Responsible fun

Seamanship
Waterway etiquette
Trailering tips
Prevent unwise restrictions

Seamanship

Personal watercraft riders and boaters must share the waterways with other boaters, fisherman, swimmers, surfers and skiers. We therefore all have a responsibility to respect each other’s rights to safe enjoyment of the water.

A Safe Boating Course will give you the skills you need to be a safe and courteous Sea-Doo watercraft or sport boat owner.

Waterway Etiquette

Right of way

Follow these basic guidelines for safe, courteous fun on the water:

• Sailboats, commercial vessels and fishing vessels always have the right of way.
• Stay to the right of other vessels when approaching an oncoming craft, so that it passes on your left side.
• When overtaking another boat, pass on the right or left, but stay clear.
• If you are about to cross paths with another boat, the craft on the right side has the right of way.
• Slow down to let the boat on your right continue its course, then pass behind it.

Passing Port to Port

When approaching another vessel to your port (left), you can proceed normally.

Passing Starboard to Starboard

When approaching another vessel to your starboard (right), you can proceed normally.

Meeting Head to Head

When approaching a boat head on, always keep to the starboard (right).

Awareness

Traffic on the water. Constantly check for other water enthusiasts around especially near you, and know where they're heading before you make a turn or cross a wake.

Wave or wake jumping. If your course takes you across the wake of another boat, make sure your visibility is not obstructed by that boat. Stay far enough behind it so that you can see if other traffic is coming your way.

Operating speed. Follow local regulations regarding speed limits, whether posted or not. In congested areas, lower your speed.

Launch ramp etiquette

Be considerate and efficient when launching your personal watercraft or sport boat. Prepare your gear beforehand, and perform all safety checks before you get into the water. Launch in timely manner and quietly.

Noise

Be considerate of waterfront property owners and others near and on the water. Excessive noise from a poorly maintained or modified exhaust system disturbs others and is illegal in many areas.

Environments

Respect ecologically-sensitive areas. Do not spill fuel or oil and do not leave litter or other pollutants where they don't belong. Be sensitive to marine life; the water is their home.

Trailering tips

Stay informed about governmental action and prevent unwise restrictions

In the United States and Canada, the political process remains open, and legislative and regulatory actions are almost always taken by officials after public debate.

This system presents an opportunity and a responsibility to all. Because the process is open to public monitoring, citizens have a chance to speak out against misguided legislation or regulation. Indeed, many feel it is their responsibility to do so. So that you will not be surprised by anti-watercraft measures, take the following steps to remain informed about the process in your area:

• Call city hall and the county public information offices to obtain a summary of measures under consideration on the local level. In most cases, you can specify the issue or issues in which you are interested (such as proposals that would impact on watercraft).
• Write a letter to the mayor, city manager, your city council member and county commissioner (whoever represents the district you live in). Ask them to keep you informed on any debate or proposals. Remember that they work for you, and it is their job to keep you informed.
• Write a personal letter (see attached samples) or call your representative in the legislature. In most states, the clerk of the House and the clerk of the Senate can be reached at a public information number at the state capitol. In some states, information for both houses is available through one central office. Those offices can provide all the information you need about contacting individual legislators.
• Ask your legislators if there are any restrictions being debated or proposed. (Ask for a copy of the bill if one has been submitted.)
• Ask your legislators which agencies have regulatory authority for waterways. Call those agencies to determine if they might propose restrictions, and get on their mailing list.
• Identify who the other key legislators are on the issue. Who is the chairman of the committee (in both houses of the legislature) that would have jurisdiction over watercraft legislation?
• Ask your legislator to keep you informed on any debate or proposals that would affect watercraft and sport boats.

Again, remember that your representative works for you.

Email cityhall@sea-doo.com or call the Sea-Doo Hotline at 1-800-533-9138 for assistance if your calls for information to the state capitol are unsuccessful and you need help in identifying your representatives or the other key legislators, determining if legislation has been proposed or hearings scheduled, or help in writing a letter. Also you may fax information such as newspaper clippings to the hotline staff at 1-407-722-4001.

If legislation is in the works:

• If you do become aware of debate or proposals, get the details. Call or visit your representatives and ask questions. Ask for a summary of any proposals in writing.
• As soon as you become aware of restricting debate or proposals, email cityhall@sea-doo.com or call the Sea-Doo Hotline at 1-800-533-9138, or fax the information to 1-407-722-4001.
• Make your views known. Once you have the details, express your opinion in person, if possible, by telephone and in writing.
• Attend any hearings scheduled on the issue to speak out against anti-watercraft legislation.
• Determine the schedule for hearings by calling your legislator or the public information office at the state capitol.
• Contact the office of the legislator chairing the hearings and ask to be put on the list of scheduled speakers.
• Prepare your comments in advance, have them typed and be ready to distribute copies at the hearing.
• When testifying at the hearing, thank the legislators for the opportunity to make your views known, and state your position on the issue in a clear and concise manner. Be prepared to answer questions, and do not be confrontational or react defensively.
• Consider joining the American Watercraft Association (www.awa.org)

Email cityhall@sea-doo.com or call the Sea-Doo Hotline at 1-800-533-9138 for guidance on the steps to follow.