On our Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/rexmarine.norwalkcove we are counting down the days till we get back on the water. Now is a great time to start learning all you can about the safe operation of a boat. We go out on our boat to enjoy ourselves, leave our worries behind and spend time with family and friends. That however does not excuse us from being prudent mariners. To legally operate any boat with an engine, other than a personal watercraft, or a sailboat 191⁄2 feet in length or longer, in the State of Connecticut, you must obtain a Safe Boating Certificate. This includes anyone using Connecticut waters more than 60 days in a year. Operators of a personal watercraft, regardless of state residency, must possess a Certificate of Personal Watercraft Operation to operate on Connecticut waters.
There are hundreds of classes offered every year through out the boating season by dozens of organizations. It is your responsibility as a boater to take one (or more) of these course to become certified. You can find listings of all current classes on the DEP website at; http://dep.state.ct.us/rec/boating/boatclass.asp. Here you will find links to private, state and federal programs. The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, Flotilla 72 in Norwalk has several classes scheduled for everything from one day Boaters Certificates to Advanced Coastal Navigation, they can be reached by calling 203-838-1200. There are also Flotillas in Stamford, Fairfield, Stratford and Milford as well, who offer the same classes. In these classrooms you will find some of the most knowledgeable mariners in the world and what’s more, they are all volunteers dedicated to helping you find that enjoyment out on the water.
Whether a watersports enthusiast, fisherman, sailor or hunter, you need to know the Rulse of the Road. Even a Kayaker or River Crew Rower should take a safe boating class and become familiar with the boating basics. For instance, many times fishermen can be found anchored in the channel on a running tide looking for that perfect spot to drop their line, this is illegal to do. Rule 9 of the Federal Navigation Rules states; a vessel engaged in fishing shall not impede the passage of any other vessel navigating within a narrow channel or fairway. On a sunny afternoon you may find kayakers, sailboats or windsurfers taking a leisurely sail zigzagging their way up the channel figuring they should have right of way. However they too may be wrong. Rule 9 also states that a vessel of less than 20 meters in length or a sailing vessel shall not impede the passage of a vessel which can safely navigate only within a narrow channel or fairway and A vessel shall not cross a narrow passage or fairway if such crossing impedes the passage of a vessel which can safely navigate only within such channel or fairway.
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The Navigation Rules are much like the rules of the road on the highway. They establish a consistent way to navigate safely and avoid collisions when two boats are crossing paths, are on course to meet head-on, or when one boat wishes to overtake another. A thorough understanding of these rules is required to become a licensed captain but not to obtain your state boaters certificate. You should however at least make a quick study of these rules and have a copy on board at all times. Remember these basics; keep to the right when in the channel whenever possible. If you are going to turn in front of another boat, do it well in advance and quickly to allow the other boat plenty of time to maneuver. Anytime you are unsure of who is the give way vessel, remember “turn to his stern”. Leave the automobile mentality at home, there is no need to be first on the water, you are out there to enjoy yourself, remember? Slow down to minimum speed when within 100’ of any vessel, and lastly, become familiar with the required lights and sound signals, they are an important part of the rules. To download a copy of the U.S. Coast Guard's Nav Rules for yourself, go to http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/mwv/navrules/navrules.htm and “Boat Smart from the Start”.
