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TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY-CORPUS
CHRISTI BOATING SAFETY PROGRAM
The goal of the TAMU-CC Boating Safety Program is to ensure the safety and well being of marine operators, passengers and equipment through compliance with the Texas Water Safety Act and United States Coast Guard boating regulations. TEXAS WATER SAFETY ACT Texas Registration and Title: All motorboats and all sailboats 14 feet in length or longer operated on public waters or docked, moored, or stored on public water must be currently registered, properly displaying authorized numbers and validation decal, and titled. All outboard motors must be titled. Exemptions: All canoes, kayaks, punts, rowboats or rubber rafts (regardless of length) when paddled, poled, or oared and sailboats under 14 feet in length when windblown. TEXAS CERTIFICATE OF NUMBER When a vessel which is required to be registered is in operation, the certificate of number (registration) or facsimile thereof must always be aboard and available for inspection by an enforcement officer. The certificate is valid until the expiration date shown thereon. When a certificate is renewed the same number shall be reissued, if application to the Parks and Wildlife Department is made within the 90 day period preceding the expiration date. Display of your number The number awarded a vessel must be painted on, or otherwise attached to each side of the vessel, near the bow, in such position as to provide easy identification. The number shall read from left to right, be in block characters of good proportion not less than three inches in height and be of a color that contrasts with the background. The numerals must be separated from the prefix and the suffix by hyphens or equivalent spaces such as the following example: TX 0123 AB and TX-0123-AB. Federal and State law prohibits any other number from being displayed on either side of the of the bow of the boat. REQUIRED SAFETY EQUIPMENT OPERATING OF VESSELS WITHOUT REQUIRED EQUIPMENT PROHIBITED No person may operate or give permission for the operation of a vessel that is not provided with the equipment required by the Texas Water Safety Act and the TAMUCC Safety Policy. Lifesaving Devices All Personal Floatation Devices (PFD's) must be U.S. Coast Guard approved, in serviceable condition, readily accessible, and of the appropriate size for intended user. University employees/students and their passengers must wear a PFD while the vessel is underway. Underway means not at anchor, made fast to the shore or aground. Vessels 16 feet and longer, excluding canoes and kayaks, are required to be equipped with one Type IV throwable Personal Flotation Device in addition to the Type I, II III or V PFD required for each person on board. Sound Producing Devices Any vessel less than 12 meters in length is required to carry some means to make an efficient sound to signal intentions or position in periods of reduced visibility. Vessels 12 meters (39.4 ft) or more in length are required to carry on board a whistle or horn, and a bell. BOATING REGULATIONS Inspection of Vessels In order to enforce the provisions of the Water Safety Act, game wardens and other peace officers certified as marine safety enforcement officers by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Service, may stop and board and inspect any vessel to determine compliance with applicable provisions. Accidents and Casualities Operators of vessels involved in any collision, accident or other casualty that results in death or injury to any person or property damage exceeding $500 must file a complete report of the accident within 30 days in accordance with Texas Parks and Wildlife regulations. These accident reports are confidential and are not admissible in court as evidence. Report forms may be obtained from the Texas Parks and Wildlife offices, game wardens, or marine safety enforcement officers. NOTE: Operators of University vessels involved in any collision, accident or other casualty that results in death or injury to any person or property damage must file an incident report with the University Environmental Health and Safety Office. Incident forms are available at the Environmental Health and Safety Office. Stop and Render Aid The operator of any vessel involved in a boating accident must stop and render whatever assistance is necessary unless such action would endanger his own vessel, crew or passengers. The operator must give his name, address and vessel identification number in writing to any injured person and to the owner of any damaged property. Failure to do so in an accident that results in death or serious bodily injury is punishable as a Parks and Wildlife Felony. Failure to do so in an accident that does not result in death or serious bodily injury is punishable as a Parks and Wildlife Class A misdemeanor. Mandatory Boater Education Requirements A successfully completed Texas Parks and Wildlife certified boater education course and photo I.D. is required for any person born after September 1, 1984 to operate on the public water of this state a (1)vessel powered by motor of 10 horsepower or more; (2) a windblown vessel over 14 feet in length. EXEMPTIONS: A person is exempt from the mandatory boater education requirement if the person (1) is at least 18 years of age; (2) is accompanied by a person at least 18 years of age who is exempt from the course or who has completed the course; (3) holds a master's, mates, or operators license issued by the U.S. Coast Guard. A University Field Techniques class is recommended for persons unfamiliar with marine operations. OPERATION OF YOUR BOAT It shall be unlawful for any person to:
