Coast Guard Auxiliary Reports
This week is the second part of three from Bob Currie’s article.
Use the following links to see the other articles. COASTGUARD (Published January 19, 2023) and COASTGUARD (Published February 2, 2023)
Currie is a U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Recreational Boating Safety Specialist, United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Station Galveston Flotilla. It is also available on the U.S. Coast Guard Heartland Safe Boating Site.
When we talk about Recreational Boating Safety, some people may think that the target audience is only boat owners. Well, boat owners are in the target audience, but there is another target audience: the recreational boating passenger. You do not have to be a boat owner to enjoy recreational boating. Being invited to be a passenger can be quite enjoyable in itself, but you can increase that enjoyment by becoming a well-trained passenger. Let’s look at how you can accomplish that title.
TAKE THE HELM
The well-trained passenger is one who knows how to operate and steer the boat. Tell your captain that you would like to know how to operate the boat in case they become incapacitated or end up in the water. One key piece of information to learn is where the spare engine kill switch lanyard is located. This may take your captain by surprise, as most people don’t realize that if they end up in the water with the engine kill switch lanyard attached to them, then anyone left aboard will have no way to start and operate the boat in order to rescue the captain in the water. Skills to practice include starting from a standstill and bringing the boat up on plane, holding a course toward a certain object such as a navigation buoy, making a turn to port (left) and a turn to starboard (right), and stopping the boat, all operations should be done smoothly and without jostling the passengers. Also learn how to operate in reverse.
BE A LOOKOUT
Rule 5 of the Rules of the Road says that the captain must designate someone to watch for dangers that may come from any direction: “Every vessel shall at all times maintain a proper look-out by sight and hearing as well as by all available means appropriate in the prevailing circumstances and conditions as to make a full appraisal of the situation and of the risk of collision.” Ask the captain if they would like you to serve as a look-out. They would most likely appreciate that type of help, especially in a crowded bay where boats are going hither and yon in any direction and at inappropriate speeds. Notify the captain when you spot a vessel which could be on a collision course with your boat, indicating from which side and direction the boat is approaching. Also notify the captain of objects in the water that could make contact with your boat if the course were not altered to avoid it.
WEAR A LIFE JACKET AT ALL TIMES
The person who drowned at the dock recently when they fell overboard was not wearing a life jacket. Many people like to say always wear a life jacket when underway, but that is not enough. In a majority of drowning cases where people fell overboard from a stationary boat, the victim hit their head on something going over and they were knocked unconscious. Wear a life jacket that is intended to hold your head above water.
Please check back next week for the final part of this informative article!
Thanks to Sherrie, we will always remember safe boating is no accident!
Please contact us for more information about our safe boating classes or learning more about getting involved in the Auxiliary, check out our website at www.uscgaux.net follow us on FaceBook @ Apalachee Bay Flotilla 12 or contact our Flotilla Commander Phil Hill at pnkkhill2000@yahoo.com
The Coast Guard Auxiliary is the uniformed civilian volunteer component of the U.S. Coast Guard and supports the Coast Guard in nearly all mission areas. The Auxiliary was created by Congress in 1939. For more information, please visit www.cgaux.org.
CROOKED RIVER LIGHTHOUSE TO EXHIBIT LENS
Special to The Sun
On Jan. 13, after 47 years in “safe exile” at the 8th District U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters in New Orleans, the Crooked River Lighthouse 4th-order Fresnel lens began its rotation driven by a modern electric motor. The lens fitted with a replica burner crafted by Michigan Lampist Kurt Fosberg was relit and began turning in its new home for the first time in nearly 50 years.
Its location at the Crooked River Lighthouse Keeper’s House Museum now houses the one-of-a-kind lens in a newly created steel tower-inspired case. The lens returned to Carrabelle on Feb. 19, 2020 and has been on display awaiting its new permanent case with interpretive exhibits funded through the Florida Lighthouse Association (FLA) grant programs.
On Saturday, Feb. 5, at 5 p.m. join our guests from the Florida Lighthouse Association (Lens Room Project Funding Organization) at the Crooked River Lighthouse Keeper’s House Museum and Giftshop for the Ribbon Cutting Event. The Ribbon Cutting Event will be followed by a Full Moon Climb Event Benefit Concert. Stop by the Crooked River Lighthouse Park early (from 9 am - 3 pm) for the Crooked River Park Fest expanded Country Market (free to public) and plan to stay after the ribbon cutting for the Full Moon Benefit Concert (6pm-9pm) for the Crooked River Lighthouse Stage. Ticket Packages for the Full Moon Benefit Concert featuring Tom Mason and the Blue Buccaneers and the Tallahassee Community College (TCC) Dancers are available at TicketLeap: CRPFest Full Moon Concert.