http://www.boatsplusinfo.com/info Boat safety and boat licence information. Thu, 27 Nov 2008 00:00:00 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en All calls are repeated three times. MAYDAY A mayday call denotes an emergency involving imminent danger to a vessel and the people on board. If you hear a mayday call you should not transmit, but continue to monitor the radio. If a shore station such as the local Coastguard or Coastal Patrol ... http://www.boatsplusinfo.com/info/2008/06/emergency-words/ Let's all exercise POWER WITH RESPONSIBILITY and help preserve the great sporting opportunities and enjoyment of personal watercraft. Recognise too, that your Yamaha WaveRunner is actually a boat. Please learn and follow all the rules of the sea and waterways, take professional instruction where possible, and obey local rules and regulations, ... http://www.boatsplusinfo.com/info/2008/06/pwc/   "Jargon" or specialised language has been developed over the years to refer to specific aspects of boating and provide clear and concise communication. You don't need to know all of the terminology, but a working knowledge will prove useful. Terminology Definition Abeam abreast of, or at right angles to, the fore and aft line ... http://www.boatsplusinfo.com/info/2008/06/language-of-boating/ Setting Off Start your engine, allowing it to warm up before you set off. Untie any mooring ropes from the jetty or wharf, leaving them ied to the boat, coiled and ready for future use. Make sure all ropes are inside the boat and not trailing in the water where they ... http://www.boatsplusinfo.com/info/2008/06/boat-handling/ Speed All vessels must travel at a safe speed at all times. A safe speed cannot be expressed as a maximum or minimum number of knots because it varies with circumstances and conditions. The master (driver) must continually assess the safety of the vessel’s speed.   A safe speed is one at which the ... http://www.boatsplusinfo.com/info/2008/06/water-traffic-rules/ The waterways are not like well-defined roads. It is unsafe to navigate a vessel with lights illuminating the water directly ahead because it will deprive you and other vessel operators of night vision. Spotlights can be used to identify specific hazards, but this should only be done when operating at ... http://www.boatsplusinfo.com/info/2008/06/navigation-at-night/ Personal watercraft (PWC) is the term used to describe trade names such as Jet Skis, Waverunners and Sea Doos. Regardless of the type of PWC it is important to remember PWC are just another form of powerboat, and are generally subject to similar regulations and laws. However, there are also ... http://www.boatsplusinfo.com/info/2008/06/personal-watercraft/ The Ski/Towing Boat Must have current registration must have a minimum crew of two the master (driver) and an observer (also applies to PWC when towing) must have a capacity sticker must carry appropriate safety equipment cannot be remotely controlled. The Driver must hold a General Licence if the vessel will be operated at 10 knots or more, ... http://www.boatsplusinfo.com/info/2008/06/towing-people/ A surf kite and board is classified as a “vessel” and therefore comes under NSW marine legislation. A Code of Conduct for kite surfing has been developed by NSW Maritime in conjunction with the Australian Kite Surfing Association (AKSA). Requirements: Distance off Kite surfers and their equipment, including kite and lines, must maintain a ... http://www.boatsplusinfo.com/info/2008/06/kite-surfing/ A system of buoys, poles and lights is used to assist safe navigation. Each type of mark has a unique combination of colour, shape, topmark and light. You must be able to identify these marks and pass them safely on the correct side. Lateral Marks Port and starboard marks are referred to ... http://www.boatsplusinfo.com/info/2008/06/navigation-markers/