Boating Lessons: Avoiding Submerged Objects

Submerged objects present a real danger to boaters. If you hit a submerged object while boating, you may pierce the hull of your vessel or harm your engine(s) or propeller. Common objects to look out for are logs, branches, crab pots and other debris.

To avoid submerged objects, your best defense is to maintain a proper lookout. The Steering and Sailing Rules, Rule 5, of the Coast Guard Navigation Rules states that "Every vessel shall at all times maintain a proper lookout by sight and hearing as well as by all available means appropriate in the prevailing circumstances and conditions so as to make a full appraisal of the situation and of the risk of collision."

Simply put, this means keep a sharp lookout for objects in the water. If more than one person is aboard your boat, assign them the task of lookout and ask them to report everything they see to you. Two sets of eyes are better than one.

Before sunrise, after sunset and in adverse conditions, proceed at a safe speed. Avoid full speed in the dark. In Part B, Steering and Sailing Rules, Section 1 of the Coast Guard Navigation Rules, Rule 6 states that "Every vessel shall at all times proceed at a safe speed so that she can take proper and effective action to avoid collision and be stopped within a distance appropriate to the prevailing circumstances and conditions." Meaning... slow down in the dark or adverse conditions so that if you are in danger of collision, you can stop or turn away before it happens.

By maintaining a proper lookout and proceeding at a safe speed, you should be able to avoid hitting submerged objects. Tomorrow, I will discuss the steps every boater should know and take if they hit a submerged object.

Related Articles

• Maintaining a Proper Lookout

• Operating at a Safe Speed

Boating Lessons is an About.com Powerboating weekly feature designed to provide busy boaters with short tips and instruction about boat maintenance, boating safety, navigation, boat handling and more. To receive Boating Lessons and all Powerboating blogs automatically, sign up for the Powerboating RSS feed. For boating news and information delivered directly to your inbox, sign up for the weekly Powerboating e-Newsletter.