Last year, while vacationing in the lakes region of Indiana, I read an article about an elderly couple who were underway on one of the many rivers and lakes that make up the northern part of the state.

The day outing could not have gone better until the boat hit a “loggerhead” and the man was thrown from the control station. The wife had never piloted their 42-foot vessel and suddenly was placed in a situation that she had neither experience nor training.

Fortunately, two good Samaritans heard her screams. The first vessel was able to get alongside the boat and coach her to bring the vessel’s forward momentum to a stop.

The effort was just in time as the river narrowed and became shallow a mere eighth-of-a-mile ahead.

The second vessel was able to recover her husband, who was not wearing a life jacket, treading water in the channel.

Fortunately for all concerned this situation resolved itself, but what if this had occurred just a few miles off shore? What if two good Samaritans had not been close by? What if there had been poor weather and the man was not quickly recovered?

This is a situation that no one ever wants to be placed in. It is also a position that few anticipate but unfortunately can happen more than people think.

Why is it so dangerous? What can be done to remedy the situation? Read on.

Usually people who own recreational vessels love to bring visitors to sea with them. If you own a vessel, even a small bass boat, it is just more enjoyable to bring someone with you. Quietly fishing on our local waters in the early fall is one of the best ways to relax I know.

But when you stop to think about it, do owner-operators really take the time to talk with their guests about the unthinkable, especially if the guest has rarely been underway? Chances are, they don’t. So let me give you a few things to think about.

I’ll start with the most basic. Boat owners or operators, place yourself in the shoes of a visitor or even your spouse who is not familiar or comfortable with vessels and their operation.

Before leaving the dock get the visitor, friend or non-seagoing spouse familiar with the vessel itself. If this means delaying your underway time by 30 minutes, so be it. It will be time well spent if you end up in the water unconscious because the boom hit you while coming about and you are depending on your friend to pick you up. They need to understand what equipment is above decks and how a boat maneuvers.

Remember, they are not racing in the America’s Cup, but they do need to know enough to take over if you fall overboard. Show them how to stop or reverse your engine(s).

Point out important pieces of equipment. Where are the life rings located? What do you need to do to get the EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon) out of its cradle and activated? Where are lifeboats? Encourage your spouse or guest to ask questions.

As a final step, take your visitor below decks, if there is a below decks. Your guest needs to understand where the radio is and how to operate it. Reinforce that, in an emergency, Channel 16 and the Coast Guard are your best friends. I have seen many recreational boaters attach a laminated “call sheet” on the cord of their radio, which steps the operator through the details of contacting the Coast Guard. If you have a GPS, describe how to read it.

Finally, point out to a visitor where the medical kit is and where the bilge pump is located.

Until next week…Boat Safe, Boat Smart!

Dr. Joe DiRenzo III is a retired Coast Guard officer who has been published both nationally and internationally on maritime security and terrorism issues. He has written the Suffolk News-Herald Safe Boating Column for seven years. He recently took a few months off to complete a college textbook chapter on the security of the Maritime Transportation System.