Teamwork Makes Boating Better

By Randy Vance 
Author, Power Boating for Dummies

Let’s talk about boating safety. Before you all respond in a collective sigh, stay with me — this isn't just about life jackets, flares, or fire extinguishers. It's about working together, which is just as critical to a safe and enjoyable day on the water.

Boating safely begins with a mentoring skipper who knows how to gauge his crew, understands their limitations and guides them calmly as the day progresses.

Let's break it down.

Make sure everyone on board knows what to expect as the day begins, so if unexpected moments arise, everyone knows their role and how to respond.

At the dock, with crew eager to board, it's time to talk about the first line of protection: life jackets.

In most states, life jackets must be worn by young crew under 13 years of age while underway in a vessel under 26 feet in length. State regulations can vary and supersede Federal rules, but where no state regulation exists, the Federal guideline is the law. Check your local boating laws here.

This discussion is the skipper's responsibility and the most important part of boating safety: Communication.

I once cruised with friends in Alaska, from Juneau around Admiralty Island and back along the inside passage. My shipmates were all members of the US Coast Guard Auxiliary. Before we shoved off, our skipper Mike Folkerts filed a float plan, letting people ashore know when we were leaving, when we'd return, and where we were going, along with a list of the crew. The more people on dry land who know your itinerary, the safer you all remain.

From the moment we left the dock, crisp communication rang out. From the bridge, Mike reported his every intention as the crew moved about making ready.

"Permission to retrieve the forward fender?"

"Permission granted."

"Moving forward to retrieve the fender."

Your language doesn't have to be Coast Guard formal, but it should be just as concise.

If your kids or other passengers want to move to the bow, remind them how important it is for the skipper to know before they move. Without that heads-up, a passenger could shift weight just as the skipper executes a course change — with real consequences. Keep everyone informed of what's coming.

The captain's heaviest responsibility is keeping watch over every member of the crew and keeping them informed of intentions. A sharp turn should be announced well before it's executed. "Turning left!" is a fair call, and probably wiser than "Turning to port" when guests may not know the nautical jargon.

Speed changes should be announced too. Keep your crew informed and let them know their verbal acknowledgement is appreciated.

Docking is an intimidating moment for new boaters and confusing for unfamiliar crew. It can be hazardous when untrained helpers get overeager. People are very poor fenders. A hand or arm won't stop the momentum of a boat, whether it's 5,000 pounds or 15,000. Keep fenders handy and assign their placement and retrieval to specific crew members. Many Grady-White models have multiple options for fender storage, making them easy to retrieve when you need them.

Before coming alongside the dock, brief your crew on how best to help. Often the answer is simply, "Please remain seated until we're secured." 

If you want help with fenders, call crew members by name, tell them where to place it, and ask for verbal confirmation. In an unfamiliar port, have the crew hang a fender over the side and hold the line so it can be repositioned as needed.

On leadership: the dynamics of every crew are different, and on a boat things happen fast.  There's rarely time for a conference before coordinated action is required. For couples who share the helm, exchanging skipper and first mate roles from day to day can be valuable. It ensures parity and, more importantly, grows the skills of both team members.

Good teamwork and communication go a very long way in making the difference between a high-stress situation on the water or a relaxing day with family and friends. With boating season upon us, now is a great time to round up your crew and get on the same page with your boating knowledge.