Carver 46 VOYAGER, Owner'S Manual

Page: 26 / 180

B
OATING
S
AFETY
4627 9/02
S
ECTION
1
Smoking, poor maintenance or carelessness when refueling can cause
hazardous conditions. Always follow proper refueling procedures for your
boat.
1.3.2 Flooding
If your boat is taking on water from a leak in the hull, turn on your bilge
pumps. Assign someone to bail out the bilge and investigate the cause of the
flooding. When the source of the leak is found, attempt to repair it.
Almost anything can be stuffed into a hole to stop the leaking temporarily.
Material used to stop a leak will work better if it is applied from the outside
where water pressure can help hold it in. If necessary, station a crew mem-
ber to hold the plug in place if the plug is applied from the inside. In all
cases, station a crew member or passenger to watch the plugged area and
alert others if it fails.
1.3.3 Swamped or Capsized Boat
If your boat becomes swamped or capsizes, put on a personal flotation
device immediately and set off a distress signal. Chances are good a cap-
sized boat will stay afloat. For this reason, stay with the boat. Do not leave
the boat or try to swim to shore except under extreme conditions. A capsized
boat is easier to see than a swimmer, and the shore may be further away
than it appears.
If water is coming over the bow, reduce headway and turn the boat slightly
so that the bow is slightly off from meeting the waves head on. Drop a sea
anchor over the stern of the boat and adjust the length of the line to hold
the bow at the most favorable angle.
1.3.4 Collision
If a serious collision occurs, check everyone onboard for injuries, then
inspect the boat to determine the extent of the damage.
• Prepare to help the other craft unless your boat or its passengers are in
danger.
• If the bow of the other craft penetrated your boat’s hull, prepare to plug
the fracture once the boats are separated.
• Shore up the hole inside your boat with a spare life jacket or bunk
cushion.
• While plugging the hole, trim weight to get the hole above the water
level during repairs, if possible.