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Windsurfing Safety
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General Sailing
Safety / Rules of the water
1. Starboard
(right) has right of way over Port (left) and must maintain
course, i.e. don't swerve.
- If your right hand is closest to the
mast, then you are sailing starboard -"Yell
Starboard".
- If your left hand is closest to the
mast, then you are sailing port.
2. Overtaking vessels must
yield
3. When on the same reach
the downwind sailor has the right of way.
4. Don't Jibe into another
sailor
5. Non-motorized vessels
have right of way over motorized vessels (Unless it is la commercial vessel).
6. Commercial vessels have
the right of way over everyone.
It is the Windsurfer's
responsibility to keep clear of commercial vessels including
barges. Most vessels cause suction from their propellers and
create stern wakes. Many may have have a cable extending
several hundred feet to a partially submerged log raft. These
vessels can block the wind, leaving you unable to maneuver. A
$250.00 fine may be issued for obstructing a commercial
vessel. Believe it or not Barges can easily sneak up on you.
To avoid tragic accidents, please use the new "Safety
Alert Signal" to all sailors if you see a barge, boat,
or partially submerged log.
SAFETY TIPS FOR
WINDSURFING
Wetsuits or drysuits
are recommended to provide flotation and warmth.
Wearing life jackets is strongly encouraged by the Oregon
State Marine Board. Specially designed life jackets that
incorporate a harness have been approved by the U.S. Coast
Guard. Helmets and footwear are also advised.
Self Rescue is
Mandatory. If water conditions are too rough to
sail, or if you suffer equipment failure, you may have to
de-rig and paddle in. Be sure to roll your sail tightly
around the mast. Center the furled mast and boom on the
board, lie on the board and paddle to shore. Your board is a
flotation device; in an emergency hang on to the board and
ditch your rig if necessary.
To alert someone that you are having
difficulty, use a two-handed wave over your head.
Don't sail to
exhaustion.
Equip your rig with an
uphaul or extra line for emergencies.
Never sail alone,
and be sure to have a rescue plan. The current or wind can
carry you and your board a long distance. Be sure your
sailing friends will pick you up should you get into trouble.
Note the equipment and
sail size other sailors are using. Remember, the
wind conditions on shore are usually lighter than on the
water.
Strong easterlies are more
dangerous because they blow in the same direction of the
current.
It is against the law to
windsurf under the influence of intoxicants.
Familiarize yourself with
hypothermia. Wind chill factor even on a mild day can be
dangerous.
Watch out for other
sailors. Provide help if you can, and alert others
for assistance.
PARKING AND
COURTESY
Signal well in advance to
notify other vehicles of your intent. Use caution entering
the highway.
Pull completely off the
pavement when parking. Do not park near tunnels.
Obey all "No
Parking" signs. Popular sailing sites could be closed to
windsurfers if the regulations are not followed.
Don't litter. Use of these
sailing sites is a privilege; please keep them clean.
Keep pets on a leash.
What
recreational boaters should know
Commercial vessels, including
towboats and tugboats, operate 365 days a year, 24 hours a
day.
The speed of a ship, towboat,
or tugboat can be deceptive. A tow can travel one mile in
seven minutes - a ship even faster and it generally takes 3/4
to 1 and a half miles to stop. For example, if a water skier
falls a thousand feet in front of a moving tug or tow, the
skier has less than one minute to get out of the way.
Large vessels must maintain
speed to steer, and they must stay in the channel - it's the
only place deep enough for them to operate. Many channels are
unmarked. On some waterways, the channel extends bank to
bank, so expect vessel traffic on any portion of the
waterway.
A pilot's "blind
spot" can extend for hundreds of feet in front of the
deep-draft ships, tugboats and towboats pushing barges.
Pilots and towboat operators
use VHF radio channels 13 and 16.
In a collision situation, try
to escape to the port (left) side. It takes four to six
minutes and 2,000 to 4,000 feet for a ship to stop after its
engines are reversed. The reversing action will swing the
ship's bow toward starboard.
In narrow canals a tug's or
tow's powerful engines can cause a smaller vessel to be
pulled toward the tow when passing alongside.
"Wheel Wash" is a
strong underwater current caused by towboat or ship engines
that can result in severe turbulence hundreds of yards behind
a large vessel.
A tug without barges in front
could be towing a log raft, barge or other objects on a long
submerged line behind it, which lie low in the water and are
difficult to see. Never pass closely behind a tugboat.
Sailboating on inland rivers
can be hazardous, and sailboaters and wind surfers should
know that a tow or tug can "steal your wind" - so
you won't have the same wind you started with when executing
a sailing maneuver near a commercial vessel.
Operating in adverse weather
or low visibility can prove extremely dangerous. Why take a
chance?
Ships, towboats and tugboats
use VHF radio channels 13 and 16. If you are unsure of your
situation, or their intentions, feel free to contact them.
Remember, you are sharing the waterways with vessels operated
by highly trained and conscientious professionals. If you
have a true emergency or need information, they can and will
help if properly contacted.
REMEMBER:
Wear a life jacket at all
times. Over 82% of those killed in boating accidents in
recent years were not wearing life jackets.
Don't operate a boat while
drinking alcohol or using drugs. It is estimated that more
than half of all recreational boating fatalities are related
to alcohol. It's proven that the marine environment compounds
the effects of alcohol.
Understand whistle signals. At
least five or more short blasts on the whistle is the
"danger" signal.
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