Safe Boating

Before casting off
- Be weather conscious, check the weather forecast a day in advance of your trip
- Create a float plan from the point of leaving the dock to the time you will return
- Make sure that equipment being utilized on the journey is in good working order (i.e.: engine, radio, bilge pumps, steering) and the vessel has ample fuel, oil, etc.
- Ensure that all safety requirements are aboard
- Know the 'rules of the road' at sea so you can avoid collisions

As a responsible Skipper, minimise the amount of alcohol you drink before or during the trip

Speed

No vessels may exceed 5 knots (9.km/h) through the water: Within 100 metres of the shore, any structure, or any vessel displaying a dive flag. Speed Limit Exceptions:

- Two Rock Passage
- Head of the Lane Passage
- Town Cut Channel
- Ferry Reach (from the sea to the Airfield Landing light pylons approaching from the west).
- Western Hogfish Channel from Dockyard to the sea except the section west of Mangrove Bay between the Quintons and Gray's Point

Wake

Recreational craft must avoid making a wake which can cause unnecessary danger or risk of damage to other vessels, structures or people. Reduce or no wake while anyone of their body over the bow or sides of a power boar, ow within 50 meters of another vessel or person in the water.

Safety - Radio

VHF Radio Equipment is required by all vessels proceeding to seaward of:
- Narrows Channel
- South Channel
- Western (Hogfish) Small Boat Channel
- The Outer Reef between Pompano Beacon and Spit Buoy

Rules for Radio use

- Listen before transmitting
- Always use the name of the boat you are calling first, then identify yourself using your boat name
- Use Channel 16 for making your initial call, then move to an agreed working channel
- For emergencies, stay on Channel 16 unless you are directed to another channel by Bermuda Radio

Bermuda Water Safety Council website: www.wsc.bm