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Water Ways Ray Pendleton |
Boaters should resolve
to be safer in 2004Can you think of a better New Year's resolution for Hawaii's recreational boaters than taking a vow to be safer boaters in 2004?
After all, when anyone goes fishing or sailing offshore of the most isolated island chain in the world, it would seem to be the prudent thing to do.
The proportion of empty ocean to land mass here can quickly turn a minor breakdown into a life-threatening event.
One way island boaters can make their activities safer is to always obey the two new laws passed by our state legislature last year.
The first is the state's adoption of the U.S. Coast Guard's rule regarding life jackets. It requires that all preteen children wear personal floatation devices whenever they are on deck aboard a vessel offshore.
This new law also demands that a PFD must properly fit each child, so just having enough adult life jackets for everyone on board is no longer the standard.
The second law that went into effect Jan. 1 concerns emergency communications. It is now illegal to take most vessels more than a mile offshore without having either a VHF-FM marine radio or an emergency position-indicating radio beacon.
Exceptions are made for canoes, thrill craft, surfboards, paddleboards and kayaks and training sailboats, when accompanied by at least one vessel that complies with the law.
Of course, if boaters truly intend to be safer on the water in the new year, they will also sign up for one of the boating classes presented by the U.S. Power Squadron or Coast Guard Auxiliary this month.
As it has done for a number of years, the Honolulu Sail and Power Squadron will be offering a seven-session course beginning on Jan. 12, at 7 p.m. at the Waikiki Yacht Club located in Ala Moana Park.
This introductory boating course includes classroom lectures and self-study lessons and is free, except for a $25 charge for instruction materials.
The subjects covered at these Monday evening classes begin with basic boat terminology for sail and power craft and then move to boat handling techniques such as casting off, turning, stopping, docking and anchoring.
Next, students are taught basic knot tying, chart reading, course plotting, navigation, and how to use a compass and a marine radio.
The course finishes with instruction on appropriate international, federal and state boating laws and regulations on safety, navigation, emergencies, fire prevention and pollution.
To register or for more information, call Jeff Moore at 395-5080.
For those in the Waianae area, the C.G. Auxiliary will be coming to Leeward Community College, 86-088 Farrington Hwy., Bldg. 101, Jan. 15, to begin its course on Boating Skills and Seamanship.
The eight-week course will be on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6:30 to 8:30. Contact Lucy Gay at 696-6378, ext. 101, for more details.
The C.G. Auxiliary's 13-lesson course at Windward Community College, 45-720 Keaahala Rd., will be begin on Feb. 9 and will be held on Monday and Thursday evenings from 6:30 to 8:30.
Contact Tom Isaak at 234-6916 to register or for more information.
By resolving to take one of these courses, boaters will be safer operators and will often be rewarded by their insurance companies with lower rates as well.
What a way to start the year!
See the Columnists section for some past articles.
Ray Pendleton is a free-lance writer based in Honolulu.
His column runs Saturdays in the Star-Bulletin.
He can be reached by e-mail at raypendleton@mac.com.