Maneuvering
around obstacles, such a traps and buoys, is one of the first basic skills a
boat captain must build. It’s a skill that requires proper training, smart
safety practices and paying attention on the water.
Receiving
Proper Training for Maneuvering Your Vessel
Captains can
meet the challenges of staying clear of obstacles in the water by first securing
proper training in marine navigation and maneuvering methods, and then getting
plenty of practice on water.
Some of the basic boating skills to
traverse safely on the water and avoid obstacles include:
- docking;
- maintaining control
over speed;
- performing a pivot
turn;
- learning how to
hold position;
- how to approach a
buoy;
- how to stop when at
high speed;
- anchoring; and
- backing up.
Learning how
to perform each of these skills well can help you avoid the myriad obstacles
captains face, such a traps, fishing lines, buoys, divers, etc. If you need
extra training in vessel handling, check the National Maritime Center’s listing
of approved course providers or contact your local authorities for training
resources.
Helpful Rules to Avoid Lobster
Traps
Lobster traps
are a huge issue for captains; there are more than 3 million pots in Maine
waters alone each season, according to Buck’s Harbor Marine. These traps are
the mainstay for many local lobstermen.
Yes, it’s
rather intimidating to travel through waters polka-dotted with tons of buoys.
But, as Buck’s Harbor Marine encourages, this shouldn’t deter you because, “after
all, the lobster boats get around, don't they? It just takes a careful hand on
the wheel and throttle.”
You’ll have
to learn how to stay clear of them for safety reasons and to avoid angering
other hardworking mariners. Maine Coast
Guide recommends a few tips to steer clear of lobster traps:
- Pass through any
same-colored buoys at regular intervals that you see, rather than mixed
colors. (This is
safe because the potwarp between them is all on the bottom.)
- Avoid passing
between the toggle and its companion buoy (because the warp between them is
shallow.)
- Be aware of the
current and only pass nearby buoys when you’re downwind from them.
- If approaching a buoy,
immediately switch to neutral.
Mastering the Boating Basics
The take-away
is to be aware and keep your eyes open at all times for obstacles. Maine Coast
Guide explains, “Your first -- and best -- line of defense is to stay alert and
steer around the buoys. In many places, it’s like weaving your way through a
mine field. Turn off your autopilot and adjust your itinerary to avoid running
inshore at night.”
Captains should master the basics and
remember to:
- practice good marine
navigation procedures and follow all boating and navigation rules;
- control their speed
in crowded areas; and
- know how to man
their vessels safely before
traversing obstacle-laden waters.
Mariner
Resource for Record Keeping
If you are in
need of regulation logbooks for your vessel, please check out our selection of
materials in our My Vessel Logs shop. For questions or to order, call 888-468-3757.
You also may place your orders online.