Bermuda Radio: Marine Safety Over Holiday
The Bermuda Maritime Operations Centre has issues marine safety advice for the Cup Match weekend, their full statement follows below:
Ahead of the Cup Match Holiday and what is probably the busiest boating weekend on the Bermuda calendar, Maritime Operations Centre staff want you to enjoy the holiday – but also consider some marine safety advice over the Cup Match weekend.
- Every boat on the water with a VHF radio should be monitoring Channel 16 in case an emergency incident occurs near to your position and you happen to be the closest boat in the area able to help.
- If you get into trouble and have a cellular telephone available you may also call 911 and ask for Marine Rescue. Your call will be routed straight through to the Marine Rescue Co-ordination Centre.
- Keep in mind that SPEED KILLS. Don’t operate your boat at high speed during the hours of darkness and definitely slow down if you have consumed any alcohol – whether or not you consider yourself to be under the legal limit. If your judgment could be impaired even slightly, remember that not every rock is marked or every channel buoy is lit. Speed at night is a historical killer locally and worldwide.
- RESPECT the 5 knot, no wake zone when you are within 100 meters distance of the shoreline. 5 knots of speed is basically a brisk walking pace. Look behind you and check your wake. If you are causing more than a 6 inch wave behind you – SLOW DOWN some more.
- If you are not sure how far 100 meters from shore is, consider this…. 100 meters is approximately 330 feet which is about the length of the Cabinet Office Grounds along Front Street. 100 meters is also approximately the length of the Swing Bridge across Ferry Reach. If you are that distance from shore – proceed at slow speed or risk a ticket. You may also be required to pay damages to others should your wake cause damage or injury to other boaters moored nearby.
- As a rule, most public beach areas are off-limits to power craft given the danger to swimmers. If you’re not sure, keep at least 100 meters away from public park swimming areas at all times.
- Use your navigation lights between sunset and sunrise and if your boat’s lights do not work – be back at your mooring before darkness sets in.
- Personal Water Craft are fast, highly maneuverable and potentially great fun. In the wrong hands they can also kill – be it through a collision with other boaters nearby or persons in the water. They should be operated away from shore in open water areas during daylight hours only. Within 330 feet or 100 meters of any shoreline you should only be moving at a brisk walking pace (5 knots of speed).
- File a float plan with someone before you head out and update them if your plans change. Use the free services of Bermuda Radio and call them on your marine VHF – particularly if you are venturing offshore.
In addition, there is a Marine Speed Amendment in effect for the Non-Mariners Race, which will be held in Mangrove Bay, Somerset on Sunday July 31st.
Referred to as the MARINE BOARD (CONTROL OVER MARITIME TRAFFIC) (NO. 3) NOTICE 2011 and issued by the Minister of Transport:
“A 5 knot, no wake area will be established for the waters of Mangrove Bay, west of a line extending from the eastern tip of King’s Point to the north side of Watford Bridge on Boaz Island during the hours of 12:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.
This area will be patrolled by Police Marine Section vessels and boats from the Bermuda Regiment. All mariners transiting this area should proceed with extreme caution due to the anticipated high number of recreational vessels at anchor with swimmers in the water during this period.”
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