Safety: About Line Fouling
I see more lines in the water the first few weeks of spring than the entire rest of the year. Here are a few reasons and tips.
Most lines have sat up unused all winter, and are brittle.
Most boaters have sat up all winter & forget how to secure lines properly.
There has been less boat traffic to clear out the lines.
As tide levels begin to rise more shore debris is carried out to the lake
The water is lower, crab trap lines have a longer lead than in the summer (always pass upwind/current of trap floats and watch out for dock lines)
Warning if you go down to check your boat and a fish hook finds you before you find it . . . . .
Always
carry a knife Blade out thumb opposite blade-
Your less likely to stab
yourself this way
Never tie lanyards to yourself, somebody penciled in this
addendum on one of our safety sheets, and its Dead wrong. In an
environment where you can become ensnared with out air Bring a serrated knife,
and maybe a backup knife That's It.
Always
have someone watching you on the surface.
That person should also have a knife and be ready to jump in should you signal a problem or fail to surface.
Always
Approach the props, rudders, and pilings slowly, if there is a hook this
where you will usually find it.
Always
have air, If you do not and are intent upon snorkeling the boat -
Rehearse your dive with your spotter
* How long they will wait before going in after you
*How they will free you and remain free themselves
*How you will signal a problem before your time runs thin
I encounter hooks every now and then, not often but once I snorkeled down to check a zinc and caught my glove on a hook. I got lucky, I couldn’t pull the glove free. If it would have got any part of me, there would be one less dive company around.
Many people including most of my customers do check their boats, Which I do not want to deter, in fact I think if some of our competition’s customers would check their boats, We would get more business. It is concerning how few people I talk to that never consider finding a hook down there. It is easy enough to prepare for and I never want hear the story that could have been easily prevented. Scare tactic advertising is a load of junk about gators, snakes, and bacteria which is silly; This is practical advise that you ought to know and use to protect yourself. By all means I encourage checking your boat but be careful.
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