eQuizShow

Boat Safety

Before Setting Out

Question: What's the rule for checking weather before going out on a boat?
Answer: "If in doubt, don't go out". (or any variation of that kind)

Question: Apart from your boat, what else should you check before setting out for a day?
Answer: The trailer and any other apparatus used in transporting your boat.

Question: How much fuel should you have before going anywhere?
Answer: Enough for the return trip plus an extra margin of at least 50%.

Question: What are the four things that a responsible person staying at home should know?
Answer: - the description of your boat (including registration number)
- the number of passengers
- where you are going on your boat
- your expected time of return or arrival


Question: What type of EPIRB has been illegal since 2010?
Answer: 121.5MHz EPIRBs.

Fires

Question: What is the main cause of fires on boats?
Answer: AC/DC wiring or appliances.

Question: How often (approximately) do fires start on boats for unknown reasons?
Answer: 5% of all fires on boats are classified as having "unknown causes".

Question: According to Australian regulations, how many fire extinguishers must a boat that is 9m long carry on board?
Answer: Two. This is regulation for all boats between 8m and 12m.

Question: If you have a red fire extinguisher with a white stripe, what kind of fire extinguisher is it?
Answer: It is a dry chemical fire extinguisher.

Question: What is the minimum fire protection equipment that a 10m long boat must carry? (Hint: there are four items)
Answer: - a fixed fire extinguishing system
- one dry chemical fire extinguisher
- one fire blanket
- one bucket with lanyard


Safety Equipment

Question: What is the most important piece of safety equipment on any recreational vessel?
Answer: Your life jacket.

Question: When is a recreational boat required to carry ONE lifebuoy?
Answer: When it is longer than 8m but shorter than 12m.

Question: What is required if a boat is up to and including 4.8m long?
Answer: A pair of oars with oarlocks.

Question: Is it mandatory to carry a dinghy or life raft when your boat is:
(a) >10m long
(b) >12m long
(c) >14m long

Answer: (b) It is required if the boat is 12m or longer.

Question: What has been a safety requirement for all boats since 2009?
Answer: A 406MHz "emergency position indicating radio beacon" (EPIRB)

Dangerous Situations

Question: How common is grounding? (This is defined as a shock or touch of the hull to the sea floor or coastline for more than 15 minutes)
Answer: Almost one-third of all marine and boating accidents are groundings.

Question: If you have to abandon your boat, should you stay close to it or try to make for shore?
Answer: Don't leave your boat. 

There are several reasons for this, including that boats are easier for rescue efforts to find.
Of course, there are exceptions to this rule. If it isn't safe for you to remain near your boat, then leave. But try not to make for shore, it's often further away than it looks.


Question: If you're caught in a thunderstorm, is it safe for you to steer from a metal steering wheel?
Answer: Yes. Most boats these days have hydraulic steering that is perfectly safe to use in a thunderstorm. 
The only exception is if your boat uses copper hydraulic lines. Then it is incredibly unsafe to use a metal steering wheel.


Question: If a person falls overboard, how should you try to approach them to bring them back onto the boat?
Answer: You should try to approach the person from downwind.

Question: If you are experiencing irritated eyes, headaches, nausea and/or dizziness, what are you experiencing and what should you do?
Answer: You would be showing symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning and should:
- turn off the source (usually the boat's engine) if possible
- evacuate the area and if possible attempt to ventilate it
- bring all affected victims into fresh air and if possible administer oxygen
- contact medical help
- administer CPR to any victims not breathing


Unsafe Practises

Question: When is it acceptable to mix drugs/alcohol and boating?
Answer: Never.

Question: How many people who are operating a boat when an accident occurs don't have any formal training at all?
Answer: Approximately 70%.

Question: Before launching the boat from it's trailer, ensure that the ______ are in place. (Hint: it's plural)
Answer: Bungs. (a bung is the technical name for the stopper that goes in the drainage port)

Question: What should you ALWAYS wear when out on open water?
Answer: A life jacket.

Question: How do you keep a boat safely balanced?
Answer: Don't have all passengers on the same side of the boat.