The following information is provided as a courtesy to members of our Flotilla and our greater Sackets Harbor Community, for thier information, safety, and enjoyment. No endorsement is implied. See also the disclaimer on the 'home' page.
Did you know that you can borrow child-sized lifejackets for a day or weekend if you need, and that Sackets Harbor's own Seaway Trail Discovery Center is a participant in this program? Click the logo below to read more about the Lifejacket-loaner program from BoatU.S.
Of course, lifejackets aren't the only reason to visit the Discovery Center. Read more by clicking the logo.
While you enjoy your boating experience on Black River Bay, make sure you file a float plan. If you don't make it back, make sure someone will miss you! To learn more and get a downloadable float plan form, try clicking this logo.
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Anytime Gift Ideas from the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary
With spring and the boating season just around the corner, the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary offers some gift ideas for boaters to help them stay safe all year long.
One of the best gift ideas for boaters is to sign them up for a boating education course. Knowledge is power, and it has been statistically shown that boaters who have taken a safety class are far less likely to be involved in a boating mishap or fatality.
The start of the traditional boating season is almost here, so now is a good time to schedule a free Vessel Safety Check (VSC). A VSC is a valuable gift for boaters that doesn't cost anything but time.
The “switch to digital” even affects boaters. Starting February 1, 2009 the Coast Guard no longer monitors analog distress signals transmitted from the older Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRBs). A new digital EPIRB is another great Valentine\’s Day gift idea.
Other great gift ideas to help keep boaters safe include:
- Sleek, light-weight, and comfortable inflatable life jackets (personal flotation devices - PFDs)
- A carbon monoxide detector
- Emergency signaling kits -- flares, signal mirror, whistle, etc.
- Kill switch leash -- kills the engine if the boater falls overboard
- Up-to-date navigational charts and/or a handheld GPS unit
- Navigation tools and calculators Hand-held VHF marine radio with extra batteries
The Coast Guard and Coast Guard Auxiliary recommend these gifts to save lives and reduce mishaps on America's waterways.
If what you are looking for is a course on boating safety, especially if you need to fulfill the New York State requirement for PWC operators, use the 'Boating Safety Courses' link. Also, if you are interested in having a free inspection of your boat to ensure it is in compliance with safety standards, use the 'Vessel Examination' link.
We now offer this list of useful information and documents to the boaters of our community. All items are in pdf format
- A sample float plan form.
- A series of checklists: equipment; boat systems; and pre-departute.
- A sample accident report. You must complete a report like this in the event of death, injury beyond first aid, or damage beyond $500.
- The Oil pollution placard. If you have a power driven vessel 26 ft (8 m) or greater, you must have this placard, at least 5" by 8" in size, permantly affixed near the engine spaces.
- The Trash placard. Also on power driven vessels 26 ft (8 m) +, this placard must be on display, at least 4" by 9", in a prominent location, often within the galley.
- In addition to the placards above, if your vessel is 40 ft (12 m) or more, you must have a waste management plan similar to this sample.
- For those unfamiliar with using a VHF marine radio, we offer these tips on the common calling procedures, including both friendly hails and distress communications.