Basic Power Boat Standard 

(DAY SKIPPER - POWER)

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OBJECTIVE

At the completion of the Basic Power boat Standard you should be able to operate safely in local waters as skipper of a boat over 6 metres and powered by an engine over 55 kW (75 hp).

PREREQUISITES

None.

ASHORE KNOWLEDGE - Basic Power boat Standard

Section I: Types of Boats

You must be able to:

1. Describe the difference between:
   a) Displacement hull and planing hull,
   b) Outboard, inboard/outboard, and inboard engines. 

Section II: Parts of the Boat and Terminology

You must be able to:

2. Identify and describe the following parts of a boat:
   

   Bow	Beam	Rudder
   Breastlines	Fenders	Spring lines
   Chine	Hatch	Ventilation System
   Cleats	Gunwale	Deck
   Hull	Keel	Transom
   Head	Freeboard	Engine well
   Stanchions	Bow line	Skeg
   Lifelines	VHF Radio	Stern line

3. Define the following terms:
   

   Aft	Making way	Ahead
   Draft	No way	Astern
   Port	Underway	Leeway
   Starboard	Forward	Wash
   Wake

Section III: The Engine and the Propulsion Unit

You must be able to:

4. Identify the following parts used in the operation of an outboard, inboard/outboard, or inboard engine:
   a) Common engine parts -
   

   Engine cover	Gear shift lever	Choke
   Starter	Throttle	Propeller
   Exhaust outlet	Fuel line connectors	Fuel line
   Fuel level gauge	Fuel tank

   b) Outboard and inboard/outboard engine parts -
   

   Tilt/trim buttons	Drive unit
   Transom mount bolts	Antiventilation plate

   
   c) Inboard/outboard and inboard engine parts -
   

   Engine bed	Propeller shaft
   Cooling water intake	Seacock

   
   d) Inboard engine parts -
   

   Rudder post	Cutlass bearing
   Fluid measuring sticks	Rudder
   Stuffing box	Flange coupling

5. Name and describe the use of the following:
   a) Fuel system: fuel tank, fuel line, fuel filter,
   b) Ignition system: spark plugs, distributor, ignition wires and coil,
   c) Cooling system: water pump, cooling water intake valve and discharge, thermostat control; 
6. Describe the importance of selecting the correct propeller and the significance of pitch and diameter; 
7. Describe how to check and maintain the following:
   

   Sea water strainer	Propeller shaft
   Steering components	Spark plugs
   Fluid levels	Alternator belt
   Water pump belt	Electric starter and battery
   Power controls and linkages	Fuel tanks;

8. Describe probable causes and troubleshooting for the following situations:
   a) Engine will not start or is difficult to start,
   b) Engine overheats,
   c) Engine seems to be running well but then slows down and knocks,
   d) Engine spits, coughs or slows,
   e) Engine knocks excessively,
   f) Engine stops suddenly,
   g) Engine is running well but boat is not moving well,
   h) Excessive vibration; 
9. List and describe the required steps to winterize an outboard, inboard/outboard, and inboard engine. 

Section IV: Safety

You must be able to:

10. List from memory:
    a) the DOT required items for a boat between 6 and 8 metres or between 8 and l2 metres in length as stated in the Safe Boating Guide,
    b) the rules for care of PFD’s and Life Jackets,
    c) the recommended method of testing for buoyancy in a PFD;
    
11. Describe the importance of the Transport Canada information plate attached to the hull of power boats; 
12. For the condition of hypothermia:
    a) Define the condition and describe the major areas of heat loss to the body,
    b) Describe treatment for mild and severe hypothermia,
    c) List correct actions to be taken by a victim in cold water to increase survival time; 
13. Describe the purpose of a safety harness in rough weather conditions; 
14. Describe:
    a) The common sources of fire and/or explosion on a power boat and methods of prevention;
    b) The danger involved and the precautions to take when recharging batteries; 
15. Describe as stated in the Safe Boating Guide:
    a) safe refueling procedures
    b) the use of each of the different types of flares, their proper storage, and the method and safety precautions in using them. 
16. List the main responsibilities of the skipper and crew as listed below:
    Skipper
    a) Safety of crew and boat,
    b) Briefing on location and operation of lifesaving and other safety equipment prior to getting underway,
    c) Assigning duties,
    d) Instruction in the safe use of the boat’s equipment while underway
    e) Obligations on observing an accident or boat in distress,
    f) Actions to demonstrate respect for other boaters and other’s property
    Crew
    a) Obey skipper;
    b) Assist skipper 
17. Describe:
    a) The reasons for keeping gear and equipment stowed in assigned places on a boat and the principles for proper stowage of exta gear and equipment,
    b) The frequency of maintenance of a recreational boat and its equipment so that it is capable of functioning at all times,
    c) The minimum items recommended for a waterproof emergency kit,
    d) Use and maintenance a marine head and holding tank system 

