You do need a licence before you’re allowed to boat on any inland waterways in the UK, such as the Thames or the Norfolk and Suffolk Broads. However, there is no need to pass a competency exam before you’re allowed to boat, as one does while learning to drive a car.
Which side do you pass an oncoming boat?
When encountering an oncoming boat head-on, the rule is simple: Each boat is a give-way or burdened vessel and should stay to its right, altering course to starboard and allowing each craft to pass to the port (left) side of the other boat.
All types and sizes of fishing vessel should carry enough lifejackets for everyone, and additional lifejackets where this is required by regulations or Codes, on board. Other general lifesaving equipment requirements include: lifejackets to be equipped with lights.
What are the basic rules of boating? – Related Questions
What are the 5 essential safety devices you should have on a boat?
5 Must-Have Safety Equipment for Your Boat
Life jackets and wearable personal flotation devices (PFDs)
Throwable flotation devices.
Fire extinguishers.
Visual signaling devices.
Sound signaling devices.
How much is a boat Licence UK?
An Initial BSSC registration for a full year for a boat starts from £144.00. Note – All boats requiring a BSSC must be tested every 4 years.
What equipment is required onboard all boats?
Your Personal Safety Equipment must be carried onboard at all times. This includes life jackets and personal flotation devices (PFDs) as well as a buoyant heaving line. It’s important that as a boat operator, you don’t only have these on board but that you show your passengers how to use them.
What flares do I need on my boat?
There are 2 types of flares that you must carry on open waters: orange smoke flares for day use. red hand flares for day or night use.
What is required by Coast Guard on a boat?
Recreational boats must carry Coast Guard approved Personal Flotation Devices, in good and serviceable condition, and of appropriate size for the intended user. Wearable PFDs must be readily accessible, not stowed in bags, locked or closed compartments or have other gear stowed on top of them.
Now it is common courtesy to fly the national flag on all types of recreational boats. It is proper etiquette to only fly ensign flags from 0800 to sunset unless you’re in a boat race outside those hours. It is also important to take this flag down before leaving your boat if it is unmanned at sunset.
Can I fly a pirate flag on my boat?
Sure. Lots of boats do. Just fly it from the correct location and not where national flags are to be flown. Under US law, at least, there is no law against flying any flag on a vessel.
What does a red flag mean on a boat?
Four signals are created from nautical flags to signal different weather warnings. All-weather warning signals are communicated with red and/or black flags. A small craft warning is simply a single red pendant flag, while a small craft advisory (gale warning) is two red pendant flags.
Which way is port and starboard?
When looking forward, toward the bow of a ship, port and starboard refer to the left and right sides, respectively. In the early days of boating, before ships had rudders on their centerlines, boats were controlled using a steering oar.
What side of the buoy do you stay on?
Basically, red marker buoys should be on your right (starboard) as you return from open water. Conversely, green channel markers should be on your starboard side as you head out into open water.
What is the white light seen from behind the boat?
Sternlight: This white light is seen only from behind or nearly behind the vessel. Masthead Light: This white light shines forward and to both sides and is required on all power-driven vessels.
Ships of the City of Dublin Steamship Company were equipped with white masthead, green starboard lights and red port navigation lights. The P&O Company of Southampton had a different arrangement; green for port, green and red for starboard. The British Admiralty ordained that starboard was to be green and port red.
What are the 4 sides of a boat called?
Now let’s learn the words for the front, rear, left and right sides of the boat. The front of a boat is called the bow, while the rear of a boat is called the stern. When looking towards the bow, the left-hand side of the boat is the port side. And starboard is the corresponding word for the right side of a boat.