| Share the Water - Boating Safety Tips |
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| Boating Safety Tips |
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Commercial ships, because of their size, are allowed only in the deep-draft navigational channel. Consequently, these vessels always have the right of way. Their size also makes it difficult for them to slow or maneuver quickly. Recreational watercraft and sailboarders can share the channel safely by observing the following.
 Boat on the starboard (right) side of the channel.
Be visible and vigilant. If it is dark or foggy, carry a radar reflector as high on the boat as possible. Make sure your navigation lights are bright and not obscured by anything.
Keep a close watch.
Monitor ship lights. Pay attention to the sidelights rather than the masthead lights. If you see both sidelights, you are dead ahead --move out fast!
Don't pass too closely behind a tug. You may encounter tow cables and log rafts low in the water.
Know whistle signals. Five or more short blasts on the whistle mean "DANGER." Check, and if the signal is for you, make way quickly.
Use safe anchorages, not buoys. Coast Guard buoys mark where you must pass. It is illegal and unsafe to tie up to them.
Large vessel movements create a suction or undertow effect along the shore. Beach your boat as high as possible and avoid mooring to pile dikes and jetties.
Steer clear of large vessels. Don't jump wakes, ride close alongside or cut under bow or stern.
A large vessel can "steal your wind." Don't expect to have the same wind you started with when executing a sailing maneuver near a ship or tug. That includes sailboards as well as boats.
 Anglers beware! If you are fishing in the channel, you MUST move when a barge or large ship approaches. You will be cited for blocking the channel -- and you endanger yourself -- if you don't
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