PURCHASE YOUR FISHING LICENSE HERE
Boat Operation and Safety Procedures for 13’ BOSTON WHALER
15 HP Yamaha engine
Key Lime Beach House & Mango Beach House
Preperation for boat use:
Use only the pre-mixed fuel. For your convenience we will supply the gas for the boat. It is located below the house. Please ask for assistance if you are not familiar with refueling. 1-321-961-2179
BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE:
Check prop, to be sure nothing is caught on it before starting engine - every time, including when you stop and get out of the boat for flats fishing, snorkeling or any other activity.
Check the engine steering to be sure it is moving freely.
Check to be sure the drain plug is in, located inside of the boat, below the engine.
Leave a plan with someone on shore, so they know when to expect you or where to send help.
Kill switch must be attached, in order for engine to run.
Engine must be in neutral in order to start.
Gas line must be connected from tank to engine. **Double check this each time you are going to start the engine.
Press bulb until full (bulb will harden).
Pull out choke.
Start engine and push choke in, otherwise it will cut off.
Let engine warm up at idle speed prior to operation of gears.
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS: This is the Atlantic OCEAN. Even when it looks peaceful and calm, and you are in relatively shallow water, you must always operate the boat with the greatest care, caution and respect.
If/when you beach or anchor the boat, be very aware of the tides. They change constantly, and very quickly. Water can become dangerously low within only minutes of your last observation. If you are not aware of the tide at all times, and you get stranded, you will be high and dry for several hours.
YES, you CAN capsize this boat if not vigilant in your operation, and/or if you do not respect the power of the water.
SAFETY EQUIPMENT: All children and any adults who are non-swimmers, MUST wear life jackets (PFDs) when the boat engine is running.
There MUST be a PFD on board for every person on board.
Always carry an oar or paddle, should the engine fail.
Be sure to check the fuel tank -- carry enough fuel to get out and back.
DO NOT sit on the edge of the boat when it is in operation. ALL persons riding MUST be INSIDE the boat when it is in operation.
LIMITATIONS: The boat is limited by the manufacturer to 6 people WITHOUT EXCEPTION. Even a small boat with level foam floatation can easily capsize when there are more people on the boat than are stated by the manufacturer. Again, the sea is NOT predictable. A wave can appear out of nowhere and leave even the most experienced boater with no time to think. You must be aware of your surroundings at all times.
The boat cannot be run South of Duck Cay or in the Ocean. This means you have to stay on the inside of the reef line towards the sea shore.
READING THE WATER:
- Satelite Map http://binged.it/1PK7Md0
Blue and Green water are safe for motoring. Brown water is either reef or grassy bottom, and can be unsafe. Caution should be taken when operate the boat in brown water. If you find yourself in water that is very shallow, DO NOT gun the boat, or try to turn away quickly. Shut down the boat (pull kill switch) immediately, survey your surroundings, paddle the boat to safe water before restarting the engine. ALWAYS proceed with caution, as depths and channels change regularly due to the tides. Do NOT assume that you know the waters if you have boated here previously. ALWAYS be safe!
Kayaks and Paddle Boars are only for use in the Casuarina Point/Cherokee Sound area and are not to be removed otherwise. Life Jackets are provided for your protection while using the boat, kayaks and paddle boards. Us of the kayaks and paddle boards are at your own risk and you take all responsibility. Please do not drag the kayaks and paddle boards to the beach as it will damage them.
There is an anchor for each Kayak to use when you go to the beach so that your kayak does not float away. The tide changes quick here, so pull your kayak up above the high water mark at the beach.
PADDLE BOARD SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
ALL OF THE ABOVE WILL CAUSE THE SKEGS TO BREAK ON THE PADDLE BOARD. YOU WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DAMAGE.
Shells and Sea Life ----------------- Do not remove LIVE shells or sea life from their environment.
Fishing Regulations
It is illegal...
To Take any member of the grouper family weighing less then three (3) pounds.
To use a spear within 200 yards of any island or Cay.
To take any live sea fans, corals or starfish anywhere in the Bahamas.
To take a conch that does not have a well-formed lip.
To take crawfish other than during the season which is August 1 thru March 31.
To take crawfish with a tail less than five and one half (5 1/2) inches.
To take female crawfish with eggs.