When boating in unfamiliar waters you hit a submerged rock and your boat begins taking on water what is the first action you should take?

Here are some steps to ensure that you have a smooth experience at the boat launch. The first step is to get your boat ready away from the launch area itself. This will make sure that you aren't blocking any other boaters who are waiting to use the launch—keeping everybody happy.

Some of the steps you can take care of before approaching the ramp include:

• Removing all the tie-downs, with the exception of the winch line.
  
• Loading any additional supplies and equipment into the boat;
• Inserting the drain plug; Disconnecting the trailer's brake lights – so you don't burn out any bulbs;
• Removing the motor travel supports, if used; and
• Putting the trim up to prevent hitting the prop when launching.

If you're launching the boat by yourself, you can attach a line to the bow to steady the boat upon its release. If you have two persons launching the boat, and one is staying in the boat, you may not need a bow line.

Prepare your boat away from the ramp to avoid creating unnecessary delays at the launch area.

Launching your Boat

Now that you're ready for launch, approach the boat ramp and back the trailer into the water.

Go far enough so that your trailer tires are in the water but not the axle bearings. The cooling water intake holes on the lower unit of the engine should be submerged.

At this point, apply the parking brake on your towing vehicle. If at all possible, you want to keep the wheels of your towing vehicle out of the water.

Now, gradually release the winch line and slowly reverse the boat off of the trailer and into the water.

Once in the water, secure the boat to the dock and promptly move your vehicle and trailer away from the launch. This will avoid blocking any boaters waiting to use the launch.

If you anticipate any kind of engine problems, it's a good idea to start the engine and let it warm up while your boat is still attached to the winch line, and before reversing the boat off of the trailer. If your engine doesn't start, it's a lot easier to retrieve your boat if it is still on the trailer.

Remember to follow good boating etiquette by preparing your boat away from the launch area to prevent unnecessary delays for other boaters.

Retrieving a Boat

When it's time to retrieve your boat, it's a great idea to have someone at the boat launch to 'spot' for you. This is especially important if you are dealing with a steep boat ramp.

Both you and your spotter should be keeping an eye out for any pedestrians or other boats in the area.

Get your towing vehicle and trailer ready and then wait for your turn.

Remember, like when launching your boat, the proper etiquette is to unload all your extra fuel and equipment away from the launch, so as not to delay other boaters.

When it's your turn to retrieve your boat, back your trailer into the water until two-thirds of its bunks or rollers are submerged. Like launching your boat, you should keep your towing vehicle's wheels out of the water unless absolutely necessary.

Next, attach a bow line to the boat in order to steady the retrieval process.

Now maneuver or cautiously drive your boat close enough to attach the winch line.

Once the winch line is attached, shut off the engine and tilt the engine up.

Crank the winch line to pull the boat up the trailer. Stay out of the direct path of the winch line in case it breaks.

Once your boat is well secured, tow your trailer out of the water and away from the boat ramp; out of the way of others.

Now it's time to begin your preparation for the road. Remember to remove your drain plug, pump or drain any water out of the bilge, and drain the live-wells or bait-wells if you have them.

To stop the spread of aquatic species, it's also important that you clean your boat before you leave the ramp area. Some states have specific requirements that must be followed to stop the spread of aquatic species, so check the regulations in the state where you are boating. As a rule, you should always remove all plant materials from your boat.

Always remember, you have another vehicle attached behind you. That means you need to take corners at slower speeds and at wider angles to make sure your trailer can get around safely.

Unload fuel and equipment away from the ramp whenever possible.

• Keep your clothes on;
• To keep as much of the body out of the water as possible, climb onto the pleasure craft or onto a floating object if there is one nearby;
• Huddle with other people if you are two or more;
• If alone, adopt a heat escape lessening position (HELP) to keep your vital organs at the highest temperature possible (maintain body heat);
• If you are in a group, take a head count to make sure that nobody is missing.

Running aground

A grounded boat describe a vessel that touches the bottom and gets stuck. 

When you run aground in an inboard/outboard vessel, you should shift the weight away from the grounded area of the hull, lift the outdrive part-way then shift into reverse.

What steps should you take after running around?

• Check the people onboard to make sure no one is injured.
• Ensure that everyone puts on a personal flotation device;
• Assess any damage that may have occurred.
• Is the boat taking on water? If so, find the source of the leak.

