well being and looks out for the safety and well being of others as well. Water Ski and Wakeboard Canada is keen to promote a safety-first attitude throughout the sporting experience. This course (and reference material) will outline the mandatory criteria and obligations as well as provide best-practices for boat driving. The reference material has been created to service the towed water sports.
Water Ski and Wakeboard Canada – www.wswc.ca
Table of Contents Section1:Safety………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...…...1SettingtheScene………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...2BoatingRegulations……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………3TheBoatDriver&TheirResponsibilities……………………………………………………………………………………..5WeatherandWaterConditions…………………………………………………………………………………………………...6Section2:Driving……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..………7CommunicationSignals………………………………………………………………………………………………………………8360DegreesofAwareness………………………………………………………………………………………………………….9DrivingfortheBasicStart………………………………………………………………………………………………………..….9MaintainingandControllingBoatSpeed……………………………………………………………………………………...9PickingUpaFallenParticipant-KeyHoleTurn……………………………………………………………………..…..10GettingaFallenParticipantintotheboat…………………………………………………………………………..……….11“Landing”aParticipant……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..12BeginnerLoop………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….13BarbellPattern…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...…….13Docking…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...……………….14Section3:Appendixes…………………………………………………………………………………………………...…….15Section3A:Safety…………………………………………………………………………………………………………...……16GeneralSafety…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..16CrewOrientation…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….………..16EmergencyActionPlan…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….17PublicLakeEtiquette………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..17TyingtheBoat…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..18FirstAidKitRequirements…………………………………………………………………………………………………..……18PleasureCraftSafetyEquipmentRequirements…………………………………………………………………..……..18Section3B:Driving……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..20MaintainingandControllingSpeed……………………………………………………………………………………………20CompetitionDriving…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………20SiteInspection……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….…20RightofWay…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….21BeforeYouLeavetheDockChecklist…………………………………………………………………………………………23CastingOff………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..24Section3C:Equipment………………………………………………………………………………………………………...25SafeRe-fuelling………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...25CompetitionDriving…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………25PersonalFlotationDevices(PFDs)…………………………………………………………………………………………….25AttachingRopes………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..26DifferenceinBoats……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………28Non-SkiBoatDriving…………………………………………………………………………………………………………...……30SpeedControlSystems……………………………………………………………………………………………………………...31Trim…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………31BalancingtheBoat……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………31
Water Ski and Wakeboard Canada – www.waterski-wakeboard.ca
Section3D:Resources…………………………………………………………………………………………………...……32DrivingTestPattern……………………………………………………………………………………………………..................32BoatDrivingSafetyCourseExam..…………………………………………………………………………………………………33Section4:Questions……………………………………………………………………………………………………....……34BoatDrivingSafetyQuestions………………………...……………………………………………………………..................34BoatDrivingSelfTest..……………………………………………………………………………………...……………………………36
Overview
CONTENT DURATION PAGE
1 Section1:Safety(OnLand) 30min 1
2 CommunicationSignals 15min 5
3 360DegreesofAwareness 15min 6
4 KeyHoldTurn-PickingUpaFallenParticipant 30min 7
5 DrivingfortheBasicStart 30min 8
6 MaintainingandControllingSpeed 5min 9
7 GettingaFallenParticipantintotheBoat 15min 10
8 “Landing”aParticipant 15min 11
9 BeginnerLoop 15min 12
10 BarbellPattern 15min 13
11 Docking 1hour 14
12 Exam 1hour 19
TOTALCOURSETIME 5hours
Water Ski and Wakeboard Canada – www.wswc.ca
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Section 1: Safety
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SettingtheSceneWaterSkiandWakeboardCanada(WSWC)iscommittedtoprovidingasafeexperiencetoallinvolvedintowedwatersportsinCanada.Tothisend,WSWChasdesignedacourseaimedatprovidingboatdriversthetoolstoperformtheirtaskseffectivelyandsafetywhetherinarecreationalortournamentcapacity.Safetyiseveryone’sresponsibility.Itis“RuleOne”.Itisanattitudeinwhicheveryoneassumesresponsibilityfortheirownequipment,safetyandwellbeingandlooksoutforthesafetyandwellbeingofothersaswell.WaterSkiandWakeboardCanadaiskeentopromoteasafety-firstattitudethroughoutthesportingexperience.Thiscourse(andreferencematerial)willoutlinethemandatorycriteriaandobligationsaswellasprovidebest-practicesforboatdriving.Thereferencematerialhasbeencreatedtoservicethetowedwatersportscommunity. Thegoalsofthecourseare:
• Fornewboatdriverstocompleteallon-watertrainingandleavethecoursewitharealisticmeasurementoftheirsafeboatdrivingability
• Fordriverstoleavethecoursewithrelevanttoolsandreferencestocontinueimprovementinboatdrivingskills
• Makeitmoreenjoyableforfutureparticipants.• Newinstructorsorpeoplewhoarenewtothesportwillimprovetheirboatdrivingskillsto
maketheenvironmentsafer.• Drivingaboatforpleasureversustowingaparticipanthasvarioustechnicaldifferences
thatoneshouldbeawareof.Byacknowledgingthesedifferences,oneaidsincreatingthesafestenvironmentpossible.
KeyComponentsforSafeBoatDriving:
• Useacompetentandknowledgeableobserver• Chooseasafeareaawayfromchannels,swimmingareas,skin-divers,fishermen,
shallow/unknownwatersandrestrictedareas• Befamiliarwithemergencyproceduresandmakesurestaffaretrainedproperly• Beawareofoilandgaslevelsatalltimes• BesurethattheboatcontainsallpropersafetyequipmentaspertheCanadianCoastGuard.• Driveresponsiblyanddefensively
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BoatingRegulationsBoatinginCanadaisgovernedbyseveralimportantacts,codesandregulationsthatapplytoalloperatorsandvessels.Whenoperatingaboat,youareresponsibleforthevessel,yourguestsandcrewandanydamagecausedbyyourboat'smovementthroughthewater,includingdamagefromtheboat'swash.Operatorsand/orownersofpleasurecraftthatdonocomplywithCanadianlawsandregulationscouldbesubjecttofinesorpenaltiesunderthefollowing:
• SmallVesselRegulations(http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/marinesafety/vessels-pleasure-1279.htm)
• CollisionRegulations(http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/marinesafety/tp-tp14070-menu-1648.htm)
• CanadaShippingAct(http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/acts-regulations/acts-2001c26.htm)• BoatingRestrictionRegulations(http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/marinesafety/debs-obs-
resources-publications-restriction-menu-245.htm)• ChartandNauticalPublicationsRegulations(http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/marinesafety/tp-
tp14070-2917.htm)• CriminalCodeofCanada(http://laws.justice.gc.ca/en/c-46/)can’tfindexactboatsection
EnforcementBoatinginCanadafallsunderseveraldifferentjurisdictionsandcanbeenforcedbyseveraldifferentlawenforcementagenciesononebodyofwater.ThesecanincludeandarenotlimitedtoTheCanadianCoastGuard,TheRoyalCanadianNavy,TheRCMP,ProvincialPolice,andMunicipalenforcement.BoatInsuranceAllprovincialofficesofferdiscountsonboatinsurance.Checkoutthelinkbelowtoseewhatwehavetoofferyou:www.waterski-wakeboard.ca/programs_adaptive_e.php?p=programs_towsmartboatinsurance_eRequiredSafetyEquipmentCanadianVesselsarerequiredbylawtohaveastandardsetofsafetyequipmentwhichisdeterminedbytheCanadianCoastGuard.Safetystandardschangebasedonvesselsizeandtype.Belowistherequiredsafetyequipmentfortheaveragesizetowboat.Pleaseseeappendix3Aforthefullsafetyequipmentstandards.
