This column is the wrap-up of a multi-part series involving human senses as they pertain to Safe Boating and Navigation.
The sense of balance is an integral part conditions experienced by mariners also known as vestibular. Just as vessels on the water need balance for stability and safe movement, so do human beings that operate them. Balance also gives the feeling of acceleration. The most crucial component of this sensory is how the platform on which you are positioned is moving. The negative side of this situation is called vertigo. I’m not qualified to even describe all the causes of this human ailment but it is a real challenge when a person begins to lose the sense of balance with the aspect of adverse water surface conditions.
Have you ever been afflicted with sea sickness before? There are various remedies for this malady by taking a pill, putting a patch behind the ear, or even wearing a simple device that wraps around your wrist and compresses against a specific spot. As detailed in USCG license training, a watercraft can move in multiple paths or divergent motions when on the water and of course that depends on numerous factors, especially if in rough conditions. These common movements that can effect human balance are:
• Roll – The vessel moving back and forth on a longitudinal axis and the most common of movements encountered.
• List – A set degree of leaning over caused by off-center weight distribution. Sailboats often have a list as they move through the water.
• Pitch – The condition by where the boat is moving up and down at the bow and stern and similar to a see-saw positioned at a fulcrum. This can cause the misery of sea sickness and also can have negative effects on the stability of the vessel as well.
• Heave – A combination of pitch and roll. It can have severe consequences when it comes to vessel stability and as the old seafarer saying goes: when the boat is heaving, so are you!
• Yaw – A dangerous condition of loss of balance of the vessel and can cause catastrophic rollover of the craft if not contained or corrected quickly. It is the sideways movement of the vessel as it travels through the water causing it to lose stability or known by another deadly name, tripping.
As you can see there are many factors relating to your balance when boating. It’s how you react to these influences and the procedures you employ to reduce the effects that will determine the end results. There are countless procedures to remedy these situations and the most advantageous one to utilize is to simply Slow Down! I am not suggesting that you come to a complete stop but reduce speed enough to maintain steerageway or control of the heading of your boat that will pay the biggest dividends in safety. Many a maritime tragedy has been caused by these underway motions of a vessel and the chances of them impacting your voyage can be greatly reduced if you use proper maneuvering or handling techniques.
It is imperative that you maintain stability of not only the craft, but of you as well. Loss of balance means loss of helm control and the ability of recognizing correct alignment of movement. During my career at sea on many types of ships and ocean environments, keeping my sense of balance has enabled me to correctly navigate and direct the ship. It also works wonders to relieve the dreaded curse of sea sickness.
Boating is unique in many aspects, and the way you approach the activity should be customized in your own way. If you want to expand your understanding of marine operations, then I would highly recommend obtaining the Georgia State License, taking a Boating Safety Course, even consider joining the US Coast Guard Auxiliary or America’s Boating Club (formerly the Power Squadron). There are USCG License courses of training and exams on the marketplace, and one of the best available is US Captain’s Training, (