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Some areas of the world require a pleasure craft operator card when operating a motor powered, marine, vehicle. All owners of recreational watercraft must have the card to be able to get into the water. The size of the craft does not matter. It can be something as small as a one man vehicle. If it is being used for recreation, the card is needed.

The operator card basically shows that the carrier of it is competent to be at sea. They show that they are knowledgeable in certain situations and able to act accordingly. It also shows the holder is educated in nautical terms. Specific nautical terms are the areas of your own boat and directions. Starboard, abaft, the beam, and draft are a few of these must now terms and definitions.

There are many very important rules and regulations that must be known while boating. Collision procedures, allowed speed, certain operations, and restrictions are among these. You have to know the correct speed limits in all areas. Certain restrictions of operations must also be recognized and followed. In the event of a collision, you must know what to do as well.

Steering and sailing rules must be followed. You need to know when to proceed with caution and when to stay out of the way of other vessels. When light and visibility are low, specific colored lights must be turned on to avoid collision. These specific lights are designed to pierce through the low visibility, and they will alert others in the water of your location.

You must take appropriate safety measures. Notify someone on the shore of your destination and when to expect you back. This way they will know that something is wrong if you do not come back. Do not rely on your radio and other equipment, while out at sea, to send a distress message. Make sure that either a friend or family is fully informed about all of your trip plans.

Knowing the proper way to use safety equipment is also required. You must know the proper way to use floating devices, fire extinguishers, and signal flares. Education in these things will keep your passengers and yourself safe. There are also plans of action that must be known if someone goes overboard, capsizing, or the boat dies in the water due to a malfunction.

Being educated in what certain buoys mean is a must know thing. You are expected to effectively navigate by the position of a buoy to your boat. You must also be well educated in reading the weather, and understanding weather reports and warnings. This is important for safety reasons because bad weather can be fatal to boaters.

A pleasure craft operator card is a good thing for everyone to have. It will ensure that all boaters around you are as aware, and educated, as you are. This helps to keep everyone safe, and ensures a pleasant trip at sea.