Boating Skills and Seamanship

Introduction Part One: Basic Skills and Seamanship Chapter 1 Which Boat is For You? Boaters’ Language Types of Boats Types of Propulsion Hull Design Sailboats Uses of Boats Boatbuilding Materials Your Intended Use Marine Surveyors Buying a Boat Ways to Learn More Practice Questions Chapter 2 Equipment for Your Boat Requirements for Your Boat Fire Prevention and Detection Your Boat’s Equipment Legal Considerations Ways to Learn More Practice Questions Chapter 3 Trailering Your Boat Legal Considerations Practical Considerations The Towing Vehicle Trailer Hitches Balancing the Load Handling Your Trailer Predeparture Checks Preparing to Launch Launching Retrieving Storing Your Boat and Trailer Theft Prevention Aquatic Nuisance Species Float Plan Ways to Learn More Practice Questions Chapter 4 Handling Your Boat Leave with a Full Fuel Tank Fueling Your Boat Your Boat’s Propeller Steering Twin Screws Outboard and Stern-Drive Installation and Tilt Adjustment Jet Drives Loading Your Boat Getting Started Man Overboard Docking Mooring to a Permanent Anchor Anchoring Towing a Skier Heavy Weather Impaired Visibility Narrow Inlets Small Boat Safety Running Aground Environmental Concerns Ways to Learn More Practice Questions Chapter 5 Your “Highway” Signs Buoyage Systems Waterway Marks How Waterways Are Marked Light Characteristics Chart Symbols Light Structures Lights on Bridges Electronic Aids to Navigation Navigation Publications Ways to Learn More Practice Questions Chapter 6 The Rules of the Nautical Road Two Sets of Rules To Whom Do the Rules Apply? Vessel Definitions The General Responsibility Rule General Considerations Conduct in Narrow Channels Traffic Separation Schemes Stand-On or Give-Way? Rules for Special Vessels Risk of Collision Bend Signals Restricted Visibility Vessel Lights and Shapes Distress Signals Homeland Security Measures Courtesy and Safety Drawbridges Penalties Ways to Learn More Practice Questions Chapter 7 Inland Boating Inland Waters Inland Navigation Inland Seamanship River Currents Maintaining Inland Waterways Dams Locks River Charts Commercial Traffic Before You Go Ways to Learn More Practice Questions Chapter 8 Boating Safety Small Boat Safety Personal Watercraft Water Risks Powerboats and Sailboats Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Weather Ways to Learn More Practice Questions Part Two: More Boating Skills Chapter 9 Introduction to Navigation Nautical Charts Ship’s Compass Fixing Your Position Sources of Compass Error Correcting a Compass Reading Finding Your Position Speed-Time-Distance Dead Reckoning Tides Electronic Navigation GPS Operation Practice Your Art A Further Invitation Ways to Learn More Practice Questions Chapter 10 Powering Your Boat Types of Marine Engines Selecting a Propeller Induction Systems Ignition Systems Flame Arresters Cooling Systems Gasoline Considerations Batteries Maintenance Winterizing Your Boat Spring Fitting Out Troubleshooting Ways to Learn More Practice Questions Chapter 11 Lines and Knots for Your Boat Line or Rope? Rope Materials Rope Construction Measuring Rope Care of Rope Making Up a Line Knots, Bends, and Hitches Splices Securing Lines Lead Lines Dipping the Eye Ways to Learn More Practice Questions Chapter 12 Weather and Boating Weather Information Wind and Boating Understanding Weather Nonfrontal Weather The Go, No-Go Decision Ways to Learn More Practice Questions Chapter 13 Your Boat’s Radio Communications on the Water Functions of Radiotelephones Licenses Selecting Your VHF-FM Radio Installation Operating Your VHF-FM Copies of the Rules Calling Another Station Procedure Words Phonetic Alphabet Routine Radio Check Distress, Urgency, and Safety Calls Crew Training Ways to Learn More Practice Questions Appendices Appendix A: Your Responsibilities as a Boat Operator Appendix B: Float Plan Form and Boating Emergency Guide Appendix C: Boating Accident Report Form Appendix D: Digital Selective Calling (DSC) Radio Fact Sheet and MMSI Registration Form Appendix E: Metric Conversion Tables Appendix F: Vessel Safety Check Appendix G: Join the Coast Guard Auxiliary Appendix H: Become an Associate Member Appendix I: Preventive Boat Maintenance Checklist Answer Key Glossary Index