Capsizing

What should you do if your boat capsizes?

• Check the people onboard to make sure no one is injured.
• Ensure that everyone puts on a personal flotation device; 
• Keep as close to the boat as possible. Try to climb on it. (A capsized boat is easier to see than a person in the water)
• Do a head count of those who were on board;
• Use or display signals to show distress and need of assistance.

If your boat capsizes and you are more than 100m from shore, don’t try to swim to shore!

Waves can be a major factor in capsizing, especially if they are unexpected. Anticipate all waves and aim the bow into them. On approaching waves you should reduce your speed and approach the wave at a 45 degree angle allowing the boat to ease up and over the wave rather than smashing head on. Never travell parallel to the wave as you risk capsizing the craft.

Engine broken down and drifting

If your engine dies and you start drifting toward rocky shore... would you know what to do? Here’s the best course of action:

The operator should service and maintain the pleasure craft and its equipment on a regular basis to make sure that they work properly at all times, thus reducing the probability of breakdowns.  

Recovering a person  

What should you do if a person falls overboard?

• Sound the alarm and immediately become the look-out, which means keeping constant sight of the person who has fallen overboard;
• Another person will throw something buoyant with a buoyant heaving line; 
• The pleasure craft operator must close-in on the person who has fallen overboard, while at the same time slowing down;
• The operator will approach the person on the wind-ward side;
• The operator will shut off the motors as soon as the person has grasped the line;
• Recover the person overboard with a reboarding device or a lifting harness.

To ensure the safety of the pleasure craft’s passengers, it is important to inform each passenger of where the safety equipment is stored onboard, each person’s task in an emergency situation, and the movement of the pleasure craft.  Furthermore, it is important to practice the safety procedures so that the passengers become familiar with them. In the case of a real emergency their chances of survival will increase dramatically.

Leaks on a boat

What to do when your boat springs a leak?

First, find the source of the leak in the hull or of the flooding. Is there a breach in the hull, such as in the water cooling system? Is an underwater device, such as the engine’s water cooling system, defective? Is the rear bailer of the pleasure craft properly closed? Once you have discovered where the water is entering the vessel, stop the leak or the source of flooding if possible.

If there is a breach in the hull below the waterline, use any type of plug (a piece of wood cloth) to close the hole. If it is a crack caused by hitting or rubbing up against rock, you can use an epoxy that hardens ou catalyses underwater. If the hole is on the water line, you must heel (incline the boat) the pleasure craft in order to get the crack out of the water. When the water leak has been sealed, bail the accumulated water from the hold or other compartments of the pleasure craft by using hand-held bailers, manual pumps or bilge pumps. Use or show distress signals to signal that you are in need of assistance. If necessary, use channel 16 with a "MAY DAY" signal and/or use pyrotechnic signals. The pleasure craft operator must always have on board a hull repair kit and tools. A temporary repair will ensure sufficient time in order to get back to shore and stop any excess flooding.

Surviving in cold water

When a boat capsizes in cold water, do everything you can to prevent hypothermia and conserve body heat. Only swim if you can join others or reach a safe haven. Do not swim to keep warm. Extend your survival time by: 

• Wearing a Canadian-approved lifejacket or PFD. You will lose energy which is vital to survival by trying to keep your head out of the water if you are not wearing one;
• Climbing onto a nearby floating object to get as much of your body out of or above the water as possible;
• If possible, adopt a heat escape lessening position (H.E.L.P.): cross your arms tightly against your chest and draw your knees up close to them;
• Huddle with others and make sure the sides of everyone’s chests are close together, with arms around mid to lower back, and legs intertwined;
• Protect yourself by wearing a lifejacket or PFD, multiple light layers of dry clothing and a water or wind-proof outer layer.

Other equipment that comes in a variety of styles and names, and provides additional protection from hypothermia includes:

• Floater or survival suits: a full nose-to-toes PFD;
• Anti-exposure worksuits: a PFD with a thermal protection rating;
• Dry suits: to be used with a floatation device and a thermal liner;
• Wet suits: to be used with a floatation device, traps and heats water against the body;
• Immersion suits: to be used in extreme conditions when abandoning a vessel (usually for off-shore use).