Section V: Seamanship

You must be able to:

18. Describe one use of each for the following knots and hitches:
    

    Bowline	Reef knot	Round turn & two half hitches
    Figure eight	Clove Hitch	Double sheet bend;

19. Describe the use of the following:
    

    Boat hook	Painter	Shackles
    Grapnel	Swivel	Towing Bridle;

20. Describe the danger of your lee shore; 
21. Describe:
    a) The features of a secure anchorage,
    b) The holding characteristics of commonly used anchors,
    c) Suitable rode makeup and handling,
    d) Scope requirements when anchoring for lunch, overnight and in rough weather; 
22. List some precautions that should be taken in preparation for heavy weather; 
23. Describe the action to be taken in the following situations: 

    a) Springing a leak	f) Capsizing your boat
    b) Steering fails	g) Running aground
    c) Dragging anchor	h) Fouling the propeller
    d) Collision with another boat	i) Engine failure
    e) Fire.

Section VI: Weather

You must be able to:

24. List three sources of marine weather information; 
25. Describe local weather hazards, the warning expected, and the identification for both the warning and the hazard. Provide suitable action to be taken to reduce or avoid their effects; 
26. Interpret the marine weather forecast applicable to the area of operation and apply that information:
    a) Determine whether it is safe to go boating,
    b) Decide how forecast changes in the weather may influence the day's planned activities.
    c) Identify the wind speeds associated with
    

    light winds	moderate winds	strong winds
    small craft warning	gale warning	storm warning

Section VII: Navigation

You must be able to:

27. Describe the importance of having a compass on board and list the precautions needed to ensure that the compass receives no undue magnetic influences; 
28. Determine the following information from the Canadian Hydrographic chart of the local area:
    

    a) Depth of water	d) Buoys and navigation aids
    b) Types of bottom	e) Lights and beacons
    c) Underwater hazards	f) Distance scale;

29. State the principles of operating a small boat around large ships; 
30. Use the Tide and Current Tables to find:
    a) Times and heights of tides at reference ports
    b) Direction and rate of current at reference stations. 

Section VIII: Boating Regulations and Rules of the Road

You must be able to:

31. Describe the types of boating accidents which need to be reported and which authority is responsible; 
32. Apply Collision Regulations Rules 13 to 21 by means of diagrams; 
33. State the name, colour and angle of visibility of lights required by:
    a) a boat under power, under sail, under or giving a tow, and at anchor;
    b) an unpowered boat less than 6 meters 
34. List six internationally recognized distress signals as stated in the Safe Boating Guide. 
35. Identify and describe the following:
    

    Pleasure craft	Power driven boat
    Sailing boat	Recommended gross load capacity
    Capacity plate	Recommended safe limit of engine power

36. Demonstrate knowledge of regulations applying to boaters:
    a) Identify the minimum required publications for operating a 10 meter pleasure boat in unfamiliar waters,
    b) Describe the guidelines for licensing and how a license number must be marked on a boat,
    c) Identify the principal acts / legislation that a pleasure craft operator should be knowledgeable about, and the areas covered by each including:
    

    Canada Shipping Act	Small Vessel Regulations,
    Boating Restriction Regulations	Contraventions Act
    Collision Regulations	The Criminal Code of Canada.

    d) Describe the process and guidelines for licensing your boat and how a license number must be marked on a boat,
    
37. Identify:
    a) Four considerations in determining the safe speed to operate a boat,
    b) The actions and precautions to be taken in reduced visibility,
    c) Your responsibilities when operating in a commercial traffic lane;
    d) The proper courtesies for operating in restricted passages and in harbours, 
38. Describe the installation, use, capabilities and limitations of a radar reflector; 

Section IX: Complementary Water Sport Guidelines

You must be able to:

39. Describe the correct techniques for the following:
    a) Driving while towing a water skier
    b) Returning a towline to a fallen skier
    c) Picking up a fallen skier;
    d) Observing the skier
    e) Water and dock starts 
40. Describe the following water ski hand signals:
    

    a) Speed up or down	d) Turn
    b) Speed OK	e) Stop
    c) Head back	f) "I'm OK" after a fall;

41. Identify the diving signal flags and appropriate boat operation when in sight of such flags. 

Section X: Trailering a Boat

You must be able to:

42. List the main criteria for selecting a trailer; 
43. Describe the importance of load distribution between the trailer and the vehicle's hitch; 
44. Explain the fundamental skills needed to back a trailer attached to a vehicle; 
45. List the main steps required when launching and retrieving a boat with a trailer; 
46. Describe how and why to pack the wheel bearings on a trailer. 

AFLOAT SKILLS Basic Powerboat Standard continued on the following page

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