Boating Information

Welcome aboard the Escambia County Marine Resources Division's Boating Information web page. This web page is intended to provide safety information for participants in the myriad of water-related activities available to the residents and visitors of Escambia County.

Northwest Florida is blessed with thousands of square miles of waterways, from the Gulf of Mexico to the dozens of local bays, bayous, creeks and rivers. The range of possible water-related activities is equally vast, from offshore cruising, fishing and SCUBA diving, to water skiing, kayaking, canoeing and swimming. When these activities are performed safely, they are wonderful sources of recreation and relaxation.

As the old saying goes: An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Sometimes, unfortunately, there is no cure.

Prevention of accidents on the water can be divided into several categories

• Attitude
• Knowledge
• Training
• Equipment
• Attention

The proper attitude starts with the understanding that accidents can happen, often with little or no warning. Acknowledgement of this fact makes one more likely to acquire the knowledge, training and equipment necessary for the water-related activity of interest.

Furthermore, paying attention to weather and water conditions, equipment and other people, may allow for early detection and avoidance of danger.

Obviously space is limited here but it may help to think about safety in the following categories:

• Prevention - attitude, knowledge, training, equipment, attention
• Equipment - for accident preventio as well as accident response (Ex.: First Aid Kit)
• Collision - safe speed, lookout/visibility, "Rules of the Road"
• Fire/explosion - fueling considerations, vapor detector, fire extinguisher
• Person(s) in the water - "man overboard," swimming, SCUBA diving, flags or signs
• Weather/sea conditions - weather forecasts & warnings, natural signs
• Medical emergency - CPR/1st Aid training & equipment transport
• Engine/equipment failure - spare parts & tools, communication
• Environment - fuel spill, MSD/vessel pump-outs, marine debris
• Communication - VHF radio, cellular telephone, EPIRB, flares, horn, whistle

Some of the best ways to increase safety are to join an organization and take advantage of training opportunities related to your specific area of interest.

The information found here will be useful to "old salts" as well as individuals considering new aquatic activities. In addition, there are numerous references to other sources of information.

Capt. Robert Turpin

BOAT LAUNCHING SUGGESTIONS

All data in this report was compiled by the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission.

INTRODUCTION

Backing a trailer, launching a boat and trailering it are perhaps the most intimidating aspects of boating to many newcomers. Done properly, it can become quite easy.

New boat owners often need instruction in proper launching and loading methods.

All boaters need to practice common courtesy at the ramp! Poor ramp etiquette is a common problem in some parks. Park officers spend much time at the ramp directing traffic and cooling tempers.

Below are some tips and procedures to keep your outing successful and pleasant.

PREPARING FOR LAUNCH

Before backing your boat and trailer to the ramp, prepare the boat for launch.

Find a quiet spot in the parking lot away from the launch lane traffic. Some ramps provide lanes to "prep" the boat for the water ("make ready" area).

Remove all tie-downs except the winch hook attached to the bow eye of the boat.

Remove any outboard or stern-drive tie-downs or supports. Anything that can be detached from the trailer should be placed inside the tow vehicle. Stow needed gear and required equipment in the boat (Personal Flotation Devices, fire extinguisher, signaling devices, etc.). Make a thorough pre-launch check of accessories (engine compartment blower, bilge pump, lights, battery switches, etc.) to ensure they are working.

Place any maneuvering aides equipment (boat hooks, paddles, fenders, anchors, etc.) within easy reach. Store lines where they are handy. It is a good idea to secure at least one mooring line to a bow cleat.

Turn on the blower (if equipped).

Check the boat over carefully one more time. THE BOW EYE WINCH LINE SHOULD STILL BE SECURED and the engine raised, though ready to be lowered. The blower must run a minimum of 4 minutes before starting the engine.

Everything else is ready to launch.

AT THE RAMP

Wait patiently in line at the launch ramp. When it is your turn, stay in a single lane! Pull your rig onto the ramp and back the trailer until the wheels are at the water's edge. Be slow and deliberate. This boating activity requires a degree of precision developed only with practice. (Practice in an empty parking lot or other large area).