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SafetyRequirementsforCanadianVesselsupto9m(29ft)
• Class5BCfireextinguisher• BailingDeviceormanualbilgepumpwithsufficienthosetoreachoverthegunwale• Whistleormanualairsignalingdevice• PaddlesorAnchorwithminimum15mrode• WaterTightFlashlight• CanadianCoastGuardapprovedlifejacketorPFDforeachpersononboardaswellasfor
theparticipantbehindtheboat.(notemostskivestsarenotapprovedlifejackets)• 15m(50ft)Buoyantheavingline–(ifusingatowropethehandlemustfloat)• Appropriatenavigationlightsarerequiredfornightoperation• 6FlarestypeA,B,C(requiredonlyifvesselisonawaterwaywhereavesselmaybemore
than1nauticalmile(1.85km)fromshore• Onere-boardingdevice.(Note:Notnecessaryifboathasaswimplatform)
SafetyRequirementsforCanadianPersonalWaterCrafts(PWC’s)*NOTE:Theremustaseatfortheparticipantbehindtheboat*
• CanadianCoastGuardApprovedLifeJacketorPFDforeachpersononboardaswellasskier(notemostskivestsarenotapprovedlifejackets)
• 15m(50ft)BuoyantheavingLine• PaddlesorAnchorwithminimum15mrope• BailingDeviceormanualbilgepumpwithsufficienthosetoreachoverthegunwale• WaterTightFlashlight• WhistleorManualAirHorn• Fireextinguisher-class5BCfireextinguisher
Note*IfoperatorandeveryoneonboardiswearinganapprovedlifejacketorPFDpaddle,anchor,bailer/manualpump,andfireextinguisherareNOTrequired.
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TheBoatDriver&TheirResponsibilitiesTheBoatDriverisresponsiblefortheoverallsafeconductofeveryoneparticipatingintowedwatersportactivity.Thisincludestheathletesandallmembersoftheboatcrew.Responsibilitiesincludebothlegalandmoralobligations.Federal/Provincial/MunicipalBoatingRegulationsTheBoatdriverisresponsibleforensuringthey(andallparticipants)conformtoallprovincialand/orfederalboatingregulationswhileonthewater,including:DriverhasavalidPleasureCraftOperator(PCO)cardandiscarryingthecardOtherProvincialorMunicipalregulationsareobservedTheboathasallthenecessarysafetyequipmentTowingactivitiesareallowedintheperiodfromonehourpriortodawntoonehourafterduskCriminalCodeofCanadaFromalegalpointofviewinCanada,behavioursbytheboatdriverthatareoffencesundertheCriminalCodeofCanadainclude:
• Operatingavesseldangerously• Operatingavesselwhileimpaired• Towingathlete’swithoutaspotter• Failingtostopatthesceneofanaccident• Operatinganunseaworthyvessel
Zero-tolerancePolicy–ConsumptionofalcoholandIllicitDrugsAlthoughthelegallimitofalcoholforaboatdriverinCanadais0.05,itisWaterSkiWakeboardCanada’spositionthatanyboatdriverparticipatingintowedwatersportactivitiesmaintainazerobloodalcohollevel.Aswithanyjobdrivingavehicleyoushouldconsumezeroalcoholorillicitsubstancepriortoorduringoperation.Itisimportanttounderstandthatanyalcoholcanhaveanegativeimpactordistortperception.Theseinclude:
• Reducingthedriver’sreactiontime• Raisinglegalissuesarisingfromconsumptionandthenrespondingtoanincident• Creatinganegativeenvironment(athletes,boatcrew,etc.haveseenconsumptionof
alcohol)• Chargesrelatedtooperatingavesselwithabloodalcohollevelinexcessofthelegallimit
willresultinlosingyourmarinelicenceaswellasyourmotorvehiclelicence.
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SiteInspectionTheboatdriver,priortoanytowedwatersportactivity,shouldcompleteasiteinspectiontoensuretheareaissafeandshouldincludethefollowing:Take-offandlandingareas:(e.g.docksandthewatersadjacenttothedock)toseethattheyarefreeofrocks,brokenglassorotherhazardousobjects.Priortoanyparticipantbeingtowed,completeafullscanofthewaterwaytoensureitisfreeofdebrisWeatherandWaterConditionsParticipatingintowedwatersportswherevisibilityislimitedcanbeverydangerousasobstacles,otherboatsorevenfallenskiers/boarderscanbeverydifficulttoseeinatimelymanner.Ifyoucannotseewhereyouaregoing,youcannotparticipatesafely.Participatingintowedwatersportsbeforedawnandaftersunsetisobviouslydangerousand,isinfact,againstthelawinCanada.Fog,mistandheavyrainofferthesamehazards.Theboatdriverhastheresponsibilitytostopthetowedactivityshouldvisibilitybereducedtoanunsafelevel.Allboatingandtowedwatersportactivityshouldceaseimmediatelyifthunder(and/orlightning)ispresent.Thegeneralruleofthumbistowait30minutesafterthelastrumbleorlightningstrikebeforereturningtothewater.Oncethunderorlightningisdetected,themostprudentactionistodock(ortrailer)theboat.Oncetheboatismooredeveryoneonboardshoulddisembarkthevesselandseekanappropriateshelteronland.WaterConditionsTowedwatersportsshouldbeconfinedtoareasfreefromanysortofcongestion.Thisincludesallboattraffic,marinasandharborsaswellasswimmingandscubadivingareas.Thewatermustbefreefromobstaclesbothbelowandabovethesurface,suchasrocks,sunkenlogs,shoalsandsandbars-aswellasdivingboardsandothersimilarobjectsthatprojectoverthewater,eitherfromtheshoreorfromfloatingrafts.Thewatermustalsobefreefromfloatingdebris.Idealwateriscalm.Astheroughnessofthewaterincreases,sodoestheriskoftheathletefallingandpotentiallyinjuringthemselves.Asthedriveryoumustconstantlymonitorthesurfaceconditionsofthewateranddetermineifyourathleteisabletosafelyridethroughanysortofsurfacechop.Ifyouareunsureofanathlete’sabilitytocopewithanytypeofsurfacecondition,ceasetowing,bringtheriderbackontheboatandrelocatetoanareathathasbetterconditions.
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Section 2: Driving
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CommunicationSignalsThereareeightcommunicationsignalsthatallmembersoftheboatcrew(driver,observerandparticipant)shouldknowandusewhileparticipatingintowedwatersportactivities.Theyare:
SPEEDUP
The'ThumbsUp"gestureorpalmupisusedtoindicateanincreaseinspeed.
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SLOWDOWN
The"ThumbsDown"orpalmdownisusedtoindicateadecreaseinspeed.
TURN(AROUND)
Wheneithertheparticipantorthedriverusesacirclingmotionabovetheirheadwiththearm,aturnisindicated.Thissignalcanbefollowedbypointinginthedirectionoftheturn.
BACKTODOCKor“Home”
Apatonthetopoftheheadindicatesthedesiretoreturntothedock.
CUTMOTOR
Afingermotionacrossthethroatindicatestheboatistostopimmediately.Thiscanbeusedbytheparticipant,driverand/orobserver.
STOP
Handraisedwithfingersoutstretched(similartoindicatingthenumber5)meanstheparticipantsisfinishedandwantstheboattostop.
O.K.AFTERFALL
Bothhandsclaspedovertheheadassoonastheparticipantissureheisalrightindicatetotheobservertheparticipant’scondition.
O.K
"0"madewiththethumbandindexfingerindicateseverythingissatisfactory.
360DegreesofAwarenessOneofthekeystodrivingaboatisbeingcompletelyawareofyoursurroundings.Theboatdriverisresponsiblefornotonlytheboatanditsoccupantsbutalsotheparticipant.Don’texpectotherstoknowtherulesonthewater.Surroundingsthatthedrivershouldbeawareof:
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• Swimmers• Boats(thedrivermustneverassumethattheotherboatisawareofthem)• Paddleboats,personalwatercraft(i.e.JetSki),sailboats,windsurfers,andcanoes.• Offshorebuoys(indicatingshallowwaterorswimmingwater),navigationalbuoys,
swimmingrafts.Theboatdrivershouldbeawareoftheparticipantatalltimes;theboatdrivergreatlyinfluencesthesuccessoftheparticipant.Thefollowingareparticipantelementsthatthedriverisresponsiblefor:
• Takingupslackintheropeinaslowandcontrolledmannertoensurethattheparticipantisnotpulledoffbalancewhenpreparingtostart.
• Properaccelerationtopulltheparticipantoutofthewater;takeintoaccounttheweightandskilloftheparticipant.
• Maintaintheproperparticipantspeedfortheskillleveloftheparticipant,especiallythroughaturn.
• Usingtheturningpatternbestsuitedtotheskillleveloftheparticipant.• Properdecelerationoftheboattosinktheparticipantatthedock.• Watchingtheparticipantatalltimeswheninthewater(afterafallorswimmingtothe
dock).DrivingfortheBasicStart
• Idletheboatslowlyoutfromthedock–telltheskiertowaitforyoursignalbeforeenteringthewater
• Slowlylineuptheskiersotheyaredirectlybehindtheboatwiththeropetight• WaitfortheskiertosignaltheirreadinessortheInstructor’ssignal• Beforeaccelerating,straightenthemotororrudderandlookforwardtoensurethatyou
haveaclearboatpath• Speedofacceleratingdependsontheweightandskilllevelandtypeofskier.Regardlessof
thespeedofacceleration,theaccelerationshouldalwaysbeconstant.Theensuretheproperaccelerationspeed,watchtheskiertheentiretimetheyarebeingpulledoutofthewater(orasmuchasissafeforyoursurroundings)
• Astheboatplanesonthewater,settheproperskierspeedbywatchingwherethewaterbreaksontheskiorwakeboard.Forabasictwoskier,thewatershouldbebreakingattheskier’stoes.Aboatdrivershouldbeabletodetermineaproperspeedforaskierwithoutusingaspeedometerortachometer.
MaintainingandControllingBoatSpeedConsistencyiscrucialwhendrivingforanytypeoftowedwatersport.Thespeedshouldbeheldconstantbyalwayskeepingyourrighthandonthethrottle.Ifaspeedchangedoesneedtobemade,itshouldbedoneinaslowandcontrolledmanner.PickingUpaFallenParticipant-KeyHoleTurn
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A) Whenaskierfalls,theobserverwillinformthedriver,whowilldeceleratetoidlespeedandthenproceedtoturnbacktopickupthefallenskier.Thenturnshouldonlybemadeaftertheboathasdecelerated.Thedrivershouldasktheobserveriftheathletegavethe“OK”signal.
B) Returntothefallenathleteatidlespeed,alwayskeepingtheathleteonthedriver’ssideoftheboat.
C) Thedrivermaneuverstheboatina‘keyhole’patternaround
theskier,keepingasafedistanceof10-15feetor3-5metresastheboatcirclestheskierandtheskierretrievestherope
D) Slowlytightentherope,usingforwardandneutralasyouline
uptheskierdirectlybehindtheboatandwaitfortheskiertogetthehandleandgetready.
E) Waitfortheskier’sreadysignal.Straightenthemotorand
lookforwardtoensureaclearandsafeboatpath.Watchtheskierasmuchasissafeforyoursurroundingsasyouacceleratesmoothly.
A
X
B
C
D
E
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GettingaFallenParticipantintotheboatIfyoudonothaveasituationwhereyoucanreturnyourparticipantbacktothedock,youwillneedtogettheskierintotheboat.Pleaseconsiderfromtheparticipant’sviewpointaboatapproachingthem.Inmostcasesyourskierorriderwillbenewtothesportornewtoyouasacoach.Forthatreason,alargeboatapproachingaparticipantinthewatermightbeveryscaryforthepersoninthewater.Youshouldalwaysbepreparedtoshuttheboatoffatanytime.Ifyougetintoadangeroussituationthebestmoveistojustshuttheengineofftolimitharmfromthespinningpropellertotheathlete.
• Approachafallenathleteonthedriver’sside.Inthesamewayasyourkeyhole,approachtheskier10-15feetaway.Thiswillhelpalleviateanyfearandmaketheapproachsafer.
• Approachtheskierslowlyusingforwardandneutraltokeepthespeeddown.Itismuchsaferforthemtoswimafewfeetthantotrytodrivetheboatclosetothem.
• Providedyouareasafedistanceawayyoushouldusealittlereversetoslowyourforwardmomentum.However,pleaserememberthatinmostinboardboatsthatwillcausethesternoftheboattoswingtowardtheathlete.Ifyouaredrivinganoutboardorinboard/outboardbewarewhichdirectionyourengineisturned.
• Assoonasyouhavereachedasafedistancefromtheparticipantandhavestoppedtheforwardmomentum,turntheengineoff.Regardlessofthetypeofboatyouareusing,thepropellercanstillspinwhentheboatisinneutral.Asaresult,whenaparticipantisinthewateranywhereneartheboattheengineshouldbeshutoff.
• Whenaparticipantisenteringthewaterfromtheboattheengineshouldbeturnedoffuntiltheskierhasenteredthewaterandswamasafedistancefromtheboatandpropeller.
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“Landing”aParticipant
A. Havetheobservergivetheparticipantthe“headhome”signalandbegintheboat’sapproachintothedock/landingarea.
B. Planyourreturnpathtothedock/landingarea,withconsiderationtothemovementofotherwatercraft,andalsoanypossibleswimmersinthewater.Donotapproachthedock/landingareaunlessyouarecertainyourpathissafeandclear.
C. Theboatshouldcomeparallelto,andatasafedistanceofatleast90feetor25mfromtheedgeofthedockandanyotherobstaclesorhazards.
D. Astheboatapproachesandpassesthedock,thedriverbeginstopullbackonthethrottle,andslowstheboatandparticipant.Thiswilltakeawaytheparticipant’smomentum,preventingtheparticipantfromattemptingtocutintothedockandpotentiallyhurtthemselvesorothers.Timethedecelerationsothattheparticipantcanletgoandgentlysinksintothewaternearthedock.Iftheparticipantmakesasuddencuttothedock,thedrivercanquicklyslowtheboattotrytopreventtheparticipantfromacollisionwiththedock.
E. Thedrivershouldwatchtheparticipantswimintothedockandgetoutofthewater.F. Theobservershouldbringintherope.G. Oncetheropehasbeenretrievedandtheparticipantissafelyonthedock,returnslowlyto
thedock.
90 ft.
A
B
F G
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BeginnerLoopThebeginnerloopshouldbeusedwheneverpossibleforallbeginnertowedwatersports.Theadvantageofthebeginnerisloopisconsistency.Theturnshappenverygraduallyandthusdonotthrowofftheskierinanyway.Inaddition,thewidepatternallowstheboat’swaketodissipateandspreadout,makingiteasierfortheathletetocross.Ex:
BarbellPatternThebarbellpatternisformoreadvancedskiersandriders.Thisshouldonlybeusedaftertheparticipantisverycomfortable.Theadvantageofthispatternislongstraightpasses,andonlybriefinterferencefromtheboat’swake.Ex:
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DockingDuetovaryingweatherconditions,dockingyourboatwillbedifferenteverytime.Sobeforeperformingyourdockingprocedures,takeintoaccountthewindandwaterconditions.
A. Approachthedockslowlyata45degreeangle.B. Docktheboatonthedrivers’side(starboard).C. Aimatthecentreofwhereyouwishtodock.D. Turntoport(left)whenyouareabout1½boatlengths(25feet)away.E. Sliptheboatintogear(nothrottle)toswingthesternaroundalmostparallelwiththedock.F. Asitstartstorotate,slipitintoreversetostoptheforwardmotion.G. Astheforwardmotionisstopped,bringthethrottletoneutral.H. Allowtheboattodrivetowardthedock.I. Iftheboathasasterndriveoroutdrive,youcanusethesteeringtoadjustthepullofthe
propintothedock.J. Thepropellerisallyouhaveforbrakes–don’tshutyourengineoffuntilyouhavestopped.