HURRICANE OBSERVATIONS AND PRECAUTIONS Hurricanes are enormous cyclonic storm systems covering thousands of square miles which usually develop in the tropical or subtropical latitudes during the summer and fall. To be a hurricane, the system must be producing winds of 64 knots or more. Less intense storms are designated tropical depressions or tropical storms. Tropical storms and hurricanes are named to aid in identifying them. Each hurricane is, essentially, an organized system made up of hundreds of individual thunderstorms. The core of the hurricane is called the eye, an area of relatively benign weather several miles across surrounded by turmoil. All of the severe weather conditions produced by individual thunderstorms (heavy rain, hail, lightning, tornadoes, downbursts, etc.) are produced and magnified within the hurricane. Working together, such storms generate tremendous tidal surges which can decimate coastal areas.  Historically, individual hurricanes have caused the loss of thousands of lives and billions of dollars in damage as they ran their course over populated areas. If you know a hurricane is approaching your area, prepare for the worst. The important point is, GET OFF THE OPEN WATER AS FAR AWAY FROM THE STORM AS POSSIBLE! If this is impossible, keep in mind that the right front quadrant of a hurricane usually, but not always produces the most violent weather. With today's modern communication net to warn them, people have a better chance to reach safety before a hurricane hits their area. Even so, you may have little more than 24 hours advance notice to get your boat secured against the storm's full force. If your boat is easily trailerable, store it ashore, far from the danger of high water. Follow these tips:
Berth at a dock which has sturdy pilings and offers reasonable shelter from open water and storm surge. Double up all mooring lines but provide enough slack so your boat can rise with the higher tides. Cover all lines with chafe protectors (double neoprene garden hose cut along the side) at points where the line is likely to wear and put out extra fenders and fenderboards (the more the better).  Anchor your boat in a protected harbor where the bottom can allow a good anchor hold. An advantage to anchoring is that the boat can more easily respond to wind and water changes without striking docks or other boats than when moored. Heavy and extra anchors are needed for this option and enough line should be on hand to allow a scope of at least 10:1 for each anchor.  Hurricane Holes are ideal locations to moor your boat during a hurricane. These are deep, narrow coves or inlets that are surrounded by a number of sturdy trees which block the wind and provide a tie-off for anchor lines. The best location for a hurricane hole is one far enough inland to avoid the most severe winds and tides, yet close enough to reach under short notice. You may want to scout out a satisfactory hurricane hole ahead of time!  Remember:
Obtain the latest available weather forecast for the boating area. Where they can be received, the NOAA Weather Radio continuous broadcasts (VHF-FM) are the best way to keep informed of expected weather and sea conditions. If you hear on the radio that warnings are in effect, don't venture out on the water unless confident your boat can be navigated safely under forecast conditions of wind and sea. While Afloat:
Equipment Requirements
- Safety and Survival Tips for small Boats and Water Activities
Many hunters and anglers do not think of themselves as boaters, but use small semi-v hull vessels, flatbottom jon boats or canoes to pursue their sports. These boats tend to be unstable and easily capsized. Capsizings, sinkings, and falls overboard from small boats account for 70% of boating fatalities and these facts mean you must have a greater awareness of the boat. s limitations and the skill and knowledge to overcome them. Standing in a small boat raises the center of gravity, often to the point of capsizing. Standing for any reason or even changing position in a small boat can be dangerous, as is sitting on the gunwales or seat backs or on a pedestal seat while underway. A wave or sudden turn may cause an occupant to fall overboard or the boat to capsize due to the raised center of gravity. Staying Afloat It is common belief that someone dressed in heavy clothing or waders will sink immediately if they fall overboard. This is not true. Air trapped in clothing provides considerable flotation, and bending the knees will trap air in waders, providing additional flotation. To stay afloat, remain calm, do not thrash about or try to remove clothing or footwear. This leads to exhaustion and increases the loss of air that keeps you afloat. Keep your knees bent, float on your back and paddle slowly to safety. Cold Water Survival Sudden immersion in cold water can induce rapid, uncontrolled breathing, cardiac arrest, and other life threatening situations which can result in drowning. Wearing a PFD will help reduce this condition. If you must enter the water, button up your clothing, wear a PFD, cover your head if possible and enter the water slowly. Hypothermia is the loss of body heat and immersion in cold water accelerates the loss of heat. If your boat capsizes it will likely float on or just below the surface. Outboard powered vessels built after 1978 are designed to support you even if full of water or capsized. To reduce the effects of hypothermia get in or on the boat. Try to get as much of your body out of the water as possible. If you can't get in the boat a PFD will enable you to keep your head out of the water. This is very important because about 50% of body heat loss is from the head. It may be possible to revive a drowning victim who has been under water for considerable time and shows no signs of life. Numerous documented cases exist where victims have been resuscitated with no apparent harmful effects after long immersions. Start CPR immediately and get the victim to a hospital as quickly as possible.