The launch procedure can be accomplished solo, but it is much easier with two people. The second person signals the tow vehicle driver when the boat and trailer are in position. Place the tow vehicle in GEAR or PARK. Put the emergency brake on.

The second person can board the boat and lower the outboard or stern-drive unit to its normal operating position. Be sure the lowered unit is not touching the ramp.

The exhaust blower, on stern driven boats, must run for four minutes to clear any combustible fumes from bilge spaces. (Do this while the boat is being prepared for launch.) Sniff the engine compartment as an added precaution. If you smell gasoline fumes, DO NOT start the engine.

When given the signal, the vehicle driver backs slowly to a position where the engine's cooling water intakes are submerged. This assures the engine will receive adequate cooling water during warm-up, so no internal damage occurs.

Start the engine. Let it warm up. This prevents the engine from stalling at critical times when leaving the trailer.

Once the boat engine is running, check to see everything is operating properly. Ease the engine into and out of reverse a couple of times. If it doesn't stall, you are ready for the big step - backing off the trailer.

Unhook the bow winch hook. If using a fixed bunk or adjustable trailer, have the tow vehicle driver back the trailer into the water until the boat begins to float free of the bunks or bolsters. This may mean backing the tow vehicle's rear wheels into the water. It should now be possible to shift the boat into reverse and slowly back off the trailer. If not, your helper might have to push back at the bow. If this effort does not help, have the boat driver sit in the stern of the boat while someone pushes the boat back. If none of these procedures work, the trailer and boat may need some adjustment.

A multiple-roller trailer differs somewhat in that as soon as the bow hook is released, the boat should roll off with very little effort. You need not back this type of trailer in nearly as deep as a bunk trailer. Use caution. The drive unit or outboard must remain in a slightly upright position so it will not hit the ramp as the boat rolls off the trailer.

Control the launch of a roller trailer with the boat's forward and reverse throttle.

Once off, lower the drive unit.

ON THE WATER

Please do not abuse the courtesy dock areas. Courtesy docks at ramps are for loading or unloading people. Do not tie to these docks. Do not block the ramp from others who are waiting in line. Instead, quickly load additional people into the boat, then back the boat away from the ramp to await the return of the tow vehicle driver.

When they return, ease to the end of the ramp dock to pick them up.

If you boat alone, pull into temporary areas away from the ramp before proceeding to park the vehicle and trailer.

RETRIEVING YOUR BOAT

For boats with additional operators, drop off a person who is experienced in trailering to pick up the vehicle and trailer while the boat and occupants wait offshore. Do not block a ramp with an unattended boat or vehicle.

The line is formed by cars and trucks with trailers, not by boats already in the water waiting to be retrieved. Please wait your turn in line.

When first in line, back the trailer into the launch lane. The boat operator can slowly drive onto the trailer. Secure the winch hook to the bow eye. Winch the boat up to the stop and secure the winch. Be sure the boat is centered on the trailer and the lower unit is raised before pulling out.

Proceed to an uncongested area of the parking lot to further secure the boat. Use additional tie downs and support for the motors lower unit. Remove the plug to drain out any water in the boat. Do not replace the plug if the boat is to be left out in the weather.

ADDITIONAL BOATING TIPS

• Beware of slippery conditions at launch areas.
• Take time to help others if they are by themselves or having trouble.
• Please, use common courtesy when launching and retrieving. Wait your turn, stay in one lane, and keep the water lanes clear of your waiting boat until your trailer is in the water.
• Check the local weather forecast before going out.
• Be careful about leaving children unattended in vehicles on ramps while launching.
• Reminder -- trailer plates expire on the owner's birthday, consider buying a Florida "Go Fishing" Specialty Plate for your trailer and helping support fish and wildlife conservation.
• Dispose of trash properly. Remember what you take out, you should bring back. Recycle plastic, aluminum and fishing line whenever possible.