This is the fourth installment of the five-part series on human senses as they pertain to safe boating and navigation.
The sense of “awareness” is actually a combination of communication inputs from different sources. It provides answers to four questions in regard to the operation of your vessel: who, what, when, and where? To know, understand, and properly act using this sensory skill will keep you much safer in all facets of the on the water experience, be it commercial or pleasure craft. The most common reference to this condition is called Situational Awareness. A more detailed description is found by searching the term on Wikipedia.
So what is Situational Awareness and how does it really apply to Safe Boating? It is part of all aspects of moving about, secured to the dock, or at anchor. It keeps you informed as to your surroundings, it serves to protect you from navigation dangers, warns of risk of collision, and even gives your exact geographic position on demand. It’s not just the technology that delivers the benefit, but how the data is used in the decision making process, the real crux of this necessary know-how.
Each component of this information combines with follow-on actions. These measures are then reduced down to these possibilities to every situation: Yes/No, Go/Don’t Go, and Speedup/Stop. You can see the correlation. Situational Awareness, and the capability to utilize its function, is one of the most important segments of boating. This responsibility always demands correct interpretation of the knowledge to provide reduction of risk.
Every mode of transportation has unique characteristics while in operation. The one common thread they share for safety is this valuable sensory ability. Here are some tips to improve your boating Situational Awareness:
• Always engage the duties of lookout as stated in Rules of the Road
• Understand and apply Safe Speed (Rule 6) at all times
• Know how to assess Risk of Collision (Rule 7)
• Develop tactics, strategies, and Actions to Avoid Collision (Rule 8)
• Use multiple navigation methods to confirm geographic position
• Voyage planning and weather forecast before departure
• Passenger briefing, safety, lifejackets, and emergencies
• Check lights, horn, anchor, and all other mechanical systems
• Communications, navigation, and other multi-function displays
• MOB practice exercises or discussions with passengers/crew
• Have a second in command ready to assume pilot duties if needed.
There are numerous places to acquire this basic training and development of this valuable skill. Some forms of boating safety education have been specifically designed to prepare you for what to expect. Of course, nothing replaces actual experience.
If you want to quickly improve in this aptitude then I recommend do this one thing every opportunity, because it is so true when it comes to learning and safer boating: The more you show ... the more you know.