By Carolyn Brown Treadon
The following information on Recreational Boating Safety – Dealing with Other Boats’ Wakes was written by Bob Currie, United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Recreational Boating Safety Specialist, United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Station Galveston Flotilla. Last week we looked at important tips for properly crossing the wake of another boat. This week we conclude this series.
When All Else Fails…Sometimes you do everything right but you still find your boat out of control. You could be in danger of being swamped, you could find your bow about to be forced below the water due to a pitching effect, you could find yourself parallel to a deep trough setting yourself up for the boat to roll, or you could find your boat porpoising harder and harder. In most cases your only safe choice is to stop and recover. If you find your boat running parallel to a wave and inside the trough of the wave, then reduce throttle and try to turn out of the trough by gradually turning the bow into the crest of the wave. This is called squaring up. Reduce speed so that you do not launch off the top of the wave. Use enough power to get the entire boat through or over the crest. Lighter craft will not carry momentum so constant application of power is necessary.
Pitching occurs when the boat is running bow into the wave. The bow of the boat rises over the wave and drops rapidly into the trough. When this happens, the bow can drop below the water surface and flood the boat. If the waves become too steep, reduce speed. This will allow the bow to rise, meeting the swell rather than being driven hard into it.
A few simple rules can make crossing a boat’s wake a smooth proposition rather than a bone-jarring experience. First, decide on which side to meet or pass. Second, signal your intention to the boat being met or passed and let your passengers know, too. Third, reduce speed as needed to cross the wake. Fourth, trim down to increase control of your boat.
Lastly, watch out for other boats attempting to meet or pass. Make wake crossing a non- event rather than a dangerous venture.
Thanks to Sherrie, we will always remember safe boating is no accident!
If you would like to learn more about vessel safety checks, please contact Steve Hults, Staff Officer for Vessel Examinations at steve.hults@uscgaux.net.
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.