As a related safety item--how many boat owners take the time to show their guests/wives/kids how to do very simple things like put the boat in and out of gear, start it or show them how to use the nav equipment, vhf, or auto pilot on board. If you as the boat owner go overboard or have a heart attack or whatever--the other people on board should have at least a rudimentary understanding of what to do. That includes keeping passengers informed about where you are going, how to get back to the marina etc. Many years ago a commercial gill netter was running towards Vancouver at night, went outside to take a leak and a freighter wake tipped him overboard. He drowned because his deckhand didn't know how to shut the auto pilot off, which kept fighting the deckhand's efforts to get the boat turned around.
T2
Good point. I make a point of spending some time at the dock with any new guests on the boat. I show them:
1) The PFD they will be wearing (always an autoinflating device) and how to operate it manually if need be.
2) Where the kill switch is and how to pull it to shut off the engines.
3) How to operate the helm.
4) How to find the position of the boat off of either the GPS or the radio (I have an AIS radio so coordinates are display on it) and how to activate the MOB function on the GPS.
5) How to operate the VHF and contact the coast guard. I have sticker posted above the radio that gives the proper procedure. In particular I instruct them to give the position first, nature of problem 2nd and then other details. I make sure the know how to properly describe the boat. I also make sure they know how to activate the emergency distress button on the radio.
6) I show them where the fire extinguishers are and briefly how to operate them.
7) I show them where the flares are and how to operate them (and when NOT to use them). I also show them that I have a single flare in each vest (and/or a strobe light).
8) I show them where the backup GPS's are and where the backup VHF radio is at (adjacent to the help seat).
9) I show them where the first aid kit is at.
10) I show them where the throwable is at and where the heaving line is at. I explain how to approach a MOB and how to get the heaving line to that person.
11) I show them the location of the boarding ladder and how to deploy it.
This whole process doesn't take more than about 10 minutes and I think just going over it helps to increase their own mindset about safety. E.g. I I've go to the trouble to not only obtain all this gear but to explain it's use, they know that there is potential danger on the water and they are more likely to be careful. In addition, if I go over or have a heart attack, they are no longer completely useless but can (hopefully) get the boat back to my position and help get may butt back in the water. Finally, I think it makes my guests far more comfortable with me, the boat and conditions on the water since they get some confidence from knowing that I've thought most emergency situations through and they also know how to respond if needed.