FHL ROWBOAT POLICY

Visitors must complete an in-person Level I boat 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: You must wear a USCG approved PFD in accordance with its label at all times while rowing.  You can find them in the lifejacket shed at the top of the dock.
• WEATHER:  If the National Weather Service has issued a “Gale Warning” or “Small Craft Advisory” for the Northern Inland Waters area (which includes San Juan Islands), rowboats may not leave the dock.  Waterfront Staff will endeavor to display the “Gale Warning” or “Small Craft Advisory” board in the adult life jacket shed over the sign-out sheet, but it may not always be posted when a weather alert has been issued, and it may remain posted after a weather alert has ended.  You are responsible for checking the weather forecast before leaving the dock.
• 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 you may not venture past the pumphouse along the FHL shoreline.  To receive permission to take a rowboat outside the red line, you must submit a float plan to the BSO at least 24 hours in advance of your trip, and receive written approval of that float plan from the BSO.  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.
• NO ROWING UNDER THE INFLUENCE: No one shall be aboard a UW watercraft while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.  If you travel to town and are unable to follow this policy upon your return, 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!
• ROWING AT NIGHT:   If you will have a rowboat out after sunset, be sure to take along your personal flashlight or headlamp that can be turned on to show your position to an approaching boat in sufficient time to prevent a collision.
• BEACHING:If you plan to land on a beach, take one of the “classic” 12′ smooth hulled boats, and use extra care when landing.  Gravel beaches often have larger rocks that are hard to see.  Consider the phase of the tide when leaving your boat on shore: the incoming tide may wash it away when you aren’t looking!
• 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!
• LOAD BOATS APPROPRIATELY:  Different boats have different capacities: respect them!  If you have a larger group / too much weight take multiple boats.

Violation of these standards will result in loss of rowboating privileges. 

If you forget to sign back in, the first time you will be issued a warning.  If there is a second offense, you will receive a 48 hour suspension of rowboating privileges.  A third offense = permanent suspension of rowboat privileges.

USEFUL INFORMATION:

UW BOATING SAFETY
FHL BOATING MANUAL and the August 2024 PDF VERSION
2025 FLOAT PLAN (.DOC)
2025 FLOAT PLAN (.PDF)
COMMON SMALL BOAT PROBLEMS & SUGGESTED SOLUTIONS

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!