Motorboating

Motorboating
BSA Supply No. 33345

With the fun of operating a motor boat boat comes the responsibility for keeping that boat in first-class condition, knowing and obeying the nautical "rules of the road," and gaining the general knowledge and skills to operate a boat safely.

Requirements

Show that you know first aid for injuries or illnesses that could occur while motorboating, including hypothermia, heatstroke, heat exhaustion, dehydration, sunburn, insect stings, tick bites, blisters, and hyperventilation.
Do the following:
1. Identify the conditions that must exist before performing CPR on a person. Explain how such conditions are recognized.
2. Demonstrate proper technique for performing CPR using a training device approved by your counselor.
Before doing the following requirements, successfully complete the BSA swimmer test. Jump feetfirst into water over your head in depth, swim 75 yards or 75 meters in a strong manner using one or more of the following strokes: sidestroke, breaststroke, trudgen, or crawl; then swim 25 yards or 25 meters using an easy, resting backstroke. The 100 yards or 100 meters must be swum continuously and include at least one sharp turn. After completing the swim, rest by floating as motionless as possible.
Show you know safety laws for motorboating:
1. Have a permit to run a motorboat, if needed.
2. Explain laws affecting pleasure boating in your state.
3. Discuss with your counselor how the hazards of weather and heavy water conditions can affect both safety and performance in motorboating.
4. Promise that you will live up to the Scout Boating Code. Explain the meaning of each point.
5. Discuss with your counselor the nautical rules of the road and describe the national and your state's aids to navigation.
6. Explain and show the correct use of equipment required by both state and federal regulations to be carried aboard a motorboat.
7. Explain the requirement on federal and state ventilation rules and state why this is needed.
Show you know how to run a motorboat by doing the following the right way:
1. Get in a boat.
2. Fuel and check motor before starting.
3. Start motor and get under way from a dock or beach.
4. Run a straight course for a quarter mile. Make right-angle turns to left or right. Make a U-turn.
5. Stop boat. Drop anchor. Raise it. Get under way.
6. Come alongside a dock. Tie up or beach.
Show how to:
1. Tie up or take boat from water.
2. Store gear.
3. Prepare motor for the winter.

Resources

Scouting Literature

Canoeing, First Aid, Fire Safety, Fishing, Fly-Fishing, Lifesaving, Pioneering, Rowing, Small-Boat Sailing, Swimming, Waterskiing, Weather, and Whitewater merit badge pamphlets; Boy Scout Handbook and Fieldbook

Books

Aarons, Richard N. Small-Boat Seamanship Manual. International Marine/Ragged Mountain Press, 2006.
American Red Cross. American Red Cross First Aid: Responding to Emergencies. Staywell, 2005.
Armstrong, Bob. Getting Started in Powerboating. McGraw-Hill, 2005.
Browne, Steven D. Nautical Rules of the Road: The International and Inland Rules, 4th ed. Cornell Maritime Press, 2006.
Larkin, Frank J. Basic Coastal Navigation: An Introduction to Piloting, 2nd ed. Sheridan House, 1998.
Low, Charles T. Boat Docking: Close Quarters Maneuvering for Small Craft. Harvey Island Enterprises, 1997.
Maloney, Elbert S. Chapman Piloting and Seamanship, 65th ed. Hearst, 2006.
Sergeant, Frank. Complete Idiot's Guide to Boating and Sailing. Alpha Books, 2005.
Siminoff, Roger H. Boating 101: Essential Lessons for Boaters. International Marine/Ragged Mountain Press, 1999.
Stagner, Eugene. Understanding the Outboard Motor, 3rd ed. Prentice Hall, 2002.
Thompson, Luke. Essential Boating for Teens. Children's Press, 2000.
U.S. Sailing Association. Start Powerboating Right! United States Sailing Association, 2003.

DVDs

The following DVDs are available from Bennett Marine Video (Web site: http://bennettmarine.com):

Back to the Basics of Boating
Back to the Basics: Improving Your Boating Skills and Knowledge
Back to the Basics: What to Do When Things Go Wrong
Boating Basics for First-Time Boaters
The Encyclopedia of Boating Tips
On-the-Water Boating Tips
100 Boating Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Top 60 Boat-Handling Tips

Organizations and Web Sites

North American Safe Boating Campaign
Web site: http://www.safeboatingcampaign.net

Online Small-Boat Sailing Course
Web site: http://www.smallboat.sailingcourse.com

U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary
Web site: http://www.cgaux.org

U.S. Coast Guard Boating Safety and Regulations
Web site: http://www.uscgboating.org

U.S. Sailing Association
15 Maritime Drive
P.O. Box 1260
Portsmouth, RI 02871-0907
Web site: http://www.ussailing.org