A Touch of Frost – Jul. 3. 2013 – Boating Safety & Some Thoughts Hi Folks, We’re approaching the July 4 holiday and weekend and I’m sure lots of my readers will be doing some boating, if not this week, certainly at some point over the summer. Here are a couple of convenience/safety notions to bear in mind that can save you heartache, aggravation and even money. Function - 1. If you are boating on a runabout, cabin cruiser or sailboat that is anywhere from 15’ to 60’, or larger, before getting under way remove and stow all jewelry such as rings, wristwatches and dangly type earrings. Also, remove and stow everything from your pants pockets, like wallets, keys, money clips, loose change, etc. 2. Secure all removed personal items in a adequately size pouch – preferably one with a zipper, not Velcro, and stow it in a secure place down below on the vessel. Explanation - The salt particles in seawater and sea air are everywhere you might put your hands on a boat and they are like tiny ball bearings. Rings can so easily loosen and slip off fingers in a nanosecond. I’ve seen engagement and wedding rings and irreplaceable family heirlooms go splashing into the deep because simple precautions were not taken. Boats have rigging of various sorts, sail boats in particular, and it’s very easy for dangly earrings to get caught on a section of rigging while one is moving about a vessel or participating in a sailing evolution. You can envision the painful results. The same holds true for wristwatches that can easily get snagged on a section of rigging, yanked off the wrist and go splashing into the deep. I’ve seen it happen. Items in pockets are likewise vulnerable. How many times have you pulled your hand out of a pocket only to have an item or two inadvertently come out with your hand and drop to the ground or floor. Well, just envision something like than happening on a boat but instead of a nice piece of floor or ground to fall onto it splashes into the deep. I’ve seen it happen – including to myself. About 30 years ago my older daughter gave me a beautiful pocket watch. One day while single-handling my Pearson 26 on the Great South Bay off Long Island, NY, I reached into my pocket to get something and when my hand came out so did the beautiful watch, accidently. It bounced off the boat’s gunwale and into bay. I still can’t forgive myself for not heeding my own advice. I know what I’m talking about. I’ve been a waterman all of my long life, have owned, been on and handled boats of all sizes and makes, owned a 26 foot sailboat for 10 years and I was a Merchant Seaman in my youth. If you need to have something loose in your pocket secure it to you belt or belt loop with a lanyard – a small but strong line like Trick Line (Film folks will know what that is. Civilians, log onto filmtools and write Trick Line in the search window and you’ll find out). Anyone needing further explanation contact me at anytime for a primer. I’ll be glad to help you. A serious admonition about drinking while on a boat under way - A beer, a cocktail, a glass or wine once in a while on a boat underway is OK. But don’t get drunk or even tipsy, and don’t let anyone else get drunk or tipsy. On the water is no place for boozing, though I know lots of folks do it. If those who do haven’t been in a serious boating accident or drowned by now they are indeed living on borrowed time and the Grim Reaper will collect. Operating a boat under the influence is as dangerous and stupid as driving a car while under the influence and there will be loads of stupid people out on the water over the next few days. So - keep a sharp look-out for erratic or otherwise irresponsible boating activity. If you see something that looks dangerous, say something. Call the US Coast Guard or the Marine Police immediately. Calmly identify your location and describe what you see. General Safety onboard a boat - Boat owners must have a PDF - Personal Flotation Devise (wearable – not just a cushion) for every person on their vessel. It’s the Law and it’s good common sense. A PDF might not look so cool on you and it might cover up those muscles you guys have been working on all winter but drowning isn’t so cool either. If you are new to boating, research the different kinds of PDFs on line, or drop into a marine supply store for look-see and some advice. There are several West Marine stores throughout the Charleston area. Have fun this weekend and Be Safe - Be Smart - Be Serious. Remember those who protect us - While you’re wolfing down hotdogs, hamburgers and whatnot, take a few moments to think about our fighting men and women overseas in Afghanistan. I’m sure most unit commanders over there have some kind of celebration in store for their troops, but whatever they have will be nothing like home, family and friends. Give a lot of thought and thanks to our wounded veterans, the men and women who have lost parts of their bodies in battle, and to the fighting men and women who will remain forever young, who will never be coming home. I’m sure everyone by now has heard about the tragic deaths of the 19 Hot Shot Forest Firefighters in Arizona this week. Think about the men and women throughout America who put their lives on the line everyday so that the rest of us can live and thrive in peace and relative security – policemen, firefighters, EMTs, merchant seamen, construction tradesmen, and other professionals who take huge risks in order to protect and serve. The motto of the Arizona Hot Shots unit that fell victim to the massive forest fire can apply to all those brave folks – “Duty - Integrity – Respect.” May God Bless Them, one and all. Respect and enjoy the magic of life every day and learn from it. And by all means, be safe out there. Devotedly, Frost Stop – Look – Listen
Posted on: Wed, 03 Jul 2013 13:20:46 +0000
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