In the second of two articles, Seaworthy , the BoatU.S. Marine Insurance journal, outlines some things that a regular crew member or guest should know about getting help if the skipper is suddenly disabled. Anything from food poisoning to a fall or a heart attack could leave the skipper unable to operate the boat. In such an emergency, someone else would have to take the helm and get the boat back to port. That could be you.

The first article described how to get help using the VHF radio or visual signals. But what if you can’t get a response on the radio and no other boat comes close enough to see you? You could simply wait. Hopefully, the skipper has a filed a "FLOAT PLAN" to let someone know the boat’s destination and planned return time. Even without a float plan, dock neighbors or family might alert authorities when you are overdue. But why wait? And what if there is a medical emergency and you are far from shore? Even if you have made contact on the VHF radio, you might be asked, depending on the circumstances, to get underway to rendezvous with a rescue vessel. If you are a regular on the boat you should know enough about its operation to bring her home or at least reach safe harbor.

Let’s assume the boat’s engine has been running earlier in the day but now is stopped. It might have been turned off for fishing, swimming, sailing, or just plain relaxing, Decision time already!

Lowering an anchor is the thing to do only if the goat is likely to drift into greater danger such as a surf, rocks, or busy commercial ship channel. If you have no experience or training handling the anchor, now is the time to get the skipper to show you how. It could injure your hands or feet, or simply get tangled and prove useless if some basic procedures are not followed.

What if the boat is at anchor? What are your choices? Of course, you can stay at anchor if the nature of the emergency allows and a float plan was filed so someone knows you are out there. Try the radio periodically while waiting. Or you can raise the anchor if familiar enough with how to do it safely. In this case, it is a good idea to start the engine before raising the anchor.

If raising the anchor is unfamiliar or too laborious, or if a medical emergency dictates time is critical, you can "slip the anchor," i.e., cut it loose! The line can be untied, but the very end of the anchor line is tied somewhere inside the boat and may be difficult to get to, adding to your frustration. Cut the line with a knife from a tackle box or galley and let it go. But first, if time permits, tie a life jacket or cushion to the anchor line to serve a s a marker or the abandoned anchor. It could help rescuers find you and allow retrieval of the anchor later. It also will help you avoid driving the boat over the anchor line which could foul the propeller and add to your problems.

The complete start-up routine when leaving the dock could include opening fuel valves and seacocks, turning switches, and other mystic rituals. Since there are so many variations, no article can explain how to operate a specific boat. Get the skipper to show you where things are BEFORE an emergency develops.

Beyond the systems unique to each boat, there’s not much to it. If the boat has a gasoline engine (other than outboard) it has a blower that should be run for at least four minutes before starting the engine. This is to clear the bilge of gasoline vapors that might have accumulated over time. The nature of the emergency might dictate shortcutting that step, especially if the engine has been running recently. Then there is an ignition switch or key, a throttle, and a shaft – much like an automobile. For starting, the throttle usually is set low, just above idle, and the shift handle must be in neutral.

On diesel powered boats, there may be no switch or key to turn on, just a button to push. But the throttle handle might have to be moved up out of a "stop" position to allow the engine to start. As with a gasoline engine, be sure the shift is in neutral.

Shifting, changing speed and steering are best done slowly and gently. That way, you will have a better feel for how the boat is responding to your coaxing. Boat steering doesn’t respond instantly like a car. Pause between movements of the wheel or tiller to see what the boat does in a few seconds. You should be going slowly, at least until you feel comfortable with the controls. Patience is needed here because boats don’t steer as well at slower speeds. How do you know which way to go? That is for another issue, but taking a boating course is the best answer.

If you are inexperienced at docking the boat and don’t feel comfortable learning under stressful conditions, fine. This is no time for high speed maneuvers. Remember, a boat has no brakes! Slowing or stopping a boat is a three-step process. First, reduce speed all the way to an idle, then put the shift in neutral and pause for a moment, and then put the shift in reverse. The boat not only will take a long time to stop, but is likely to assume some new direction other than where you want to go. Just concentrate on not getting within a block of anything: a dock, the shore, or another boat. When in doubt, slow down, shift to neutral and let the boat coast or drift. If you have forgotten how, just turn off the ignition switch (on a diesel, there may be a "stop" button to press).

Try to get close enough to other boats or a dock so that you can attract attention. There are a number of ways to visually indicate a need for assistance, the easiest of which are waving outstretched arms and flashing a bright light, like the boat’s search light, on and off repeatedly about once each second. Don’t forget your electric link with the world – the radio. Even though it didn’t work before, someone might hear you now that you are closer to other boats and docks. Let other boaters come to you and come aboard to assist.

Of course, there are endless possible scenarios which cannot all be addressed here. Get familiar with the basic operation of a boat where you spend a lot of time, practice handling the boat under no-stress conditions, take a boating course, and play "what if" under various boating and weather conditions. You can handle it – and you might save a life.