FHL ROWBOAT POLICY

Visitors must receive an in-person verbal orientation before using the rowboats.  This includes weekend groups, field trip students, Whiteley scholars, etc.  If you’re wondering whether this applies to you, the answer is YES!

To get a rowboat orientation: call or email Kristy at the contacts listed below to set something up.  If it’s already after-hours or the weekend and this hasn’t been scheduled ahead of time, you may be out of luck and are NOT to use a rowboat without an orientation.

• AGE: you must be 16 to checkout a rowboat by yourself, and we need a permission slip on file from a parent/guardian. Passengers under 14 must have a parent/guardian with them (not just a user who is 16+).
• SIGN OUT: Be specific about where you are going & generous with your expected return time. When you put your name as contact person, also list your cell #. If you’ll be out past sunset, you MUST have a flashlight or headlamp to make other boats aware of you (your phone’s flashlight app doesn’t count!).  Keep this in mind if you leave in daylight but will return in the dark.  Blink and flash your light to be seen.
• WEAR LIFE JACKETS: Lifejackets must be on you & buckled anytime the rowboat isn’t tied up to a dock, and you’re personally subject to Coast Guard fines. Throw-able PFDs are also in the lifejacket shed, and can be used as seat cushions.
• WEATHER: If the “Gale Warning” board covers the sign-out sheet you may not go rowing.  If the “small craft advisory” board covers the sign-out sheet OR THE WEATHER IS WINDY, you must get permission before you can go. If you have questions, call Kristy or another contact on the Boating Weather sheet posted in the shed, but do not call after 10 p.m. If it’s that late, you’ll have to walk to town.
• BOUNDARIES: Do not take a rowboat outside of the harbor without permission. See the red line on the chart on the wall of the shed: this is the default rowboat boundary. You may circumnavigate Brown Island, but venturing along the FHL shore past the pumphouse requires permission.  Never cross between FHL and Brown Island if you see a ferry coming: they are very fast and you are very small.  5 horn blasts from any boat coming toward you indicates “danger/doubt” and that you are in the way.
• GOING TO TOWN: Row between the marina and the hill to its right, then turn left and row along the waterfront, under a walkway, & tie up at the foot of the pier at the public dinghy dock. There’s a small map of the marina posted in our shed. If you leave a boat at the Town dinghy dock, “ship” the oars: take them out of the oarlocks and lay them in the boat so they don’t damage others or break themselves.  You can leave lifejackets in the boat.
• DESIGNATE A ROWER: If anybody in your party is drinking alcohol in town, assign a “designated rower” to stay sober and make sure everyone gets back safely. If you all have too much to drink, please leave the boat in town.  Walk back or call a taxi and when you arrive at the Labs, SIGN-IN at the boat shed by writing “back in 24” under Actual Return Time.  Then, go back in the morning and get the boat!
• STORE YOUR BOAT: Return the rowboat to the FHL dock and pull it out of the water back into it’s cradle. If you can’t do this yourself, go get help. Do not leave the rowboats in the water.  Unscrew the drain plug but leave it in the boat so any water can drain if it rains.  Hang life jackets up and sign back in!
• ROWBOAT TYPES:  Respect the capacity limits of the boats – if you have a larger group / too much weight take multiple boats.

TIDES & WEATHER:

SAN JUAN ISLANDS MARINE FORECAST
FRIDAY HARBOR LAND WEATHER REPORT
FHL WEATHER STATION
FRIDAY HARBOR TIDE PREDICTIONS
CURRENT PREDICTIONS

CONTACT

Boat Safety Officer Kristy Kull at 206-543-0876 (office), or kjkull@uw.edu

Have fun!