Practical on-water boat handling and safety
What this domain tests
The practical on-water domain tests whether you can apply boat handling and safety knowledge in real conditions: pre-departure checks, crew briefing, low-speed control, anchoring, man-overboard recovery and bar crossing decisions.
Core practices
- Before departure: check the marine weather, fuel, battery, engine, bilge, lines and fenders. Carry and fit lifejackets, check kill switch, and brief crew on seating, balance and emergency roles.
- Underway: keep a lookout, travel at a safe speed, distribute weight evenly and trim the engine. Avoid standing or sitting on gunwales or cabin tops. Slow down for wakes, swimmers and crowded ramps.
- Man overboard: immediately shout “Man overboard”, throw a buoyant object, keep the person in sight and press MOB on the GPS if fitted. Turn back, approach into wind and current, put the engine in neutral near the person, and recover over the stern or low side.
- Bar crossing: avoid if possible. If crossing, choose a suitable tide and weather window, secure gear, wear lifejackets, keep the engine running and do not stop in the breaking zone.
Worked example
A crew member falls overboard in choppy water. You do not turn straight back at high speed. You shout, throw a lifebuoy, keep pointing at the person, and turn back using a controlled arc. Approach so the person is on your leeward side or stern, out of the propeller arc. Put the engine in neutral before recovery. Reason: the priority is keeping the person visible and avoiding propeller injury.
Exam traps
- Turning the stern into the person in the water.
- Approaching a dock too fast or against a strong crosswind without a plan.
- Forgetting the kill switch or overloading the boat.
- Stopping in a breaking bar.
- Failing to brief crew before departure.