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Safety And Communications
Safety
Out on the water, we all come to share the experience
of water and wind, and to share in the comraderie of
our unique small boats. We all hope for clear skies
and 10 knots of wind, but sometimes Mother Nature has
other things in mind. While the Puget Sound is relatively
protected, you are still sailing on some fairly big
water with active tides and a history of getting pretty
rough in the right conditions. As such, it is important
that every participant, or sailor in general, take some
basic precautions and think about how they will deal
with situations that may arise.
While we will all be there to help each other, it is
important that everyone feel comfortable handling their
own boat in a variety of conditions. These group gatherings
are, however, a great opportunity for less experienced
boaters to learn and expand their sailing and cruising
horizons without having to worry about all the details.
Make sure you bring enough gas for your outboard should
you be required to motor the entire way. The rule of
thumb for gas is 1/3 going out, 1/3 coming in, and 1/3
reserve. Additionaly, I would suggest the following:
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Buddy Up
Find a buddy boat if you are nervous about any
part of the trip, and agree to stay with each
other. Stay in visual and radio contact and help
each other if needed.
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Know Your Abilities
If you don't feel comfortable sailing at some
particular time, then don't do it because others
are: Drop your sails and motor for a bit.. Reef
early. You are here to have a good time and not
race or follow others just for the sake of doing
it
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Be Legal
It is the captains responsibility to have their
craft in compliance with all applicable laws.
You will be sailing on a well used commercial
waterway, and the Coast Guard could legally board
your craft and conduct a spot inspection.
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Gear
You may want to have some or all of the following on
your boat (this list is not comprehensive!):
- VHF Radio
- Reef Points
- FRS Radio
- Appropriate Charts
- Navigation Lights
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- Anchor
- PFD's
- Radar Reflector
- Compass
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- Motor
- Harness
- Dingy
- USCG approved signaling device
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Communications
VHF Radio
While not absolutly neccesarry, it is a good idea to
have at least one method of communicating with the rest
of the group, and as a default I would recommend VHF.
If you are not familiar with the protocol for hailing
people on VHF, then you should review your Chapmans
or other appropriate guide on how to and which channells
should be utilized. In general, we usually pick a "working
channel" in advance, such that people either scan
it or change to it when we communicate. I generally
hail on both 16 and the working channel when working
with the group.
FRS Radios
FRS Radios are a great way to have quick comunications
between the group members. They are not regulated as
much as VHF, so they are more like having walkie-talkies,
and if we pick our channels right then we don't have
other people sharing our frequencies and thus there
is little chance of a radio collision.
Cell Phones
Cell phones generally work great in the Puget Sound,
and those that have them should definitly bring them
along. In an emergency, dial 9-1-1 and the appropriate
athoriwill be notified.
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