It was about as pretty a Chesapeake Bay day as you could hope for. Vibrant sunshine flooded the wooded creek, reflecting light off nearly everything. Aloft were ospreys that scanned the water for fish.
It wouldn’t long before their newly hatched chicks would squawk and squeak to be fed. Swirls and dimples told of fish foraging — puppy drum perhaps? — pushing bait into the shallows.
I figured there’d be more people on the water; no doubt scores more were busily decommissioning their vessels on the hard after a winter’s nap. A moderate breeze huffed and puffed from the southeast, nothing too serious for the handful of boaters that were out but strong enough to require more planning and concentration when docking or navigating in close quarters.
I watched as a friend steered his 23-foot sport cabin towards his dock at a clip too quick for my taste. It was the angle of his approach, however, that caught my eye. He steamed dead ahead. Combining this factor with his vessel’s speed and a 15-knot wind blowing off his starboard quarter, he had at best a 25% chance of docking successfully.
My friend must have calculated his odds similarly. And while I can’t say for certain if he panicked, it sure seemed that way as he allowed the outboard motor into reverse trying to correct his poorly planned approach. All that did was make a bad situation worse.
He missed the slip badly and began to slip-slide toward the rip-rapped shoreline. I jogged over to lend a hand. Gripping the boat’s grabrail I held off the gleaming white hull from the rocks. He had a boat hook to fend off. I then tried to say: “on three we’ll shove you off.” But only half a syllable escaped my mouth before he shoved off with force.
Now I had a choice: take a swim or hang on. I chose Door No. 2, thinking — wrongly — that I’ve hoisted myself out of similar predicaments, so no worries. Bad choice. For my efforts I got a twofer: a wrenched neck and shoulder. Getting old sucks.
In hindsight, I should’ve called out and suggested he gently nose up to the dock and we could use some lines to “walk” the boat into the slip. While that would’ve been the prudent thing to do, I’m sure with his hubris it’d have fallen on deaf ears.
The incident did remind me that however enjoyable it is to mess with boats there’s always some risk involved. And because we’re entering into the prime boating season on the Chesapeake Bay, it makes sense to dust off our boating skills, reacquaint ourselves with basic safety and navigational protocols, commonly called rules of the road.
You’d assume that all boaters realize that boats do not have brakes like cars. You’d be wrong. I base my assertion on how some folks operate on the water. As a boat safety instructor, I humbly love some suggestions for a safe and enjoyable boating season.
Educate yourself with the rules of the road, or better yet hone skills by taking safe boating courses, such as those offered by SaferBoater.org. Always post a lookout, operate at a safe speed and give way to another vessel.
When in doubt, throttle out. And don’t play the “I’ve got the right of way” card. It is always better to avoid a collision — even if that means breaking a navigation rule — to avoid damaging property and preventing injury or even death.
Boating at night is awesome but carries with it a whole other set of risks. Who hasn’t had their “eyes playing tricks” when outside after dark at night. Many inexperienced or overconfident boaters failed to appreciate the complexity of trying to discern light combinations used by commercial vessels.
When running at night, dim your electronics and deck lights to lessen the effect it can have on your night vision. Use your spotlight sparingly. Confusion can often lead to poor decision making, especially for novice boaters.
In these situations, the best thing is to go slow, bro, even if that means running slightly above idle. After all, the point of boating is to enjoy yourself, so what’s the hurry?
I first learned about SCAN several years ago through a BOATUS safety instructor course I took. SCAN stands for: Search, Concentrate, Analyze, and Negotiate.
Search the area all around your craft, specifically look 360-degrees on the water around your boat. The faster you’re operating, the further out you’ll need to search.
Concentrate on what you’re seeing. Is it a kayaker or a log? Is that boat anchored, drifting or powering toward you? Things happen fast out there, so process efficiently and quickly.
Analyze what you’re seeing, especially as it relates to your position to that of oncoming vessels. Never assume other boaters know what you’re doing or even if they see you.
Negotiate the situation. Learn the Rules of Navigation to determine the proper action to take while meeting head on, crossing, or overtaking another boat.
Here are some other important safety tips.
Wear a life jacket. Today’s life vests are comfortable, so no excuses. Ensure they’re in good working order and you have one for each passenger.
Use either the standard engine cut-off switch, or a wireless engine cut-off switch. It could spare you injury or save your life.
File a float plan: Tell someone where and when you’re leaving from, where you’re going and what time you’ll be back or arrive at your destination.
Carry all required safety gear: first-aid kit, fire extinguishers, distress flares and signals. Spare filters, clamps and a toolbox is prudent. Get a marine forecast via weather alerts, apps, and VHF marine radio. Ensure navigation lights are working properly.
Speed kills. Never go faster than your ability to stop or change direction, regardless of your experience.
Calendar
Through May 16: Closed season for stripers in Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay and its tidal tributaries including Maryland’s side of the Potomac.
Through March 25, 2025: Great Invasive Species Count. Help collect important data while competing for great prizes. Register at ccamd.org/the-great-chesapeake-invasives-count.
May 15: Annapolis Anglers Club. Monthly meeting at 7 pm at the American Legion in Crownsville.
May 24-26: Smith Island Tournament: Three-day tournament benefits the Smith Island Fire Department and its first responders. Entry $225 per team (max of 4 anglers), $100 for individual anglers. Register: ianglertournament.com.
May 28: Combo for Kids, presented by Anglers Sport Center. Provides fun opportunities to celebrate and enrich the lives of children and their families through fishing. At Ruth Eason School (648 Old Mill Road, Millersville). This event will bring water and fish to the school. Chesapeake Whalertowne to provide boats. Contact: EJ Harman, (410) 299-2693.
June 16: Maryland DNR Fishing Rodeo at 10 am Cypress Branch State Park in Kent County. Sponsor: Maryland Park Service. Ages 3-15. Contact: Erin Gale, 410-820-1668.
June 27: Combo for Kids, presented by Anglers Sport Center. Provides fun opportunities to celebrate and enrich the lives of children and their families through fishing. At Mike’s Beach: Voices for Children (Boats needed – crabbing). Contact: EJ Harman, (410) 299-2693.
July 13-14: CCA Maryland partners with Defensores de la Cuenca to host a two-day artificial reef ball building project at Sandy Point State Park.
Send outdoors calendar listings and photos to [email protected].
