Tag Archives: Safety

Vermont State Police Enhance Marine Patrol

Ribcraft announced the recent delivery of two Ribcraft 6.5s to the Vermont State Police Marine Patrol.

The 21-foot RIBs will be used by the marine patrol and scuba team for patrols, dive operations, and general search-and-rescue applications on Lake Champlain.

The RIBs will provide the flexibility to fulfill the various mission requirements, as well as offering a stable, open platform for the SCUBA team, according to a company statement.

The two 21’5″ RIBCRAFT 6.5 professional grade RIBs feature a center console with bolster, aluminum T-top, an aft tow post, and an antenna arch with integrating folding dive ladder. Equipped with a single 150HP Evinrude E-TEC engine, the boats will reach speeds in excess of 40 knots.

About Ribcraft:

Vermont State PoliceRIBCRAFT is a U.S. manufacturer of professional grade rigid inflatable boats for law enforcement, safety professionals, and military agencies. The company designs and builds safe, durable, performance oriented rigid inflatable boats (RIBs) that fulfill the most demanding professional and recreational applications. A leading manufacturer of professional grade RIBs and inflatables for safety professionals, military agencies, yacht clubs, and recreational boaters throughout the world, RIBCRAFT offers vessels ranging in size from 14′ to 41′ capable of fulfilling most any mission.

Boating Safety on Lake Champlain

Lake Champlain Boating Safety

Boating Safety

Boating Safety on Lake Champlain

Boating can be fun for the whole family; don’t let an accident ruin the fun. The key to a safe and fun time on Lake Champlain is to always practice boating safety. The United States Coast Guard says that almost all boating accidents could have been prevented, if the captain of the ship had taken a boating safety course prior to getting on the water. Boating safety should not be taken lightly.

There’s no way we can cover all aspects of boating safety in this short article. But we can give some basics to help you to become a responsible boater. Nothing can replace a good, certified boating safety course taught by a qualified individual, in fact it’s the law, but this can serve as a quick start guide.

Five Boating Safety Tips

  1. Always know the safe distance to keep away from other boats. If another boater is going slower than you are, and you want to pass them, know how to do so safely and with the proper signaling. Boats don’t have turn signals, but you should know how to alert the other boater you will be passing them.
  2. When putting your boat in the water,  know how to do this quickly as well as safely. Boating safety must be practiced even before you get your vessel on the water. Knowing how to do this the properly can make the difference between friendly and unfriendly boating.
  3. If alcohol is part of your boating trip, be sure you are conscious of how it will affect  your body when you are operating a fast-moving vehicle on top of a body of water. Alcohol use by the captain should be in moderation, if at all.. Most boating accidents can be directly attributed to alcohol as a contributing factor. Be smart when it comes to alcohol consumption on the water.
  4. Make sure that all people on board your boat have access to a personal flotation device (PFD)– it’s the law. Never let a child be in your boat without wearing a PFD The number one cause of death on the water is due to drowning- often caused by people falling overboard without a life vest. This is the number one boating safety rule stressed by all instructors.
  5. Boating safety depends on everyone following general rules of etiquette when you are out on the water. While you can’t control what the other boaters do, you can control your actions. Always be polite on the water and know that you are doing your part to keep the waters safe.

As we said previously, every boater should really take a certified boating safety course. Besides making it easier for you to get your boating license, you will be a much better boater after taking the boating safety course.

Online Boating Safety Courses

Below are listed websites to access Boating Safety courses for Canada, New York State and the State of Vermont.  All are approved by the respective municipalities and offer free courses and on-line instruction:

More Articles About Lake Champlain Safety:

New York Boater Safety Course

Lake Champlain Safety

Boating Safety

New York State PoliceNew York Boating Safety Course

Who Needs a New York Boating License?

  • Boater Education is required for all persons between 10 and 18 years of age who operate a motorboat and for all persons 14 years of age and older who operate a PWC on New York waters.
  •  Get your New York Boating License
    • To receive your official New York Boating Safety Certificate, you must take a proctored exam in a classroom setting.
    • For a list of classroom courses in Long Island, Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx and Westchester Counties, please visit: www.safeboatingamerica.com.
    • To find a classroom course in other areas of New York state, please visit: www.nysparks.com

 

New York Boating Laws and Regulations

The New York boating safety certificate is proof that a boater has taken and passed an approved boater education course. The New York Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation currently has a mandatory boater education requirement requiring all boaters between 10 and 18 years of age who operate a motorboat and for all persons 14 years of age and older who operate a PWC to have the New York boating license on board when the vessel is underway to satisfy the New York boating regulations.

Many boating fatalities occur because boaters aren’t educated about boating safety. The New York Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation believes that an educated boater is a safer boater.

Where can I take my safe boating exam and get my Boating Safety Certificate?