Vessel Condition The operator should assure that a vessel is in top operating condition and that there are no tripping hazards or sharp edges exposed. The vessel should be free of fire hazards and have clean bilges. Loading your Vessel Keep the load low and evenly distributed. Do not exceed the "U.S. Coast Guard Maximum Capacities" label. If there is no capacity label use the following formula to determine the maximum number of persons you can safely carry in calm weather: People = (Length of Boat X Width) 15 Length is determined by measuring a straight line from the foremost to the aftermost part of the vessel, parallel to the centerline, exclusive of sheer. Bowsprits, rudders, outboard motors and similar fittings are not included in the measurement. This formula, however, is applicable only to monohull boats less than 20ft in length. Anchoring To anchor, bring the bow into the wind or current and put the engine in neutral. When the vessel comes to a stop, lower, do not throw, the anchor over the bow. The anchor line should be 5 to 7 times the depth of water. Stern Anchoring  Anchoring a small boat by the stern has caused many to capsize and sink. The transom is usually squared off and has less freeboard than the bow. In a current, the stern can be pulled under by the force of the water. The boat is also vulnerable to swamping by wave action. The weight of a motor, fuel tank, or other gear in the stern increases the risk. Do not anchor by the stern!! Fueling Precautions Fill portable tanks off the vessel. Close all hatches and other openings before fueling. Extinguish smoking materials. Turn off engine(s), all electrical equipment, radios, stoves and other appliances. Wipe up any spilled fuel immediately. Open all hatches to air out the vessel. Run the blower for at least four minutes, and then check the bilges for fuel vapors before starting the engine. NEVER start the engine until all traces of fuel vapors are eliminated. Your nose is the best known vapor detector.  Fuel Management Practice the "One-Third Rule" by using one-third of the fuel going out, one-third to get back and one-third in reserve. Marine Rated Parts Do not use Automotive Parts to replace such items as starters, distributors, alternators, generators, carburetors, fuel pumps, etc., because they are not ignition protected and could cause a fire or explosion. Boat Plan When going on a boating trip, make sure that your supervisor has a complete description of your vessel and other information that will make identification easier should the need arise as well as your departure and estimated time of arrival. See sample form of Float Plan. Weather Check weather warnings and forecasts both before leaving shore and while at sea. Remain watchful for signs of bad weather and listen to NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts on your VHF radio. Aids To Navigation - Roadsigns Of The Waterway Aids to Navigation are placed along coasts and navigable waters as guides to mark safe water and to assist mariners in determining their position in relation to land and hidden dangers. Each is used to provide specific information. Several aids to navigation are usually used together to form a local system that helps the mariner follow natural and improved channels. They also provide a continuous system of charted marks for coastal piloting. Lateral Marks are buoys or beacons that indicate sides of a route to be followed. They follow the traditional 3R rule of "red, right, returning" when returning from seaward and proceeding toward the head of navigation. Along the coast this is generally considered moving southerly along the Atlantic, westerly along the Gulf and northerly along the Pacific. In the Great Lakes it is westerly and northerly, except on Lake Michigan where southerly movement is toward head of navigation system.  The Intracoastal Waterway employs special markings that consist of a yellow square or triangle. When following the conventional direction of buoyage:
The Western River System varies from the standard system in that aids are not numbered. It contains crossing daymarks that indicate where the river channel crosses from one bank to the other. Lights on green aids may be green or white and those on red aids may be red or white. The U.S. Aids to Navigation System is intended for use with nautical charts. The meaning of a particular aid may not be clear unless the appropriate chart is consulted. Publications such as Light Lists and Coast Pilots contain additional, important information. Each Coast Guard District also publishes a Local Notice to Mariners reporting changes to and deficiencies in aids to navigation and other marine information. DO NOT rely on buoys alone to determine your position! 
