Your boat capsizes and floats away what should you do? In case of capsizing it is imperative that you immediately try to regain control over your boat by making use of emergency equipment which will help you to stop your boat and save yourself and your friends.
There are helpful tips that can help to prevent a capsize:
- You should know your boat’s limitations point that is an area of concern.
- Do not overload your boat, always try to maintain a balanced weight.
- Pump out the bilges water whenever it is required to do so.
- Try to maintain a good safety margin.
- Understand when you must yield to conditions.
- Avoid riptides areas that are very dangerous for a small boat.
- Try to avoid abeam long waves.
The question is when your boat capsizes and floats away what should you do?
aa) Swim up under the boat to stay out of the wind
bb) Swim away from the boat and tread water
cc) Hang onto the boat or climb onto it
dd) Remove your life jacket and wave it to signal for help
The answer is actually all four. But the best answer is c) Hang onto the boat or climb onto it.
There are few things as terrifying as seeing your boat spin out of control and capsize in the water. The feeling of helplessness is overwhelming when you have to watch it float away while you’re still in the water, but if this has happened to you, don’t panic. You can use some basic tips for surviving a capsized boat and getting back on dry land.
Your Boat Capsizes and Floats Away What Should You Do?
The good news is that this scenario isn’t as bad as it sounds. Your boat can still provide safety for you while it’s floating away from you, but there are some things to keep in mind. Your biggest risk is hypothermia – your boat will offer protection from wind and rain, but it is still very cold water. Your first priority should be to get out of the water and to your boat as quickly as possible.
Until you can do that, don’t worry about anything else – the less time you’re in the water, the more likely you are to survive. Your first objective should be to swim to the nearest land if you have the strength and are able. If that is not an option, then locate your overturned boat and get as close to it as possible in order to keep warm until help arrives. Your priorities are warmth, shelter, and signaling. Your boat is your best bet for all three of those things.
Your survival suit or life jacket will help keep you afloat but make sure it stays on at all times. Your life jacket will keep your head above water. Your clothing can get heavy when it’s wet, so remove anything that isn’t essential – remember your safety is more important than any possessions you might risk losing in the water. Your PFD has a strobe light and whistle sewn into it – use all these items to attract attention.
Tell your passengers to not take off their life jackets – they will be easier to spot if they are wearing them. Your crew should do a headcount to make sure everyone is still present and accounted for. Your passengers should also know that they should stay with the boat and not swim away to get help unless they are good swimmers. You need everyone together to have a better chance of survival.
Once your boat has floated far enough away from you, it’s time to use other signaling devices to get attention to your need for help. You must have a mirror or a whistle to signal for help – it can be done without them but is much more effective if you have one. Your mirror or whistle will give you the best chance of being spotted by other boats and rescue crews.
Parachute Flare, flashlights, or a flare gun are good ideas if you have them on board. Your flares and flashlight should be easy to find in case of an emergency – don’t leave them stashed away in your cabin or below deck. Your boat’s flag is also very important for signaling – if you haven’t grabbed it during the capsizing, make sure you have it ready to deploy.
Steps That Must Be Taken Before a Boat Capsizes
Check the weather to ensure your trip will be safe. Your boat will provide the best protection in bad weather, but there are other things to consider before you set off. Your trip should be postponed if the weather isn’t good enough for safe passage – don’t take chances, especially if your boat is light and unseaworthy. Your boat may have more protection from the wind and waves, but it’s not supposed to be out on open water in a storm – think about your safety before you go out.
Check your boat anchor and tether it to something secure. Your anchor will help you avoid drifting away when you are out on open water. Your boat’s tether or rope should be inspected for fraying or other damage before you leave.
Avoid drastic turns and quick accelerations. Your turns should be slow and gradual to prevent capsizing – one sudden turn could send your boat right over. Your quick acceleration may also risk an accident if you aren’t prepared. Your engine should be able to handle your boat’s weight and the conditions.
keep your center of gravity low. Your boat is at a higher risk of capsizing when your engine and equipment are positioned too high or when you have passengers on board. Your passengers should sit in the middle of the deck to keep your boat balanced. Don’t allow passengers to lean over the edge of the boat. Your passengers should be prepared for the trip and know what they need to do.
Passengers must know how to swim. Your passengers should be wearing a life jacket at all times when they are on the boat.
Your boat’s equipment should be working and ready to use before you leave. Your safety equipment like your flares, mirror, or whistle may not work if they aren’t in good condition. It’s always better to check them one last time than to suddenly realize they need fixing when you’re out on the water.
Your hull may have been damaged during your last trip – a cracked or broken hull could sink your boat if it gets worse out on open water. Check your hull for signs of damage and repair any problems before you set out.
Your boat’s quick turns and strong movements are more likely to send it right over if other boats or large swells are around. Your focus should be on avoiding dangerous situations – large waves or close boats could pose a problem. Your boat’s speed should be slowed before you make your turns and avoid other boats that are too close to you.
Your craft may not float for much longer if it is overloaded – the weight of your passengers, equipment, and cargo may sink it or cause it to capsize. Your passengers should be limited and your equipment removed before you go out – consider a lighter load or smaller party if you need to leave some things behind.
Conclusion
Boat capsizes and floats away? What should you do? Well, first thing’s first. Stay with the boat. Your swamped pleasure craft is easier to see from a distance. Signal for help using other devices such as visual signals (wearing a lifejacket or PFD), whistle, or mirror. Tell others passengers what they need to do in case of emergency like counting heads and wearing a personal flotation device/life jacket. Reach, Throw, Row, or Go rescue techniques can save lives when there are no boats around to provide assistance.
What Should You Do If Your Small Boat Capsizes?
If your small boat capsizes, remain calm and take the following steps:
1. Assess the situation and ensure that everyone on board is safe. If someone is injured, call for help immediately.
2. If the boat is still floating, try to right it using whatever means you have on hand (pushing from the shore, using a pole or oar, etc.).
3. If the boat cannot be righted, or if it begins to sink, get everyone aboard into the water and away from the vessel as quickly as possible.
4. Swimmers should stay together and head for shore; non-swimmers should cling to anything that will float and wait for rescue.
Should You Stay With the Boat If It Capsizes?
If you’re on a boat that capsizes, staying with the vessel could save your life. Here’s why:
1. The Boat May Right Itself. If your boat capsizes, it may right itself. This is especially true if the vessel is small and lightweight. Once the boat rights itself, you can climb back on board and continue your journey.
2. You May Be Rescued Quicker If you stay with the capsized boat, rescuers will be able to find you more quickly. If you swim away from the vessel, it will be much harder for them to locate you (exact location) in the water. In addition, if there are other people on board the capsized boat, they’ll need your help to survive until rescue arrives.
3. The Boat May Offer Flotation and Protection In some cases, staying with the capsized boat may be your only hope of survival.
The vessel itself can provide flotation and protection from the elements – including sun exposure and hypothermia-inducing cold water temperatures. In addition, many boats are equipped with emergency supplies like flares or radios that can help signal for help.
Should You Swim to Shore If Your Boat Capsizes?
If you are a good swimmer and close to a shore then you can swim towards land. But, If you are far from shore, try to stay with capsized boat and give signal for help. If you are close to shore, focus on getting yourself and any other survivors out of the water as quickly as possible.
Once everyone is out of the water, assess the situation and decide whether it is safe to stay where you are or whether you need to move to a more secure location.