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

You can write your practice exam directly on the Internet at BoaterExam.com™. In order to meet New York’s mandatory education requirement, boaters must successfully complete a boating safety course with a minimum of 8 hours of classroom instruction and a proctored exam. For a list of classroom courses, please visit: www.safeboatingamerica.com.

Where can I get the boater safety education course material?

All the required safe boating training material to pass the classroom course will be provided at the time of the class. BoaterExam.com™ provides you with the same information free of charge on this web site. Simply visit safe boating training material. BoaterExam.com™ has been reviewed by New York State and has been found to contain the required state specific information. The information contained in this online program follows the materials presented in the class room course. Successful completion of the BoaterExam.com™ program will help you prepare for the New York Safe Boating Program.

Where can I get more information about New York boating regulations and the New York boater education card?

Answers to most of your questions about the New York boater’s license can be found on ourFrequently Asked Questions page. You may also visit The New York Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation for additional information, or you can contact us and we will be glad to answer any of your questions.

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Canada Pleasure Craft Operator Card

Lake Champlain Safety

Boating Safety

national Flag of Canada

Canada Pleasure Craft Operator Card

Who Needs a Pleasure Craft Operator Card?

All Canadians are now required by federal law to carry a boating license when operating a powered water craft. To receive this boat operator license, you must pass a multiple choice exam with a score of at least 75%.

Where can I take my exam and get my boat license?

You can write your exam directly on the internet at BoaterExam.com® . Once you pass the exam your boat operator license is mailed to your home. In the meantime, you can print a temporary license and use that while you wait for your permanent card to arrive.

Where can I study for my boating license test?

All the required safe boating training material to get your boat operator license is available for free at BoaterExam.com® ®. Simply visit our Free Safe Boating Training section to gain access to the course manual.

Where can I get more information about Canadian boating regulations and the Canadian boating license?

Transport Canada

Answers to most of your questions can be found on our Frequently Asked Questions page. You may also visit the Transport Canada Office of Boating Safety for additional information, or you can contact us and we will be glad to answer any of your questions.

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Vermont Boating Safety Course

Vermont State Police

Vermont Boating Safety Course

Who Needs a Vermont Boating Safety Education Certificate?

  • All persons born after January 1, 1974, must have successfully completed a boating safety education course to legally operate any motorized vessel (this includes personal watercraft). Vermont Boating License Course
  • Those successfully completing a course are issued a certificate by the Vermont State Police, which is valid for the student’s lifetime. No one younger than 10 years of age may receive a certificate. Those younger than 12 years of age must take a classroom course. Handbook of Vermont Boating Laws and Responsibilities

Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs)

All vessels, except sailboards, must carry one wearable U.S. Coast Guard–approved Type I, II, III, or V PFD for each person on board. Types of PFD’s

Other specific rules regarding PFD’s Click Here

Unlawful Operation

In addition to the laws mentioned previously, here are some other Vermont regulations which apply when vessel operators are on the water. Vermont law states that these dangerous operating practices are illegal.

Careless and Reckless Operation of a vessel or the reckless manipulation of water skis, a surfboard, or a similar device is operating in a manner that causes danger to the life, limb, or property of any person. Examples of illegal, reckless operation are:

  • Boating in restricted areas without regard for other boaters or persons, posted speeds and wake restrictions, diver-down flags, etc.
  • Boating while under the influence of alcohol or drugs
  • Failing to follow the navigation rules
  • Weaving through congested waterway traffic
  • Swerving at the last possible moment in order to avoid collision
  • Causing danger or damage from the wake of your vessel
  • Chasing, harassing, or disturbing wildlife with your vessel

Overloading is loading the vessel beyond a safe carrying capacity, taking into consideration the weather and other operating conditions.

Improper Speed or Distance is not maintaining a proper speed or distance while operating a vessel or while towing a person on water skis or any similar device. Specifically, the following actions are illegal:

  • Operating a vessel (except sailboards) at greater than “no wake speed” within 200 feet of:
    • The shoreline
    • A person in the water
    • A canoe, rowboat, or other vessel
    • An anchored or moored vessel with a person on board
    • An anchorage or dock
  • Operating a vessel at speeds of five miles per hour or greater within 200 feet of a marked swimming area
  • Operating a vessel at speeds that may cause danger, injury, or damage. Be aware of and obey all regulatory markers, including areas marked as “no wake”
  • “No Wake Speed” means…operating your vessel at a speed at which the vessel does not produce a wake, not to exceed five miles per hour.

Violating Underwater Historic Preservation Area Requirements is the failure to follow the requirements that govern operation in areas marked “State of Vermont Underwater Historic Preserve.” Vessels may not operate in these areas. Additional requirements also apply in these areas.

  • A vessel may secure to a yellow buoy only if diving at the preserve. These vessels must be 35 feet in length or less and display a diver-down flag. No more than one vessel may moor to a yellow buoy.
  • When a vessel is secured to a yellow buoy, all other vessels must stay at least 200 feet from the buoy.
  • A vessel may not anchor within 200 feet of a yellow buoy.