If you are relatively new to boating and are trying to build your information reservation for how to handle various maritime encounters, one of the first things you should be learning about is how to approach large wakes. Having an understanding of how to control your boat when you end up in a situation where you are dealing with rough New York waters is critical to your ability to keep yourself and your crew safe.
As you welcome members to your crew, it is important to give them adequate training so they are aware of how to handle various scenarios before they are in a situation and unaware of how to proceed without making the circumstances more dangerous. Reviews of training material are necessary so you can assess how well your crew understands the protocols for dealing with large wakes.
According to the Boating Magazine, as soon as you recognize large wakes in the distance and you know that they are unavoidable, you should disclose the situation to anyone aboard your boat. Encourage them to find a stable place to sit and to hold on to something. It is strongly discouraged to allow anyone to sit in front of the helm as an impact with the water could make your unsuspecting passengers fall out of the vessel. You should also remember to approach wakes with a modest distance to allow yourself enough time to lower your speed just enough to ease the impact of the water hitting the boat.
The information in this article is intended for educational purposes only and should not be taken as legal advice.
Subscribe To This Blog’s Feed