30°
A-B
C -J
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Section 3: Appendixes
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Section3A:SafetyGeneralSafetyTheboatdriverisresponsibleforensuringthat:
• Anyadditionalweightaddedtothetowboat(includingitsoccupants)doesnotexceedthelimitsspecifiedonthetowboat’smaximumoccupancyplate
• Towingattachments(fixedtothehullofthevessel)otherthanthosesuppliedasstandardequipmentorapprovedbythetowboatmanufacturershouldnotbeused.(Note:Currently,severalboatmanufacturersincludeextendedpylonsorboomsasstandardequipment.)
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• Thetowboathasonboard,enoughCanadianCoastGuard-approvedTypeIIIPFDorCanadianCoastGuardapprovedtypeVPFD’sforalloccupantsofthetowboat(driver,observers,andjudges)plusoneadditionalapprovedPFDfortheathlete.
• Surroundingstowatchfor:• Swimmers• Otherboats(don’teverassumethattheotherdriverisawareofyou)• Anyotherkindofwatercraft,suchaspaddleboats,PWC’s,sailboats,windsurfersandcanoes• Offshorebuoysindicatingshallowwater,navigationalbuoys,swimmingrafts,etc.• Nailsorotherobjectsthatcouldcausedamagewhiledockingtheboatorwhiletheskieris
enteringorexitingthewater.Whileyouarepullingaskier,youalsoneedtobeawareoftheirperformanceatalltimes.Astheboatdriveryougreatlyinfluencethesuccessoftheskier.Theskierelementsthattheboatdriverisresponsibleforare:
• Goingovertheproperskiersignalsforgoodon-watercommunication• Idlingoutandtakingupslackintheropewhileensuringthattheskierisnotpulledoff
balancewhilepreparingtostart• Properaccelerationtopulltheskieroutofthewater,takingintoaccounttheweightand
skilloftheskier• Maintainingproperskierspeedfortheskilllevelandweightoftheskier,especially
throughouttheturn• Turningpatternbestsuitedtotheskillleveloftheskier.• Properdecelerationoftheboattosinktheskieratthedock,topreventtheskierfrom
unsafelycuttingtowardsthedock• Watchingtheskieratalltimeswheninthewaterafterafallorswimmingbacktothedock.
CrewOrientationTheObserver:Bylaw,aboattowingaskiermusthavea‘safetyobserver’who:
• Isofamatureagetohandleresponsibilitiesofbeinganobserver• Canswimandisreadytoenterthewaterifnecessary• Isawareoftheproperskiersignalsandkeepsthedriverinformed• Keepsthedriverinformedofskier’sprogressandanyfalls• Speaksclearlyandloudlyinordernottobemisunderstoodbythedriver.Arear-view
mirrorcanbeusedforadditionalassistancebutinnowayreplacesaspotter.TheOtherOccupants:
• Theboatdriverisultimatelyresponsibleforthesafetyofhis/hercrewwhiletheboatisinoperation.Thecrewmustlistentothedriveratalltimesandfollowtheinstructionsasnecessary.
EmergencyActionPlanAnEmergencyActionPlan(EAP)isaplandesignedtoassistinrespondingtoemergencysituations.Theideabehindhavingsuchaplanpreparedinadvanceisthatitwillhelpyourespondinaresponsibleandclear-headedwayifanemergencyoccurs.AnEAPshouldbepreparedforanyarea
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inwhichyouplanonboatingin.AnEAPcanbesimpleorelaboratebutshouldcoverthefollowingitems:
• Designateinadvancewhoisinchargeintheeventofanemergency(thismayverywellbeyou).
• Haveacellphonewithyouandmakesurethebatteryisfullycharged.Ifthisisnotpossible,findoutexactlywhereatelephonethatyoucanuseislocated.Havesparechangeintheeventyouneedtouseapayphone.
• Haveemergencytelephonenumberswithyou(fire,police,ambulance)aswellascontactnumbers(parents/guardians,nextofkin,familydoctor)fortheparticipants.
• PreparedirectionstoprovideEmergencyMedicalServices(EMS)toenablethemtoreachthesiteasrapidlyaspossible.Youmaywanttoincludeinformationsuchastheclosestmajorintersection,one-waystreets,ormajorlandmarks.
• Haveafirstaidkitaccessibleandproperlystockedatalltimes(alldriversarestronglyencouragedtopursuefirstaidtraining).
• Designateinadvancea“callperson”(thepersonwhomakescontactwithmedicalauthoritiesandotherwiseassiststhepersonincharge).Besurethatyourcallpersoncangiveemergencyvehiclespreciseinstructionstoreachyourfacilityorsite.Whenaninjuryoccurs,anEAPshouldbeactivatedimmediatelyiftheinjuredperson:
o Isnotbreathingo Doesnothaveapulseo Isbleedingprofuselyo Hasimpairedconsciousnesso Hasinjuredtheback,neckorheado Hasavisiblemajortraumatoalimb
PublicLakeEtiquetteManyofourwaterskimembershaveprivateskisitesorprivateskiclubsandneverhavetoexperiencesharingtheirwaterspacewithothermembersoftheircommunity.However,forthemostpart,ourskicommunitywasborn,andstillski,onthepublicwaterwaysthroughoutthecountry.Herearesomerecommendationstoensureeveryoneonthewaterhasanenjoyableday:
• Alwaystrytoskiorrideinalineorsetupaslalomcourseorobstaclesinanareaofthelakewheretherearenohousesandaslittleboattrafficaspossible.Keepinmind,lowboattrafficwillgenerallymeanflatwater!
• Makeyourneighboursawarethatyouareputtingaslalomcourseorobstaclesinthelakeandbesuretoacquireallthenecessarypermitsbeforeinstallation.
• OffertoshowanyneighboursonthelakehowtheslalomcourseobstaclesareusedordirectthemtoWSWC’swebsite.Offerforanyofyourneighbourstousetheslalomcourse,eventhepersonalwatercraft(PWC)riders.Onlyskilledridersshouldbeusingobstacles.
• Showrespectforpeoplefishing.Ifsomeoneisfishingintheareawhenyouwanttouseit,idleawayslowlyandrespectfully.Iftimeandwaterconditionspermitcomebackwhentheyhavefinishedfishing.
• Beconsciousofyournoiselevelonthewater;soundcarriesacrosswaterandcanbemistakenforrecklessness.Thisincludesloudspeaking,loudengines,andloudmusic.Pleasealsobecautiousofmusiccontent.
