A Checklist For Life ➢ Avoid cargo loading docks and “parked” or moored vessels in fleeting areas. There are many Drinking and boating are a LIFELIFE LIFELIFE loading areas, or “terminals,” along the nation’s inland and coastal waterways. Stay clear! deadly mix. ➢ Wear a life jacket at all times. Over 80 percent Designate a lookout, particularly of those killed in boating accidents in recent years for commercial traffic, both day were not wearing life jackets. LINESLINES LINESLINES and night. ➢ Don’t operate a boat Know the rules for visibility and while drinking alcohol or using drugs. abide by them, especially at Safety Tips That It is estimated that night. more than half of all Could Save Your Life recreational boating Avoid ship channels. Cross them fatalities are related to quickly. alcohol. It’s proven that the from America’s Inland and Coastal marine environment compounds At least five or more short whistle the effects of alcohol. Tugboat, Towboat and Barge Operators blasts mean danger. ➢ Watch for ship, tug or towboat lighting at night — don’t rely on trying to hear a vessel approaching. If you have the equipment, listen Pay attention to the sidelights of tugs and tows, to VHF channels 13 and 16. rather than the masthead lights (masthead lights are not displayed by pusher towboats on the Western Wear a life jacket, properly fitted SafetySafety rivers, making it even more critical to keep a sharp and fastened. lookout). If you see both sidelights (red and green), TipsTips ThatThat you’re dead ahead, and in the path of danger. Learn all the navigation rules and ➢ Use safe anchorages. Coast Guard navigation aids, live by them.* CouldCould SaveSave like buoys, mark channels for shipping, and it is *The U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Rules are available illegal and dangerous to tie up to them. Each year from the U.S. Government Printing Office by calling YourYour LifeLife commercial vessels ram and sink boats anchored (202) 512-1800. in navigation channels or tied to buoys. E R W A AT Y S W O N P A E R C I A R T O E R M S A F O N U N D A T I O American Waterways Operators Foundation 801 North Quincy Street, Suite 200 Arlington, Virginia 22203 (703) 841-9300 Fax: (703) 841-0389 www.americanwaterways.com Produced under a grant from the Aquatic Resources (Wallop-Breaux) Trust Fund from America’s Inland and Coastal Produced under a grant from the administered by the from America’s Inland and Coastal Aquatic Resources (Wallop-Breaux) Trust Fund U.S. Coast Guard. Tugboat, Towboat and Barge Operators administered by the U.S. Coast Guard. hile our nation’s inland and What Recreational What Recreational coastal waterways play host Boaters Should Know ➢ “Wheel Wash” is a strong underwater current Boaters Can Do WW caused by towboat or ship engines that can to thousands of recreational result in severe turbulence hundreds of yards behind a large vessel. boats, at the same time, they also ➢ A tug without barges in front could be towing carry barges, tugboats, towboats ➢ Commercial vessels, including towboats and a barge or other objects behind it on a long ➢ For safety, stay out of the path of towboats tugboats, operate 365 days a year, 24 hours a day. submerged line, which lies low in the water and is and barges approaching bridges and locks. and large ships loaded with tons difficult to see. Never pass closely behind a tugboat. They must be lined up and committed to their of cargo. ➢ The speed of a ship, towboat or tugboat can approach well ahead, and it’s dangerous and be deceptive. A tow can travel one mile in seven difficult for them to change course. minutes—a ship even faster—and it generally takes 3/4 to 1-1/2 miles to stop. For example, if a ➢ Designate a lookout. Assign one person in a Being aware of the constraints water skier falls a thousand feet in front of a recreational boat to look out, particularly for moving tug or tow, the skier has less than one commercial traffic. under which these commercial minute to get out of the way. vessels operate can arm ➢ Understand whistle signals. At least five or more ➢ Large vessels must maintain speed to steer, short blasts on the whistle is the “danger” signal. recreational boaters with the and they must stay in the channel—it’s the only Stay clear of vessels sounding the “danger” signal. place deep enough for them to operate. Many best protection against danger channels are unmarked. On some waterways, the ➢ Don’t water ski or jet ski in and around tows. channel extends bank to bank, so expect vessel That’s a risk not worth taking. Jumping wakes, and could save your life! traffic on any portion of the waterway. riding close alongside, or cutting under the bow or stern of a tug or tow could cause a boat or skier ➢ A pilot’s “blind spot” can extend for hundreds ➢ Sailboating on inland rivers can be hazardous, to be sucked through a towboat’s large propellers. This brochure is intended only as of feet in front of tugboats and towboats pushing and sailboaters and wind surfers should know that barges. a tow or tug can “steal your wind”—so you won’t a supplement to other sources of have the same wind you started with when executing a sailing maneuver near a commercial vessel. information on seamanship and ➢ Operating in adverse weather or low visibility can Line of Sight Danger Zone rules of the road. It assumes that prove extremely dangerous. Why take a chance? you, the boat operator, know the ➢ Ships, towboats and tugboats use VHF radio rules and appropriate signals. If channels 13 and 16. If you are unsure of your situation, or their intentions, feel free to contact you don’t, contact the United States them. Remember, you are sharing the waterways with vessels operated by highly trained and Coast Guard concerning boating ➢ In narrow channels, a tug’s or tow’s powerful conscientious professionals. If you have a true engines can cause a smaller vessel to be pulled emergency, or need information, they can and safety training. toward the tow when passing alongside. will help if properly contacted..