Safety & Hazards

(hazards that do not move but may be affected by tides)

• Marinas, bridges, abutments, pillars, posts, docks, rocks, rock fill, sea walls
• Groins, jetties, piers (cargo & pedestrian)
• Retainer dumps, rebar, wrecks, stumps, bone yards, cables, buoys
• Dredging gear & pipes, loose lines, traps, pots, nets
• Oyster beds & sand bars
• Slippery launch pads

Safety & Hazards PDF for download (pdf)

Dynamic Hazards

(now you see them, now you don’t)

Power boats, ships, sail boats, jet skis, tugs, barges, SWBs

Rules of the Road (PDF)

• Other paddle craft, divers, swimmers
• Jelly fish, sting rays, sharks
• Intertidal zone, kelp, mud flats, large tide range
• fishing lines, fish hooks
• Flotsam, jetsam, lagan, and derelict
• Boat loading area traffic

Environmental Hazards

(Mother nature will not be fooled)

• Waves, breaking waves, rogue waves,
• Long shore currents, rip currents, tide races
• Lightning, fog
• Air temperature
• Water temperature
• Wind

Hazards of “Omission”

(Things you should have done or planned for, but didn’t)

• Prepare and Plan
• File a float plan
• Check and service your gear
• Confirm conditions suitable before launch
• Consider your skill set
• hypothermia, hyperthermia, hyponatremia, cold shock

Hazards of “Commission”

(Things you should not have done, but did)

• Some prescription drugs can exacerbate health conditions
• Count on someone else to be prepared for you
• Plan on someone else taking care of you

MISC

Critical Judgement from ACA (PDF) ACA

Booklets, Brochures & Info

Booklets, Brochures and info you can obtain (mostly free!)