TyingtheBoat
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Tietheboatsecurely;NOTE:Nopassengersshouldexittheboatuntilthevesselhascometoacompletestopandthedriverhassaiditissafetoexittheboat.Itisalsoimportantnottoleavethevesselwithoutaropeoratleastbeholdingontotheboat.AsaSafetyprecautiononceyouhavetheboatsecurelyfastenedtoitsmoorings,pushtheboatawaytoensurethatalllinestightenandtheboatremainsproperlytiedsonodamagewilloccurtothevesseloritssurroundings.FirstAidKitRequirementsOnaverageabasicfirstaidkitcanbeorderedorcreatedforapproximately$25.Allitemsincludingbandagesshouldbenon-latex.ThefollowingshouldbecontainedinaBasicFirstAidkit:
• 4or5standardsizebandages(1”x3”)• 15ormoreassortedbandages(small,medium,large)• 1Triangularbandage,withsafetypins• Assortedknuckleand/orfingertipbandages• Minimum1rollof½”adhesivetape(preferablywaterproof)• Minimum33”sterilegauzepads• Minimum14”pressurebandage• Minimum1rollof2”gauze• Minimum3antiseptictowelettes• Minimum2pairofnon-latex(eithervinylornitrile)examininggloves• 1pairofscissors• 1pairoftweezers• Antisepticointment(oriodine)sachets• Minimumfive(5)ziplockbags(usedtodisposeofusedbandages,glovesortobeusedfor
ice)• CurrenteditionFirstAidManual
PleasureCraftSafetyEquipmentRequirementsPersonalWatercraft(PWC)
• CanadianCoastGuardApprovedLifeJacketorPFDforeachpersononboardaswellasskier(notemostskivestsarenotapprovedlifejackets)
• 15m(50ft)BuoyantheavingLine• PaddlesorAnchorwithminimum15mrope• BailingDeviceormanualbilgepumpwithsufficienthosetoreachoverthegunwale• WaterTightFlashlight• WhistleorManualAirHorn• Fireextinguisher-class5BCfireextinguisher
Note:IfoperatorandeveryoneonboardiswearinganapprovedlifejacketorPFDpaddle,anchor,bailer/manualpump,andfireextinguisherareNOTrequired.Notover6mPoweredPersonalProtectiveEquipment:OneGovernmentofCanada(DepartmentofTransport)approvedpersonalflotationdevice(PFD)oralifejacketforsmallvesselsofappropriatesizeforeachpersononboard.Onebuoyantheavinglineofnotlessthan15minlength
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BoatSafetyEquipment:
• Onemanualpropellingdevice(paddleoroars)ORananchorwithnotlessthan15mofcable,ropeorchaininanycombination
• OneClass5BCfireextinguisher(ifthecraftisequippedwithaninboardengine,afixedfueltankofanysize,orafuelburningcooking,heatingorrefrigeratingappliance).
• Onebaileroronemanualwaterpumpfittedwithsufficienthosetoenableonepersonusingthepumptopumpwaterfromthebilgeofthevesseloverthesideofthevessel.(Abailerormanualwaterpumpisnotrequiredforanymulti-hullvesselthathassubdividedmultiple-sealedhullconstruction.)
• DistressEquipment:• Awatertightflashlightor3CanadianapprovedflaresoftypeA,BorC• NavigationEquipment:• Asoundsignalingdeviceorasoundsignalingapplianceaudibleatdistancesofone-halfa
marinemile(0.93km)• NavigationlightsthatmeettheapplicablestandardssetoutintheCollisionRegulationsif
thepleasurecraftisoperatedaftersunsetandbeforesunriseorinperiodsofrestrictedvisibility.
Vesselsover6mbutnotover9mPersonalProtectiveEquipment:
• OneGovernmentofCanada(DepartmentofTransport)approvedpersonalflotationdevice(PFD)oralifejacketforsmallvesselsofappropriatesizeforeachpersononboard
• Onebuoyantheavinglineofnotlessthan15minlengthoroneapprovedlifebuoyswithanoutsidediameterof610mmor762mmthatisattachedtoabuoyantlineofnotlessthan15minlength
• are-boardingdeviceifthefreeboardofthevesselisgreaterthan0.5mBoatSafetyEquipment:
• Onemanualpropellingdevice(paddleoroars)ORananchorwithnotlessthan15mofcable,ropeorchaininanycombination
• Onebailerormanualwaterpumpfittedwithoraccompaniedbysufficienthosetoenableapersonusingthepumptopumpwaterfromthebilgeofthevesseloverthensideofthevessel
• OneClass5BCfireextinguisher,ifthepleasurecraftisapowerdrivenvessel,plusanotherclass5BCfireextinguisherifthepleasurecraftisequippedwithafuelburningcooking,heatingorrefrigeratingappliance
DistressEquipment:
• awatertightflashlight• 6CanadianapprovedflaresofTypeA,BorC• Youareexemptfromcarryingpyrotechnicdistresssignalsif:• operatinginariver,canalorlakeinwhichitcanatnotimebemorethanonemilefrom
shoreOR• engagedinanofficialcompetitionorinfinalpreparationforanofficialcompetitionandhas
nosleepingarrangements.
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• NavigationEquipment:• asoundsignalingdeviceorasoundsignalingappliance• navigationlightsthatmeettheapplicablestandardssetoutintheCollisionRegulationsif
thepleasurecraftisoperatedaftersunsetandbeforesunriseorinperiodsofrestrictedvisibility
Section3B:DrivingMaintainingandControllingSpeedEnsuretheboatisrunningatspeedthatiscomfortablefortheparticipant.Havetheobserverrelayandencouragehandsignalsfromtheparticipanttogofaster,slower,ortoconfirmthattheboatspeedisokay.WaterskiingAgoodindicatoroftheboatspeedistofindoutwherethewaterisbreakingonthewaterski.Ifitistoofarforward,theymaybegoingtooslow,resultinginexcessivedragandfatigue.Ifitistoofarback,theboatmaybegoingtoofast,andwillhaveproblemsedgingandcontrollingtheskis.Notethattheboatspeedwillbeaffectedbyseveralactions:TheboatwillbesloweddownbythepullontheropeastheparticipantcutsbackandforthWhentheboatturns,theadditionaldragontheboatwillcauseittoslow.Theboatwillalsospeedupagainastheboatexitstheturnandstraightensout.Compensatefortheabovebysmall,smoothadjustmentstothespeedwiththethrottle.Usethespeedometerandtachometertomeasureandjudgethespeedoftheboat.Forstrongerskiersthatexertmorepullontheboat,trytotimethethrottleadjustmentstotherhythmoftheskiingandthepullontherope.Donotover-reacttospeedchanges–itisbettertoundercorrectandallowtheboattospeedupandslowdownwiththerhythmoftheskier(inotherwords,lessisbetter).WakeboardingWakeboardinghappensatslowerspeeds.Theaveragespeedofbeginnerwakeboardingis10-15mph.Withabeginnerwakeboardertheboatshouldneverexceedaspeedof15mph.Onlywhenawakeboarderisreadytojumpoverbothwakesshouldaboatspeedgreaterthan15mphbeconsidered.Theremaybesomedifficultyinmaintainingtheboatatthisslowspeed.Thisisbecauseatthelowerspeed,theboatsitslowerinthewater,whichaffectsitshandlingandacceleration.Withpracticethiswillbecomeeasiertodrivefor.SiteInspectionAlltowedwateractivitiesshouldbecompletedasafedistanceawayfromshoreandawayfromshallowwater.Therearetwogoalswithrespecttotheminimumdistancefromshore:
• Agreaterdistanceprovidestheboatdriverwithmaximumflexibilitytoreacttosituations.Whenrunningtooclosetoshore,thedriverispreventedfrombeingabletoreacttotheshoresideinanemergencysituation(orriskrunningtheboatontoshore).
• Agreaterdistancewillensurethatiftheathletedoesfall,heorshedoesnotruntheriskofbeingcarriedontoshoreorintotheshallows.Rememberthatskiers,boardersandtubersareonatowropeandwilltravelsomedistanceawayfromtheboat.Forexample,askierusingastandard18m(60foot)skilineiscapableofpullingatleast15metresawayfromthecentrelineoftheboat.Iftheyletgoorfallwhilepullingawayfromthecentreline,they
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cantravelseveralmoremetres.Itisthereforeveryimportantforthedrivertobeanappropriatedistancefromshore.
Someprovinceshaveadoptedspeedlimitsof10km/hwithin30m(98’5”)ofshoreonallwaterswithintheirboundaries.ThisspeedlimitappliesinOntario,Manitoba,Saskatchewan,AlbertaandtheinlandwatersofBritishColumbiaandNovaScotia.Thislimitisineffectwhetheritispostedornot.Exceptionsinclude:
• Recreationaltowingwheretheboatfollowsapathata90°angletotheshoreinanareadesignatedbybuoysforrecreationaltowing;
• Riverslessthan100m(328’)wide,aswellascanalsandbuoyedchannels;and• Waterswhereanotherspeedlimitissetinascheduletotheregulations.• Formoreinformation,seeCanadianSafeBoatingGuide.Also,considertheenvironment;
thismeans,beknowledgeableofnoisepollutionandyourvessel’swakeswhicherodetheshoreline.
