One of the biggest fears anyone boating has is for someone in their boat to be hit by the propeller. Recently there was a report of a man tubing and his leg was severely injured when the propeller of the boat that was pulling him hit him. As a skipper of a boat it is imperative that you are constantly aware of where your passengers/skiers/tubers are in relation to your propeller.
| TO PUT THINGS INTO PERSPECTIVE, DID YOU KNOW? • A typical three-blade propeller running at 3,200 rpm can inflict 160 impacts in one second. • A typical recreational propeller can travel from head to toe on an average person in less than one tenth of a second. • Most importantly! Most propeller accidents CAN be prevented! SAFETY TIPS • Before starting your engine, walk to the stern and look in the water to make certain there is no one near your propeller (people near the propeller may not be visible from the helm). • Never allow passengers to board or exit your boat from the water when engine(s) are running - even at idle and in neutral your propeller may continue to spin. • Educate passengers about the location and danger of the propeller(s). |
• Be especially alert when operating in congested areas and never enter swimming zones. • Take extra precautions near boats that are towing skiers or tubers. • Never permit passengers to ride on the bow, gunwale, transom, seat backs, or other locations where they might fall overboard. • Children should be watched carefully while onboard. • Establish clear rules for swim platform use, boarding ladders, and seating (if possible, passengers should remain seated at all times). • If someone falls overboard, STOP! Then slowly turn the boat around, and keep the person in sight as you approach. Assign a passenger to continuously monitor the person in the water. Turn your engine off FIRST and then bring the person to safety. • NEVER reverse your boat to pick someone up out of the water. If necessary, go around again. |
Article courtesy of Leisure Boating - October 2012
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