I know everyone who has a boat, cannot wait to get into the water, for their first fishing trip. The excitment of launching their boat and catching some fish exceeds some simple little things that should be remembered.
First, its been a long cold winter, and the water is COLD. Bring extra, heavy, winter clothing, and boots. If you venture offshore, its a good idea to have survival suits or at least a stearns work suit onboard. I have had a number of jobs, were boaters broke down, and relied on their cell phone for help....only problem was that their cell phone did not work! Keep blankets and heavy clothing onboard to prevent serious exposure from the elements if you are stuck out on the water for a long period of time.
Second, it happens, and from working on the water for years, and coming to the assistance of boaters, i have seen enough boat owners forget to put the plug into their boats, and they take on water in their bilges. I have seen a handful of sinkings because of this. Make sure the plug is firmly secured. Neither the Coast Guard or the various police agencies that work on the water, enjoy pumping out a boat, especially at this time of the year.
Third, is the common distress call, 'i know i have fuel in my tanks, yet i cannot get my boat started'. And this always seems to happen near the end of the fishing day! Any fuel that is stored in the winter in your tanks should be treated. This is a common early season mishap. Their are a number of fuel additives you can pick up for this. We have already heard of one job like this the other day, so make sure your fuel, and if you have fuel/water separating filters are 'good' before leaving the dock.
Fourth....equipment. You end up taking everything off the boat for the winter, then think you have everything you need for a safey inspection at the start of a season. The DEC, Coast Guard, and various police agencies on the water, all conduct safety checks of boats and always find boaters that are missing a flare kit, distress flag, sound making device or the right number of life perservers. Make a check list, and make sure that items that have a expiration date like flares, are upto date. This is a very easy summons for these law enforcement agencies to hand out. Don't become a number for them.
Fifth....TOWING INSURANCE...have it, and make sure you have enough coverage for the area you boat in. Most marine law enforcement agencies WILL take you in tow, but if you are just broken down, and are not in ANY danger, they can just standby on scene and notify a commercial towing service. Remember, the only obligation of the Coast Guard, or Marine Law Enforcement units is to makesure you and your occupants are safe, and if taken in tow, to tow you to the closest safe location. What this means, is that you can be dropped off at any dock, marina, or pier, and secured, many times, miles from where you berth. They have met their obligation of safely securing you, but you are then left having to arrange for a commercial tow to bring you back to your marina. Law enforcement agencies are not a tow service, and most will conduct a safety inspection at the end of the tow, and might come up with a violation costing you more money in the long run. Check which commercial towing service is in your area and pay the fee for the year. I for one can say, the benefits of this far outweigh the initial cost!
I know this is a redundant theme at this time of the year, but stop and check the first time, so that you are prepaired and do not encounter any of these early season mishaps.
EC NEWELL MAN*
First, its been a long cold winter, and the water is COLD. Bring extra, heavy, winter clothing, and boots. If you venture offshore, its a good idea to have survival suits or at least a stearns work suit onboard. I have had a number of jobs, were boaters broke down, and relied on their cell phone for help....only problem was that their cell phone did not work! Keep blankets and heavy clothing onboard to prevent serious exposure from the elements if you are stuck out on the water for a long period of time.
Second, it happens, and from working on the water for years, and coming to the assistance of boaters, i have seen enough boat owners forget to put the plug into their boats, and they take on water in their bilges. I have seen a handful of sinkings because of this. Make sure the plug is firmly secured. Neither the Coast Guard or the various police agencies that work on the water, enjoy pumping out a boat, especially at this time of the year.
Third, is the common distress call, 'i know i have fuel in my tanks, yet i cannot get my boat started'. And this always seems to happen near the end of the fishing day! Any fuel that is stored in the winter in your tanks should be treated. This is a common early season mishap. Their are a number of fuel additives you can pick up for this. We have already heard of one job like this the other day, so make sure your fuel, and if you have fuel/water separating filters are 'good' before leaving the dock.
Fourth....equipment. You end up taking everything off the boat for the winter, then think you have everything you need for a safey inspection at the start of a season. The DEC, Coast Guard, and various police agencies on the water, all conduct safety checks of boats and always find boaters that are missing a flare kit, distress flag, sound making device or the right number of life perservers. Make a check list, and make sure that items that have a expiration date like flares, are upto date. This is a very easy summons for these law enforcement agencies to hand out. Don't become a number for them.
Fifth....TOWING INSURANCE...have it, and make sure you have enough coverage for the area you boat in. Most marine law enforcement agencies WILL take you in tow, but if you are just broken down, and are not in ANY danger, they can just standby on scene and notify a commercial towing service. Remember, the only obligation of the Coast Guard, or Marine Law Enforcement units is to makesure you and your occupants are safe, and if taken in tow, to tow you to the closest safe location. What this means, is that you can be dropped off at any dock, marina, or pier, and secured, many times, miles from where you berth. They have met their obligation of safely securing you, but you are then left having to arrange for a commercial tow to bring you back to your marina. Law enforcement agencies are not a tow service, and most will conduct a safety inspection at the end of the tow, and might come up with a violation costing you more money in the long run. Check which commercial towing service is in your area and pay the fee for the year. I for one can say, the benefits of this far outweigh the initial cost!
I know this is a redundant theme at this time of the year, but stop and check the first time, so that you are prepaired and do not encounter any of these early season mishaps.
EC NEWELL MAN*
