By Ankita Tripathy
What should you do to avoid colliding with another boat? This is one of the most asked questions that people have come across in the boating or marine industry. Even though it might seem a bit simple to other people, especially the ones who are not a member of the sea route industries, the answer to that is a bit tricky.
One of the things that most people do not understand is that when you are at sea, it can be difficult to assume the dangers. Because you are traveling over the unknown. That is the reason why I have decided to explain certain things related to the issue.
So, if you are someone who has been seeking the answer to what should you do to avoid colliding with another boat, keep on reading this article till the end…
What Should You Do To Avoid Colliding With Another Boat?
In case you are new to the marine industry or have started to take a liking to boats, one of the most important things that you should think about is what should you do to avoid colliding with another vessel.
So, if you have been looking for the answers and the tips to “what should you do to avoid colliding with another boat,” you have come to the right place. Here are some of the tips that you should follow to avoid an unfortunate event of a collision:
1. Be Aware Of The Surrounding
When you are out in the ocean, river, or lake, one of the most important things that you have to do is to be aware of the surroundings. Always maintain a watch while you are boating.
If you think that the area where you are boating is covered with fog, ensure that you maintain a watch while standing. This will ensure that you are able to thoroughly check your surroundings. This is one of the best ways in which you can avoid collision with another boat.
2. Stay Away From The Shipping Lanes
Another thing that you should keep in mind is that you must stay away from the shipping lanes. Avoid boating the shipping lanes at all costs. This is because the shipping lanes are the spots where the bigger vessels or ships stop. So they might not be able to change their course even after they see your boat.
A yes, do not think about overtaking a larger boat or ship. That is not a smart way of boating. The universal rule is to ensure that smaller boats must give way to larger water vessels.
You May Like To Read This: Here’s What You Have to Know before Buying a Boat
3. Keep The Navigation Rules In Mind
I cannot stress this point enough. The navigation rules are there for a reason. All water vessels are supposed to follow the navigation rules and must adhere to the aids if you want to avoid a collision with another boat.
While learning to boat, you must pay extra attention to the navigation rules. There are several crucial things that you can learn from them. One of the most important things that you will be able to learn from the navigation rules is the signals. The importance, you ask?
Suppose a sailboat is underway in the fog. What sound signal should you hear? This is something that you will know if you learn the navigation rules.
4. Watch Your Speed
One of the most important thighs that you have to do while boating is maintaining speed. You might think that a little adventure does not hurt anyone, but trust me when I say this— you would not know when you are too close to the damage.
An accident at sea can be dangerous and life-threatening. That is the reason why you should always watch your speed while boating. In that way, you can also boat away from a particular direction when you see another boat approaching yours at a higher speed.
Remember, it can get difficult to change the course of the boat if the speed is high. But that won’t be a problem in the case of a slower-paced boat.
5. Be Vigilant
Since you are at sea, you must be extra vigilant and cautious of everything around you. That is especially the case if you are going boating on a sunny day. This is because the reflections of the sun on the water, as well as the sunlight, can hurt your eyes.
When this happens, you can easily come across an unfortunate and unforeseen situation. It can get difficult for you to ensure that you are able to look clearly at the horizon. Thus, you should maintain extra safety and follow the tips that have been mentioned above.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
Now that you have come to almost the end of this article, I hope almost all your doubts are cleared. Nevertheless, here are some of the questions that readers frequently ask. Why don’t you go through them once before leaving?
Ans: The most important thing that you should do in case of a boat collision is to inform the Master of the ship of the collision and the details of the incident. Next, you must ensure that you have informed the engine room about the same.
Ans: The first thing that you should do in case of a boat collision with another boat is to ensure safety. Check whether any of the members on the boat have been hurt or have gone missing.
Ans: The answer to this question is simple— both the captains are equally responsible in such situations. Both the captains share the duty of ensuring that neither of them collides with each other, so in case of the unfortunate event of a collision, both captains are equally at fault.
Ans: If you want to avoid boat collisions, then there are a few things that you can do. Here are the three tips that you should keep in mind when you are trying to avoid a boat collision:
1. Stay clear of the lanes.
2. Be extremely aware.
3. Do not boat when you are not sober.
Wrapping It Up!
Boating is one of the most popular sports in the world. It is also one of the most important means of occupation in many parts of the world. That is the reason why it is important to ensure that you are able to avoid collisions with another boat.
If you were searching for the answer to “what should you do to avoid colliding with another boat,” I hope that you have found this article to be of help. If there are any other queries related to the same, feel free to write them down in the comment box below.
Till then, row safely!
Read Also:
