The big ocean is beautiful, but it's also important to be careful. If you go out on the water, whether you're a very experienced sailor or just sailing for fun, you need to know how to stay safe and avoid bumping into other boats. This knowledge is the most important thing for being safe on the water. It helps keep people alive, boats in good shape, and the ocean clean. Let's talk about the important things that help you travel safely and not crash.
The Basics: Reading Maps (Paper and Computer)
To travel safely on the water, you need to know how to read maps of the ocean. These maps tell you important things about the water and help you plan a safe way to go. You can have these maps on paper or on a computer system.
Paper Maps: Knowing the Old Way
Even though many boats use computers now, it's still important to know how to read a paper map. It helps you really understand the signs, short words, lines, numbers, and pictures that show you things like how deep the water is, where to find help (like lights and floating markers), and dangers (like sunken boats or shallow spots). If you know how to read a paper map, you can:
- See Important Things: Know what different signs mean, like land, water, how deep it is, where to find help, and things to watch out for.
- Understand Depth and Land Under Water: Read the numbers that tell you how deep the water is and the lines that show you how the land looks under the water, so you don't go into shallow places.
- Use Lines to Find Your Way: Know how to use the lines on the map to find exactly where you are and to draw the path you want to take.
- Measure Directions and How Far Away Things Are: Use tools to find the direction of things on land and measure how far apart places are.
- Know About the Water Going Up and Down: Look at charts that tell you how high or low the water will be at different times.
- Keep Your Maps Updated: Make sure your maps have the newest information about changes to lights, new dangers, and rules.
Computer Maps: Using Technology to Help
Computer systems for maps are very helpful. They show you the map, radar, other boats, and more, all in one place. But you can't just depend on these computers without knowing how they work. It can be dangerous. To use these computer maps well, you need to:
- Understand the Different Things You Can See: Know how to change what you see on the screen so it shows you what you need without being too crowded.
- Use the Computer Tools: Be good at using things like planning your path, seeing warnings automatically, and finding your location.
- Double-Check Information: Always make sure the information on the computer is correct by looking at other things, like paper maps and what you see with your eyes.
- Know What the Computer Can and Can't Do: Remember that the computer might have wrong information, the sensors might stop working, or the software might have problems.
- Have Backup Plans: Always have paper maps and other ways to find your way if the computer stops working.
- Get Good Training: Learn how to use the specific computer system on your boat and all the things it can do.
Your Eyes and Ears: Using Radar and AIS
Tools like radar and AIS help you see what's around you, even if you can't see it with your eyes. This is very important for not crashing into other boats.
Radar: Seeing What You Can't See
Radar uses radio waves to find things that are far away, especially when you can't see well because of fog, rain, or darkness. To use radar well, you need to:
- Know How Radar Works: Understand how it sends out signals and what it can and can't do (like not seeing things that are very close, things hidden by waves, or rain).
- Set It Up Right: Adjust the controls so you can see things clearly without too much clutter from the sea or rain.
- Find and Watch Other Boats: Know how to tell different things apart (like boats, land, and storms) and watch how they are moving.
- Decide if You Might Crash: Use the radar to see if another boat is getting too close and you might hit it.
- Use It With Other Tools: Understand how the radar information works with the maps and AIS to give you a full picture.
AIS: Sharing Who You Are and Where You're Going
AIS is a system that automatically tells other boats and stations on land who you are, where you are, which way you're going, how fast you're going, and other things. To use AIS well, you need to:
- Understand What AIS Tells You: Know how to read the information it shows, like the boat's name, its ID number, where it is, which way it's going, how fast, and what kind of boat it is.
- Use AIS to See What's Around: Find other boats near you, see how they are moving, and know if there's a chance you might crash.
- Remember AIS Isn't Always Perfect: Know that the information is only as good as what the other boat puts in and if their equipment is working right.
- Know What AIS Doesn't Show: Be aware that not all boats have AIS, and smaller boats might not show up.
- Use AIS Carefully: Make sure your own boat's AIS is set up correctly and sending out the right information.
The Rules of the Road: Knowing COLREGS
COLREGS are international rules that everyone on the water must follow to avoid crashes. It's very important to know and follow these rules. Some important parts of COLREGS are:
- Steering and Sailing Rules: These rules say who has to move out of the way in different situations (when you're coming straight at another boat, crossing its path, or going faster and catching up).
- Lights and Shapes: These rules tell you what lights and shapes boats need to show at night or when you can't see well, so other boats know what kind of boat they are and what they are doing.
- Sound and Light Signals: These rules say what sounds and lights boats should use to tell other boats what they plan to do or to warn them.
- Help Signals: These rules show you the signals that mean a boat is in danger and needs help.
- Everyone is Responsible: Even if you follow the rules, you are still responsible if you are not careful or if you don't do what a normal, careful sailor would do in a specific situation.
People Being Careful: Safe Watchkeeping
Even with all the new technology, it's still very important for people to be careful and watch what's happening. Good watchkeeping means always paying attention to what's around you and being ready to act quickly if something dangerous happens. Some important things for safe watchkeeping are:
- Looking Out Properly: Always look around with your eyes, listen, and use all the tools you have (radar, AIS) to see what's going on.
- Changing Watches Carefully: When one person takes over from another, the person leaving needs to tell the new person everything important about the situation, like where you're going, how fast, what other boats are nearby, and any dangers.
- Being Ready to Work: Make sure the people watching are rested, awake, and not drinking alcohol or taking drugs.
- Working Together on the Bridge: Use all the tools, information, and people on the boat's control area to make good decisions.
- Talking Clearly: Make sure everyone on the boat and other boats can understand each other easily.
- Responding to Warnings: If any alarms go off from the equipment, react quickly and correctly.
- Keeping Records: Write down where the boat goes, what it does, and any important things that happen.
- Changing How You Watch Based on the Situation: Be more careful when it's hard to see, there are many boats around, the sea is rough, or other things are happening.