Tips on Technology & Navigation in Speed Boats

Video Transcript

"Hi, I'm Albert Hedgepeth with Expert Village. Whenever you go out into large bodies of water, it's going to be important you have three major electronic items; a GPS, a depth sounder, and also a marine radio. And these are really going to be your outlets to what is going on in the world around you, and your line of communication whenever you need help. The GPS itself--you know, originally mariners used charts, celestial readings, and astrological tools that were very primitive, and had to find their way to a destination and arrive where they wanted with very basic tools. These days a GPS is great. With the way tides change, with the way currents and rivers really affect the banks, with the way sand bars pop up sporadically around islands, it is really important that you know the water and the water system that you're around. GPS's have data that includes depths, recent readings of tides--they also, this one includes a sonar, which acts as a depth finder, and gives you a view of what's under the boat. The depth sounder is a great backup tool whenever you do have sonar. A depth sounder is going to tell you where the bottom is. This is going to really be the lifeline. Most boats have a specific draw, which draw is the amount of water that the boat needs to stay afloat. They usually have a draw with the engine trimmed up, and with the engine down. So, knowing your depth, being able to see what the water is doing and where it is around you--these tools are going to work together, simultaneously. If you do get into to trouble and you get grounded, or if you're having trouble with your boat and you need help, your radio is going to be your lifeline. Channel 16 is the national Coast Guard channel that they monitor. If you do need help, you need to go to Channel 16 on your radio, and you hail the Coast Guard. Tell them where your vessel is, use your GPS to find your longitude and latitude, and go ahead and call in so that you can get help. As long as you do this, most boat rides are pretty fun."