7. Docking and Undocking PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Remember: A boat does not steer like a car, it pivots on its axis at a point approximately one-third to one-fourth back from the bow when moving forward. OUT IN
14. Navigational Rules 600 Feet above a dam is considered a restricted area. (Does not have to be marked.) 150 Feet below a dam is considered a restricted area. (Does not have to be marked.)
15. Hazards of the Mississippi Grab onto these! When all else fails. Locks and Dams
16. Hazards of the Mississippi Wing Dams Being unaware of wing dams can end up costing you.
19. Hazards of the Mississippi A pilot’s “blind spot” can extend for hundreds of feet in front of a tow. It generally takes about a mile to stop a full tow. Tows Stay out of their way!
20. Navigation Charts Bound sets of the Illinois Waterway Navigation Charts show the waterway from the Mississippi River at Grafton, IL northeast to Lake Michigan at Chicago and Calument Harbors. Bound sets of the Upper Mississippi River Navigation Charts show the Mississippi River from Minneapolis, MN, south to the mouth of the Ohio River at Cairo, IL.
21. Low Head Dams At a low head dam, a backwash forms that traps and re-circulates anything that floats. Boats and people can be caught in this backwash. The backwash of a low-head dam will carry them to the face of the dam, where the water pouring over it will wash them down under the water. A person who is caught in a low head dam struggles to the surface, where the backwash once again carries him to the face of the dam, thus continuing the cycle.
22. Rendering Assistance Be prepared to help others in trouble if at all possible but do not take unnecessary risks which could put your life in danger. Do not panic, have life saving equipment ready and approach the accident carefully. Watch for persons in the water and throw floatation devices to any who do not have any. Talk to the people and assess any injuries they may have. Administer first aid if necessary and get the people to shore as quickly and safely as possible. Remember, do not overload your own boat . If necessary take victims requiring the most assistance into the boat and enlist other boaters to help or have victims stay with their boat. Risk equipment to save lives, do not risk lives to save equipment.
23. Special Flags Divers’ Flag indicates that scuba divers are operating in the area. Stay well clear of this flag. There are specific distance-away requirements. 150’ for inland waters. 300’ in open waters. Rigid Alpha Flag is flown by a vessel engaged in diving operations. This flag does not substitute for the diver-down flag above in states that require the diver-down flag. You will usually see both flags in use. The alpha flag indicates that the vessel is restricted in ability to maneuver, in this case due to the nature of its work.
