Kayaks, canoes, stand-up paddleboards, kiteboards, bodyboards, and motorized tubes aren’t “vessels” subject to enforcement by the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), right? Wrong!
When it comes to fun in the sun, the rules of safety and navigation apply to what most consider recreational craft. The USCG defines a vessel as a piece of equipment that is used (or is capable of being used) as a means of transportation on the water. To be a vessel, the watercraft must be capable of carrying persons or property beyond the limits of a swimming, surfing, or bathing area, and whether it can go further than the limits of the person operating it. The USCG also labels vessels as those watercraft that may present a substantial hazard to navigation or safety, and/or could hurt someone should it become disabled. (Along with the USCG definitions of vessels, states also have laws and requirements you’ll need to know and follow.)
What does being subject to USCG regulation and enforcement mean? In a nutshell: while keeping yourself safe, you must act and interact properly with everyone else out on the water.
As the operator of a regulated vessel, you must wear a life jacket, stay aware of your surroundings, and act defensively. You can’t lose yourself in your serene surroundings and drift along on your SUP, thinking the bigger boats will find a way around you. A sailboat can’t swiftly maneuver out of a tight spot and a powerboat has no brakes!
Unsure as to what the rules of navigation are? Take a basic boating safety course. There may even be ones specially tailored for your preferred form of water fun.
As your vessel is portable, you can choose new locations all the time, but you must know both the weather and the water before beginning an adventure. Check currents and tides, and research the waterway’s layout and traffic patterns — are the channels narrow, do lots of boats drop anchor in a particular area and go full out on a certain stretch between no-wake zones, and is there a ferry crossing? Planning for known circumstances means you’ll stay far right in a channel, avoid weaving in and out of boats tossing anchors, and time your passing to elude ferries.
More tips:
- Head out in a group, preferably with those who know the local waters. There’s safety in numbers.
- Groups also increase visibility by larger vessels.
- If you’re going solo, let someone on shore know where you’ll be and roughly what time you expect to be back.
- Carry a whistle, a signaling mirror, and flashlight.
- Wear bright-colored clothing and a safety harness or leash to keep you and your vessel in proximity to each other.