Be Safe on the Water Know the navigation rules, observe the courtesies of safe boating and  Safety Tips For Trailering Your Boat 
Choose the proper trailer for your boat. More damage can be done to a boat by the stresses of road travel than by normal operation. A boat hull is designed to be supported evenly by water. When transported on a trailer, your boat should be supported structurally as evenly across the hull as possible. This will allow for even distribution of the weight of the hull, engine and equipment. It should be long enough to support the whole length of the hull but short enough to allow the lower unit of the boats engine to extend freely.
Check Before You Go Out On The Highway
 Too much weight on the rear of the trailer will cause the trailer to "fishtail" and may reduce traction or even lift the rear wheels of the tow vehicle off the ground.    Pre-Launching Preparations For the courtesy of others and to prevent rushing, prepare your boat for launching away from the ramp.
Launching
At this point, the boat should be able to be launched with a light shove or by backing off the trailer under power. Finish loading your boat at a sufficient distance from the ramp so others may use it. Retrieval The steps for removing your boat from the water are basically the reverse of those taken to launch it. However, keep in mind certain conditions may exist during retrieval that did not exist during launching. As you approach the takeout ramp, take special care to note such factors as:
Storage Since your boat may be sitting on its trailer for quite some time before it is used again, it is important to store it properly. To avoid damage from sun and weather, cover the boat with a tarp. To remove weight from the wheels, put cinderblocks or wood beams under the tongue and all four corners of the trailer frame. BOATING PLAN File this plan with your departmental supervisor. Do not file this plan with the Coast Guard. 1.Name: ___________________________ Telephone No.: ____________________ 2. Description of Boat: ________________ Type: _______________ Color: ________________ Trim: ____________ Registration No.: ___________________ Length: ______________ Name: ________________ Make: ____________________ Other Info: _______________________________________ 3. Engine Type: ______________________ H.P.: _____________________ No. of Engines: _____________________ Fuel Capacity: _______________ 4. Survival Equipment: (Circle as appropriate) PFDs Flares Mirror Smoke Signals Flashlight Food Paddles Water Others Anchor Raft or Dinghy EPIRB 5. Radio: Circle - Yes No Type: ____________ Freqs.:__________ 6. Automobile License: _____________________ Type: _________________ Trailer License: _______________ Color: _________________ and Make of Auto: ________________ Where Parked: _______________________________________________ 7. No. of Persons Aboard: _________________________ Name Age Address and Telephone Number ___________________ ____ ____________________________ ___________________ ____ ____________________________ ___________________ ____ ____________________________ 8. Do you or any of the persons aboard have a medical problem? Circle Yes No If yes, what? _______________________________ 9. Trip Expectations: Leave at _______________________ am pm From __________________________________ Destination _____________________________ Expect to return by ________am pm and not later than_______ am pm 10. Any other pertinent info.: ____________________________________ _________________________________________________________ 11. If not returned by ________am pm call the COAST GUARD, or the following authority: _______________________________ 12. Telephone Numbers: Name Telephone Number COAST GUARD** 937-1898 Marine and Air Emergency Other authority __________________ **Your local Coast Guard number can be found in the emergency section or blue section of your phone book. |