MinimumWaterDepthAlthoughtheminimumcompetitivewaterdepthis1metre(3’),itisstronglysuggestedthatforrecreationalactivities,minimumwaterdepthusedfortowedwatersportsexceed2metres(6’).Thisdepthwillallowforsafepassageoftheboataswellassufficientdepthtoallowanathletetofallwithouthittingthebottomofthewaterway.Bewareofshallowareaswithinthewaterwaycausedbysandbars,rocks,andotherunderwaterobstacles.RightofWay
Port:Ifapower-drivenvesselapproacheswithinthissector,maintainwithcaution,yourcourseandspeed.Starboard:Ifanyvesselapproacheswithinthissector,keepoutofitsway.(Note:Thisrulemaynotalwaysapplyifoneorbothvesselsaresailboats.)Stern:Ifanyvesselapproachesthissector,maintainwithcaution,yourcourseandspeed.
RulesoftheRoadTherulesoftheroadinnavigationareoftensimilartotherulesonland.TheCollisionRegulationscontainmanyrulespertainingtonavigation;however,fourrulesarebasictonavigation.Aboatthatisovertakinganothermuststeerclearoftheovertakenvessel'spath.
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Avesselapproachingfromtheportsidemustgiveway.(A)keepsclearofandmustavoidcrossingaheadof(B).
Whentwovesselsareheadingtowardeachother,eachmustrerouteandpasstotherightoftheother.(A)blowsoneblastandalterscoursetostarboard,(B)blowsoneblastandalterscoursetostarboard.
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Asageneralrule,rowboats,sailingvesselsandcanoeshavetheright-of-wayoverpower-drivenboats.However,ifonevesselisunabletomaneuverasitnormallywould,themostmaneuverablevesselgivesway.
Responsibilityforavoidingcollisionsissharedbyeveryoneusingthewaterway.Commonsensemustbeusedalongwithalertnessandcaution.Theconceptoftakingearlyandsubstantialactionmustbeappliedinallcases.BeforeYouLeavetheDockChecklistThebestwaytoensureasuccessfulskirun,andavoidanyproblems,istobeprepared.Thisprocessbeginsbeforeyouleavethedock.Thefollowingisalistofsomeofthethingstoconsider:
• Checkthegaslevelintheboat.Runningoutofgasinthemiddleoftowingsomeoneonopenwaterisafrustratingexperienceforeveryone.
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• Checkthattheboatisequippedwiththerequiredsafetyequipment.Ifasituationoccurs,thisequipmentcanmakethedifferenceinavoidingorlimitinginjury.
• AllparticipantsareencouragedtoweartheirPFDs.Ifanemergencyarises,thereisnotimetofindandputonaPFD.
• Ifyouareunfamiliarwiththelake,havesomeonepointoutanypotentialhazards.• Makesurethatyourboatcrewisawareoftheirrolesandresponsibilitiesasobservers,and
reviewtheHandSignalswithboththeboatcrewandthewaterskier• Beawareofwind,waves,andotherweatherconditionsthatwillaffecttheperformanceof
theparticipant.• Youshouldalsoconsidertheoperationofotherwatercraftinthearea,suchasotherskiand
wakeboardboats,personalwatercraft,kayaks,canoes,andsailboats,sailboardsandkiteboards.Eachofthesecraftshaveparticularabilitiesandpatternsofoperation,andallposedifferentriskstoyourparticipant.
CastingoffOnceyouaresurethattheboat,thecrew,andthewater-skierareready,youarereadytoheadout.Thefollowinglistssomeofthestepsinthecastingoffprocess:
• Theboatdrivershouldmonitortheloadingoftheboat,ofbothequipmentandpeople.• Staywithinthecapacityrestrictionsandcapabilitiesoftheboat.• Ensurethatallmovementinandoutoftheboatisdonesafely.Thiscanbefacilitatedby
makingsuretheboatisheldclosetothedockandasstationaryaspossible.• Planyourexitfromthedock.Makesurethatyourexitpathisclearandsafe.• Designatesomeonetomanagetheropelinesfromthedock.Onceeveryoneisinposition,
seatedintheboat,andreadytoleave,instructyourcrewtoreleasethelines.• Leaveslowlyandundercontrol.Observeanyshorelinespeedrestrictions.• Asyouleave,beawareofmovementnotonlyinfrontoftheboat,butalsotobothsides,and
behindtheboat.OtherWatercraftAnotherBoatFollowingDirectlyBehindTowedAthlete
• Don’tstopyourboat• Haveyourobserversignalathletetoski/boarddirectlybehindwake(i.e.reducechanceof
fall)• Ifpossible,changecourseawayfromfollowingboat• Ifpossible,haveyourobserversignalfollowingboattomovetoonesideoranother• Failingthis,haveyourobserversignalathletetocutawaytowardsnearestshore(away
fromfollowingboat)andstop.• Thedrivershouldturnimmediately(awayfromfollowingboat)andensureathleteis
protectedfrombeingrunover.
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PersonalWatercraftJumpingTowBoatWakes• Don’tstopyourboat• Haveyourobserversignalathletetoski/boarddirectlybehindwake(i.e.reducechanceof
fall)• Ifpossible,changecourseawayfromfollowingpersonalwatercraft• HaveyourobserversignalfollowingPWCtomovetoonesideoranother(ifpossible)and
signalstopjumping(e.g.crossforearms)• Failingthis,haveyourobserversignalathletetocutawaytowardsnearestshore(away
fromfollowingboat)andstop.• Thedrivershouldturnimmediately(awayfromfollowingboat)andensureathleteis
protectedfrombeingrunover.CanoesorKayaksIfyouencountercanoesorkayakstryto:
• Findanotherlocationtodoyourtowedwatersportactivities• Trynottocomplete‘donuts’neartocanoesorkayaksasthewakepatternscreatedarealso
unpredictableanddifficulttohandle• Reduceyourwakesizebyslowingtoanidleuntilthecanoeistsand/orkayakershave
passed• Berespectfulandsharethewaterwayinasafeandcontrolledmanner
OtherTowedWaterSportEnthusiastsOurCanadianwaterwaysarehometomanytowedwaterenthusiasts.Encounteringothersonthesamestretchofwateriscommon.Thebestwayforalltoenjoyistofollowthesekeypoints:
• Singledirection(e.g.straightline)wherepossibletoreducebounceback/unpredictablewakes
• Share,don’tcompeteforthewater(takeyourturn,stopandwaitfortheotherstotaketheirturn)
• BesuretostopoutofthewayofotherboatersSection3C:EquipmentSafeRe-fuellingThefollowingguidelinesaresuggestedforthesafere-fuellingofanywatercraft:
• Tieuptheboatorpersonalwatercraftsecurely• Stopengine(s)andunloadpassengers• Donotsmokeandextinguishallopenflames• Fillanyportablefueltanksoutoftheboatandpreferablyonshore• Donotoperateanyelectricalswitches(potentialtocreateaspark)• Avoidfuelspillsby:• Keepthenozzleincontactwiththefillpipe• Don’toverfill• Turnnozzleupwhenreplacing(preventsdrips)• Putthecapbackon• Wipeupspilledfuelimmediately
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• Operateblowerforatleast5minutespriortorestartingengine(s)• Checkforfuelsmell• Startupengine,thenreloadpassengers
Besuretohaveabsorbentmaterialsonhanditemssuchasragsandoilboomsintheadventcasethatfuelisspiltthatitcanbecontainedandhasaminimumimpactonthebodyofwater.CompetitionDrivingAdvanceddrivingskillsandcompetitiondrivingarebeyondthiscourse.Pleasecontactyourprovincialorganizationformoredetailsonadvanceddrivingcourses.PersonalFlotationDevices(PFDs)PFD:Personalfloatationdevice,willnotalwayskeepyourheadabovewater.Lifejacket:Designedtorollyouoverinordertokeepyourheadabovethewater.ItisrecommendedthatallathletesparticipatingintowedactivitiesshouldwearaCoastGuard-approvedTypeIIIPFDoraCoastguardapprovedtypeVPFD.Incertainsituations,attheathlete’sownpersonalrisk,theymaywearaNONCoastGuardapproveddevice,suchasaneoprene,nylon,orsimilarmaterial,coveredsuit.Anormalwetsuitordrysuitaloneisnotconsideredtoprovideadequateprotectionorfloatation.Inallcaseswheretheathlete/participantchoosesnottowearaCoastGuardapprovedTypeIIIPersonalFlotationDevice,theremustbeoneavailableforeachcrewmemberandoneavailablefortheskier.AttachingRopesTowropesshouldalwaysbesecurelyfastenedtotheboatandcheckedtwiceforsecurity.Giventheamountofstrainthatisexertedontherope,thepotentialforinjuryfromanunintendedreleaseoftheropecanbequiteserious.Abreakorreleasewilltypicallyhappensuddenly,andwithgreatforce.Attachingtheropeseemslikeasimpletask,butitiscrucialstepinsafelytowingaparticipant.Becauseattachingthetow-ropetotheboathappenssooftenduringasession,itcandonejustoutofhabit,withoutthecareandattentionitdeserves.Whenattachingtherope,hereareafewthingstoconsider:
• Alwaysusearoperatedforthetowedwatersport• Checkthatthepylon,tower,orskieyeissecure• Inspectallropesforwearandtearpriortouse• Beingcarefulofcrewatthebackoftheboatwheretheycaninterferewithropesand/orget
injuredifropeisreleasedorbreaks.• No-oneshouldbeseatedanywherethattheropecouldcontactthemifitreleases.• Anylooseropeshouldbesafelylocatedsothatitwillnotcatchorcontactanypassengersor
anyitemsintheboatiftheropeisreleasedfromtheboat• Passengersmustkeepawayfromthetowropeatalltime,especiallyhandsandfeet
Cuttingropes(drivingoverbyaccident)
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Ifyoudriveoveraropebyaccident:• Immediatelystoptheengine(putinneutral,turnoff)• Nevertouchthepropellerorswimundertheboatunlessthekeyisremovedfromthe
ignition• Takeyourtimeandtrytounwindtherope• Cutifnecessary• Itisagoodideatokeepaknifeandgogglesintheboattoavoidthistakingallday
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DifferenceinBoatsGeneralHandlingofaBoat:Everyboatperformsdifferently.Astheboatdriver,youareresponsibleforfamiliarizingyourselfwiththeparticulardrivingcharacteristicsofanyboatpriortotowingaskierofanyskilllevel.Knowinghowaboathandlesandoperatesbeforetowingaskierincreasesthesuccessrateandthequalityoftheexperiencefortheskier.DifferentTypesofBoatsInboardsAninboardboatisaboatinwhichtheengineisinsidethehulloftheboat.Withaninboardenginethepropellerunderneaththeboatisfixed.Inboardshaveaseparaterudderthatisresponsibleforsteering.Inboardstypicallycomeintwostyles:1.Directdrive(directinboard):engineincenterofboat,transmissionisfacingtowardsthesternoftheboatandthedriveshaftandpropellerareallinastraightline.Directdrivesarethedriveofchoiceforperformanceskiboatsbecausetheengineinthecentreoftheboatcreatesagoodbalancetokeepasmallwakeandtheenginehasthemostavailabletorquebecauseitrunsdirectlythroughthetransmission.
2.V-Drive(vectordrive):engineislocatedinthehullbutatthebackoftheboatfacinginreverse.Thetransmissionismountedattheforwardendandhasagearboxwithangledgearstore-directthepowertothepropatthestern.TheVdriveistheengineofchoiceforperformancewakeboardboats.Ithasthetorquebenefitsofadirectdrivehowevertheweightisinthesternoftheboatwhichhelpsthewake,aswellasprovidingamorecomfortableseatingarrangement.
Allinboardsregardlessofmakeortypetypicallybehaveinthesamemanner.Becausetherudderisseparatefromthedrivemechanism(propeller),steeringisdifferentthanatypicaloutdrive.Theyaresteeredbytherudderdirectingthethrustofthepropeller;thiscreatesimmediateandaccuratesteeringresponseinforwardgear.Keepinmindthatthereisverylimitedsteeringinneutral.The
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reasonthatinboardboatsareusedforwaterskiingisthattheenginesproduceahugeamountoflowendtorque(pullingpower)andallowforconsistentspeed.Thisisveryimportantasacoachorinstructorisabletofocusonthestudentinsteadofkeepingtheboattravelingataconsistentspeed.Thehulldesignhasaveryflatfootprintontothewaterwhichallowsforcleanerwakes.Themaindifferenceisinreverse.Inboardswillpullonewayortheotherinreverse.Thisiscalledtorquesteerbecausetheboatissteeringduetothethrustofthepropeller.Becausetherudderisbehindthepropellerwhenthethrustisreversedtherudderisnoteffective.Inboardswillpullgraduallytothesidethattheytorquesteertothemostcommondirectionistothestarboard(driversside)howeversomeolderboats,witharighthandrotationprop,pulltotheport(passengersside).Itisimportanttoknowwhichsidetheboatpullstobeforedockingandclosequartersmaneuvering.Itisvaluabletopracticemaneuversoutinthemiddleofthelaketogetafeelforthesehandlingcharacteristics.WhenstartinganInboarditisimportanttoruntheblowerforaminimumof5minutespriortostartingtheignition.Becausetheengineiscontainedwithinthehullitdoesnotreceiveproperventilationandiftheengineweretosparkofbackfireitcouldresultinanexplosion.Itisalsoadvisedtoruntheblowerwhenoperatingbelowcruisingspeedstopreventcarbonmonoxidebuildupinsidethecockpitoftheboat.Manyfamiliesarenowmovingtowardinboardengineboatsasthepropellerislocatedunderneaththehulloftheboat.Thisallowsforalargeswimplatformtobelocatedatthebackoftheboat.Also,thepropellerlocationmakesitverysafe,assomeonewouldhavetoswimundertheboattogetnearthepropeller.OutboardsOutboardsareatypeboatinwhichtheengineislocatedoutsidethehullatthetransom(back)oftheboat.Steeringisaccomplishedbyturningtheentireengine(whichchangesthepropellersdirection)inrelationtotheboat.Becausethewholeengineisturnedsteeringiseffectiveregardlessofthespeedtheboatistraveling,includingtheabilitytosteerinneutral.Also,sincethewholeengineturnsthedriverhastheabilitytosteerinanydirectioninreverse.Outboardenginesareoftenmoredifficulttosteerbecauseyoumustmovetheentireengine,mostoutboardshavecablebasedsteeringwhichhasnopowerassistandwhiletheengineisatspeedcanbedifficulttomove.Alsomanydriversfinditverydifficulttoholdaconsistentspeed,especiallyunder25mph.Outboardsarethechoiceforbarefootingduetotheirhighpowertoweightratioitallowsthemtorunathigherspeedsbecauselargerenginescanbemountedonsmallerboats.Outboardshavetheabilitytobetrimmedupanddown.AbetterexplanationoftrimcanbefoundintheTrimsectionofthismanual.
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Inboard/OutboardInboard/Outboards(I/O)hastheengineinsidethehullatthebackoftheboat,butthedriveandpropellerisoutsidethetransomatthereartheboat.I/Osbehavelikeoutboardssteeringandisaccomplishedbyturningthelowerdriveunit(whichchangesthepropellersdirection)inrelationtotheboat.Becausethedriveunitisturned,steeringiseffectiveregardlessofthespeedtheboatistraveling,includingtheabilitytosteerinneutral.Also,sincethewholeengineturnsthedriverhastheabilitytosteerinanydirectioninreverse.However,thedisadvantageofinboard/outboardenginesisthattheydonothavealotoflow-endtorqueorpullingpower.Thisisduetotheextragearsintheoutdriveoftheengine.Inaddition,manydriversfinditverydifficulttoholdaconsistentspeed,especiallyunder25mph.WhenstartinganInboard/Outboarditisimportanttoruntheblowerforaminimumof5minutespriortostartingtheignition.Becausetheengineiscontainedwithinthehullitdoesnotreceiveproperventilationandiftheengineweretosparkofbackfireitcouldresultinanexplosion.Itisalsoadvisedtoruntheblowerwhenoperatingbelowcruisingspeedstopreventcarbonmonoxidebuildupinsidethecockpitoftheboat.
Non-SkiBoatDrivingPersonalWatercraft(PWC)asTowBoatsApersonalwatercraft(PWC)isarecreationalwatercraftthattheridersitsorstandson,ratherthaninsideof,asinaboat.AJetBoatisaboatwitharegularenginewithawaterpumpthat"jets"thewateroutthesternatveryhighvelocity.PWCsandJetBoatshaveaninboardenginedrivingapumpjetthathasanimpellertocreatethrustforpropulsionandsteering.ThesewatervehiclesaresometimesreferredtoasSeaDoos,JetSkisandWaverunners.Pleasenotethatthesearemanufacture’sbrandnames.SincePersonalWatercraftandJetboatshaveajetdrivetheyperformverydifferentlythantraditionalboats.Thrustisaccomplishedbysuckingwaterinthroughtheintakegrateonthehullandshootingitoutthenozzleontheback.Jetdriveshavenotransmissionsandthereforethejetisalwaysengaged,thereisnotrueneutral.Neutralandreverseareaccomplishedbyblockingthejetnozzleandredirectingthethrust.Becausethesuctionpumpisrunningatalltimesyoumustbeawareofoverpassingobjectsatalltimebecauseitmaydrawtheobjectintothegrateandwrapitaroundtheshaft.Jetpropelledwatercraftsaresteeredsolelybydirectingthethrustfromthejetpumpwiththenozzle.Becausetheyhavenoruddersorsteeringfixtures,youmustapplythrottletosteer.Thisisa
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potentiallydangeroussituationanddriversshouldpracticeemergencymaneuversonthelakeasafedistancefromshoreandanyotherboatstounderstandhowyourcraftmaneuvers.InordertomeetFederalregulations,anyPWCsbeingusedtotowathletesinanydisciplinemusthavebothadriverandanobserveronboardandmusthaveaseatavailableforeachpersontowed.ThisFederalrequirementobligeseventstouseatleast3-personPWCs. SpeedControlSystemsAsmarinetechnologyadvancesmoreandmoreboatsarebeginningtoofferspeedcontrolsystems.MostnewInboardBoatsnowofferitasstandardequipment,andI/OsandoutboardsandevenPWCsarenowbeginningtooffercruisesystems.Cruisecontrolsystemsaregreattoolsfordriversastheyallowyoutofocuslessonmaintainingaconsistentspeed,andmoreontheriderandtheboatsurroundings.Howeverspeedcontrolisonlyatoolandshouldnotbereliedonasprimaryformadriving.Adrivershouldalwayshaveonehandonthethrottlewhiledriving.Eachcruisecontrolsystemisdifferentinitscomponentsandfunctionalityandasaresponsibledriveryoushouldbefamiliarwiththemanualofthespecificcruisecontrolsystemanduseitwithoutaskiertobecomecomfortablewithhowitworks.TrimOutboardsandI/Oshavetheadvantageofpowertrimwhichallowstheenginetomoveupanddown.Bydoingthisyouchangetheheightofthenoseoftheboat.Thisthuschangeshowtheboatplanes,(whichallowstheangleofthepropthrusttobeadjustedtoraiseorlowerthebow),allowingittorunmoreefficientlyindifferentconditions.Powertrimisusefultohelpcleanupthewakeoftheboataswell.Whentowingaskieryoushouldbeginwiththetriminthedownpositionthisallowstheboattoplaneoutquicklybecauseitforcesthebowdown.Oncetheboatisonplanetheenginecanberaised(broughtup)slightly.Thiswilleliminatebowsteeringandallowtheboattotravelthroughthewatermoreefficiently.Thisalsochangesthewakeshapewhichcanbenefittowedwatersportsactivity. BalancingtheBoatNomatterwhatboattypeyouareusingitisimportanttheboatremainsbalanced.Theweightshouldbeequallydistributedporttostarboard(lefttoright)andbowtostern(fronttoback).Evenforwakeboarding,toomuchweightinthebackoftheboatwillmaketheboatdifficulttodrive.Toomuchweightinthefrontoftheboatwillcausethebowtoplowthroughthewater.Theweightporttostarboardshouldalsobeeven.Thiswilldirectlyinfluencethewakeshape.Ifthereistoomuchweightontheportsideoftheboat,thewakeontheportsidewillbedarkandclean;however,thestarboardsidewillbewhiteandwashy.Whentheweightintheboatiseven,bothsideswillbecleananddark.
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BALANCED UNBALANCED
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Section3D:ResourcesDrivingTestPattern
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BoatDrivingSafetyCourseExamName:____________________________________Group___________Note:Noviceskierhasskiedafewtimes.Usebeginnerturn.Tellskiertostaybehindtheboat.
1) Handsignals ___/2
2) Safetyequipment ___/2
3) Driverinstructsskiertoremainbehindtheboatonapproachtolanding ___/2
4) Safedeparturefromdock,(360) ___/2
5) Ropetightensslowlypreparedtoreverse ___/2
6) Ropeperpendiculartoboat ___/2
7) 360Awareness ___/3
8) Gradualacceleration tooslow toofast ___/6
9) Controlledspeed tooslow toofast ___/4
FALL
10) AsksforOk ___/2
11) Safereturntoskier tooslow toofast ___/2
12) Keyholeturn,skierondriversside tooclosetoofar ___/6
13) Skiersuccessfullyretrievesrope (Y/N) ___/2
14) Ropeperpendiculartotransom ___/3
15) 360awareness ___/4
16) Acceleration tooslow toofast ___/4
17) Controlledspeedafteracceleration tooslow toofast ___/2
18) Turnsignal asks“havetheyseenit” ___/2
19) 360awareness ___/3
20) Controlledspeedafterturn ___/2
21) Landingsignal “havetheyseenit” ___/2
22) Landskierincorrectplaceundercontrol ___/3
23) Generalhandlingofboat ___/6
24) Generalcontrolofskier ___/6
25) Overallimpressionofdriving ___/16
26) Dockingofboat __/10
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___/100
Section 4 - Boat Driving Safety Questions 1. Make a list of all the safety equipment that should be in a boat. 2. Compare your answer with others in your group and adjust your list if necessary and
compare your list to the equipment list provided Technical Manual#130. Are there any items that you need to add to your list?
3. Working with your group members, identify the most important duties of an observer.
What qualities do you look for when selecting an observer? 4. There are eight safety signals that every skier must know. Have each member of your
group identify and demonstrate a signal. Keep going until you have identified all eight, list them below.
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5. In the space below, draw and label a key-hole pattern for picking up a skier who has
fallen. Compare and discuss your answer with others in your group. Now check the information in this manual and compare your diagram with the diagram. Adjust your drawing as needed.
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SELF TEST— BOAT DRIVING SKILLS 1. What is the proper boat-driving pattern when towing a beginner skier on two skis? 2. What is the proper distance to sink a skier from the dock? 3. During what hours is water skiing legally permitted? 4. You are the boat driver. The skier you are towing cuts toward the dock.
a. What do you do?
b. What do you tell the skier after you are on the dock? 5. You are pulling a skier and a small sail boat appears to be heading into your boat path.
Who has the right of way? Why?
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6. Which boat has the right of way, A or B?
7. Which boat has the right of way, A or B?
8. Draw and label, in detail, a complete driving/skiing pattern. Include all safety
equipment and docking.
A
B
A B
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ACTION CARD
I will START…
I will STOP…
I will CONTINUE…
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