A Boat Captain’s Challenge: Marine Navigation around Obstacles

by | Friday, May 9, 2014 | 0 comment(s)

Maneuvering around obstacles, such a traps and buoys, is one of the first basic skills a boat captain must build. It’s a skill that requires proper training, smart safety practices and paying attention on the water.

Receiving Proper Training for Maneuvering Your Vessel

Captains can meet the challenges of staying clear of obstacles in the water by first securing proper training in marine navigation and maneuvering methods, and then getting plenty of practice on water.

Some of the basic boating skills to traverse safely on the water and avoid obstacles include:

  • docking;
  • maintaining control over speed;
  • performing a pivot turn;
  • learning how to hold position;
  • how to approach a buoy;
  • how to stop when at high speed;
  • anchoring; and
  • backing up.

Learning how to perform each of these skills well can help you avoid the myriad obstacles captains face, such a traps, fishing lines, buoys, divers, etc. If you need extra training in vessel handling, check the National Maritime Center’s listing of approved course providers or contact your local authorities for training resources.

Helpful Rules to Avoid Lobster Traps

Lobster traps are a huge issue for captains; there are more than 3 million pots in Maine waters alone each season, according to Buck’s Harbor Marine. These traps are the mainstay for many local lobstermen.

Yes, it’s rather intimidating to travel through waters polka-dotted with tons of buoys. But, as Buck’s Harbor Marine encourages, this shouldn’t deter you because, “after all, the lobster boats get around, don't they? It just takes a careful hand on the wheel and throttle.”

You’ll have to learn how to stay clear of them for safety reasons and to avoid angering other hardworking mariners. Maine Coast Guide recommends a few tips to steer clear of lobster traps:

  • Pass through any same-colored buoys at regular intervals that you see, rather than mixed colors. (This is safe because the potwarp between them is all on the bottom.)
  • Avoid passing between the toggle and its companion buoy (because the warp between them is shallow.)
  • Be aware of the current and only pass nearby buoys when you’re downwind from them.
  • If approaching a buoy, immediately switch to neutral.

Mastering the Boating Basics

The take-away is to be aware and keep your eyes open at all times for obstacles. Maine Coast Guide explains, “Your first -- and best -- line of defense is to stay alert and steer around the buoys. In many places, it’s like weaving your way through a mine field. Turn off your autopilot and adjust your itinerary to avoid running inshore at night.”

Captains should master the basics and remember to:

  • practice good marine navigation procedures and follow all boating and navigation rules;
  • control their speed in crowded areas; and
  • know how to man their vessels safely before traversing obstacle-laden waters.

Mariner Resource for Record Keeping

If you are in need of regulation logbooks for your vessel, please check out our selection of materials in our My Vessel Logs shop. For questions or to order, call 888-468-3757. You also may place your orders online.

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