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52 ■ Chapter 6 Scuba Diving and Snorkeling Diving is a popular sport, and divers can be found in areas shared with recre- ational boaters. As diving's popularity increases, it becomes more important for both boaters and divers to take special precautions. See Chapter 4 for the specific laws affecting divers and vessel operators in your state. ◆ As a vessel operator, you should: • Be able to recognize a diver-down flag, a red flag with a white diagonal stripe, floating in the area of the divers. • Stay the legal distance away from a diver-down flag. (See Chapter 4 for the legal distance in your state.) Do not drive your vessel between a diver-down flag and a nearby shore. • Watch out for divers surfacing when you see a diver-down flag. Bubbles may indicate that a diver is below. ◆ For their own safety, divers should: • Always display the diver-down flag and stay close to the flag. • Use a stable boat that is suited for diving and anchor the boat securely. • Avoid overloading the vessel with people, equipment, or supplies. • Never dive or snorkel alone. Windsurfing A growing water sport is windsurfing (or sailboarding). Windsurfers should: ◆ Dress appropriately. • Wear a life jacket (PFD). • Wear a wetsuit to avoid hypothermia. ◆ Tell someone where you are going and when you expect to return. Give this person instructions on what to do or whom to call in case you are overdue. ◆ Avoid becoming overly fatigued. One danger of windsurfing is falling off the board and being too exhausted to swim back to it. If you feel weak, furl the sail, lie stomach-down on the board, and stroke to shore. ◆ Always be on the lookout for vessels, avoiding them and their wakes. Remember, your sail can block your view of approaching vessels. ◆ If operating in open water, be careful not to stray too far from shore. Sailing ◆ It is always wise to give sailboats a lot of space. Sailboats are usually the stand-on vessel. ◆ Sailing has its own risks that require special care to avoid. • Small sailboats are prone to capsizing and swamping. Know how to right the sailboat if it capsizes, and carry a bailer on board. • Falling overboard is common. For that reason, sailors always should wear a life jacket (PFD). • Sailors should stay aware of the water temperature. Capsizing in the early spring, the fall, or the winter involves the risk of hypothermia. ◆ Those interested in sailing should take a certified course from organizations like the American Sailing Association or the U.S. Sailing Association. ◆ Here are some tips for safe sailing. • Stay off the water during storms or periods of high winds. • Carry a flashlight in case you remain on the water after dark. Shine the light on a sail to warn approaching vessels of your presence if you have no navigation lights or if another vessel does not see your navigation lights. • Remember that sailboats with an engine must have the red, green, and white navigation lights. • Remember that the mast can be a conductor for lightning. Be aware of masthead clearance when passing under power lines and bridges. Both divers and vessel operators need to be aware of laws that affect this popular water sport. Beginners should learn to windsurf from a qualified instructor when winds are light to moderate. furl To roll up tightly and make secure Copyright © 2014 Boat Ed, www.boat-ed.com

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