Lessons Learned from the U.S. Navy

The mistakes that contributed to the tragic accidents involving U.S. Navy ships in the western Pacific last year, and the Navy’s comprehensive review of those accidents, are sure to remind recreational boaters that the basics of safe navigation and solid seamanship are as simple as they are important. Below are fundamentals that recreational boaters should always bear in mind:

Study and be familiar with the so-called Rules of the Road. Keep a copy of the U.S. Coast Guard’s Navigation Rules International — Inland on board. It’s an easy-to-obtain book that contains and explicates the rules.

Use radar if there’s a unit on board your vessel—and know how to tune, make clutter adjustments, switch ranges, etc. Owning an expensive, highly sophisticated radar is no guarantee it will do you any good.

Maintain your situational awareness by employing not only your eyes (and a pair of good binoculars) to periodically scan the horizon, but also your ears to keep tabs on engine-related and other mechanical issues. If possible, post a lookout or lookouts when underway.

Use your VHF radio. The best way to clearly understand and deal with crossing, overtaking, and meeting situations in open water is to work things out well in advance on your VHF.

Transmit and receive AIS signatures whenever possible. Contacting other vessels via VHF is easy these days thanks to the fact that their names appear on your MFD via AIS.

Be thoroughly conversant with on-board mechanicals and other equipment, especially the critical stuff. Whether we’re talking throttle and shift controls, steering, backup steering, running lights, fuel filters, sea strainers or whatever. There is nothing worse, should an emergency arise, than not knowing how to safely and efficiently operate what you’ve spent so much of your hardearned money on.