by Sailorman Chuck

Caribbean Adventures

Boating Etiquette

1. Safe boating is absolutely the most important.

2. Help boaters in need. Monitor channel 16 on the VFH at all times.

3. Maneuver at a slow speed in anchorage and mooring sites

4. DO NOT ANCHOR ON A CORAL REEF. Use the moorings that are provided for this purpose. If there are no moorings, move to a nearby safe anchorage. Yes, you will see a few uncaring folks.

5. Do not dispose of trash in the water. Only at designated onshore trash dumping areas.

6. Do not discharge oily bilge water in an anchorage or mooring area.

7. Do not discharge waste from the head (toilet) with swimmers in the water. This is a nasty habit.

8. Do not discharge waste from the head on a coral reef.

9. Do not get closer than 50 feet of another boat except in an anchorage or mooring area.

10. Keep your music and noise to yourself. Others may actually not like the same music.

11. Do not hit other boats with water balloons or other objects.

12. Be patient and be nice. After all, it is a vacation for everyone on your boat and on all of the other boats in the VI.

13. Share the work. Cooking, cabin cleaning, dishwashing and (yuck!) cleaning the head.

14. Be a friend to the locals. Always say good morning, good afternoon or good evening prior to initiating any other conversation. Do not wear swimsuits in town and refrain from loud, abusive and vulgar language. Most Virgin Islanders are very religious and somewhat shy. BE NICE and be friendly.

 

Anchoring or mooring in a crowd can be pretty exciting even during the dull moments. Caution is the better part of valor at times like these.

      Somewhere in the Caribbean or

        Contact Sailorman Chuck:

E-mail: Sailorman Chuck