Boating Etiquette

With the numbers of fishing, recreational, professional and sea faring vessels around today, you would expect for there to be certain rules and regulations that govern the usage of our waterways, and the great oceans. Some of these rules are passed thru by various forms of state and national legislation, while others have been ratified and enforced by international bodies. There is a third set of rules, which though unwritten, is just as important, and is governed by common sense.

Though these rules are designed to make our watery ventures safer, it is the culture of those unwritten rules which defines how we interact with each other on the water. As with the norm of life, boating also requires that you think before you act, as well as having a degree of understanding and appreciation of others. In doing so, boating becomes a pleasurable experience for everyone around you, including yourself. "Do unto others as you do unto yourself".

Underway

Lets stop and think about the Do's and Don'ts of getting underway. Overtaking slower vessels in open water should be done at a reduced speed, at a reasonable distance, so as not create a huge wake and cause rocking of the other boat.

Sail boats have right of way, in as they are less maneuverable than power boats and steerage and reaction times are low. When overtaking them, always try to do so well to leeward, so as not to block their wind.

If you boat fish, the boat ramp is not the place to put the bungs in, to remove trailer lights, or to take tie-downs off and connect fuel lines. It should be done well back from the boat ramp, within the parking area, so as to not clog up the ramp.

You may have a tendency to high power the boat out of the ramp area to warm the motor up. Keep the speed down, especially around moored vessels. When approaching other boats on the open water, be aware of any diving flags, as divers may be in the water. Be aware of other boat's anchor lines, as well as fishing lines in the water, so as not to inadvertently tangle, rip or cut the lines and inconvenience others. When anchoring, it may be tempting to to ride another boats berley trail. It is not permissible in the etiquette of boat fishing.

If you leave an area where other boats are anchored, drive off slowly. Your back wash will disturb other boats, as well as putting fish off the bite.

Anchoring

Always traverse Boat Ramp areas at a slow speed. There are speed restrictions governing the ingress and egress of boating facilities. A large backwash from a speeding boat can cause havoc for anchored boats, and remember, you ARE responsible for that backwash !

The rule "First Come, First Serve" also applies to boating, in as much as your right to a mooring, anchorage or fishing spot. This also means that you shouldn't get to close to another anchored boat, for fear of tangling anchor and fishing lines, or boats giving each other the proverbial knock or two.