Welcome on board MV Aurelia Dawn

Apologies in advance for the curt/stern tone of the below.  Safety is paramount, and there is not an appropriate writing technique to soften the message, which would compromise safety.

These rules are for your safety, and for the safety of other people and vessels, as well as the environment. We require all guests comply with these rules when on board. 

That being said, please understand that there are two sets of rules on MV Aurelia Dawn: one for our guests, and one for the crew. If you see a crew member doing something, that does not mean a guest can do that. A reminder of these rules will be provided prior to departure.

Note, a visual thumbs up will be requested from each guest by the crew prior to departure. This will indicate that you are ready to get underway, and you confirm you understand these rules. (Think of this as the verbal confirmation when you sit in an exit row on a plane.)

Basic Rules (these are the important ones) 

The skipper (and crew) are responsible for your safety while on board MV Aurelia Dawn. As such, any instructions or directions from the crew must be complied with.

Fire is the biggest risk to any boat.  MV Aurelia Dawn is completely smoke free. No use of any smoking devices are permitted on board. No flames of any kind are permitted. Please leave cigarette lighters, matches, etc in your car or at least on the pier and do not bring aboard.

The owners and crew of MV Aurelia Dawn are committed to being responsible stewards of the environment. Nothing goes overboard (this includes food, scraps and trash). It is illegal for waste or garbage to go overboard, even by accident (“the wind blew it” is not an excuse). There are potential fines/penalties if a law enforcement officer (e.g. Game Warden) sees something go overboard. Please see the “what should guests bring, and not bring” page for suggestions when you plan a visit.

When the boat is undocking or docking, all guests will remain seated in the cockpit area or the salon. The skipper, or crew, will indicate the areas where seating is permitted during this time. Persons under the age of 13 will be required to remain in the salon (“below”) during this time.  We know that you may be eager to help, and certain guests may be requested to assist, but the best way to help is to facilitate free/quick movement of the crew. 

Contact between the boat and dock/pilings is normal, and can cause crushing injuries to hands, feet, etc if they get in the way. Keep all body parts well inside while going out or coming in. Resist the urge to fend off the boat – Aurelia Dawn’s dry weight is 22,500 lbs (more than 11 tons), so she will not easily be slowed by your pushing on the dock, and more than likely the skipper will use sudden thrust to move the boat, which could throw you overboard. “Wharf rash” to the boat is less expensive than a fractured hand or skull.

When the boat is underway, unless directed by the skipper, please remain seated in the cockpit area or the salon.  The boat can and will move suddenly and without warning, particularly when docking. Even on calm days, wake from passing vessels can cause the boat to rock with no warning. When cruising, sudden turns or changes in speed are possible due to other vessels, avoiding debris in the water, mechanical failure, etc. It is very likely you will get wet while underway and not below.

When moving around on board, every guest should keep feet planted and one hand supporting you at all times. With few exceptions, the decks are not flat — they are multi-leveled and sloped to allow for water damming and run-off. These are trip hazards.  Remember you should have two feet and at least one hand in contact with the boat at all times. Non-slip footwear is highly recommended when on board. Bare feet will also work.

No running at any time. All body parts must remain inside the boat at all times while underway.

Guests are not permitted (unless approved by the crew) to be on deck forward of the helm while the vessel is underway. The gangways are quite narrow and one must hold the rails (which will be pointed out to you by the crew) while climbing forward. The forward decks are sloped.

There is a glass skylight in the fore deck, just forward of the windshield and a clear plastic hatch just aft of the anchor windlass. Please do not stand or step on these, as they are not designed to support weight.  Do not climb on the windshield or attempt to climb onto the hardtop. Do not climb onto the rails – they are designed only for support while moving forward.

All guests will have a personal flotation device (PFD) available. Any guest under 13 must wear a PFD while the boat is underway (this is the law). Parents are responsible for ensuring their children adhere to this.

When anchored and the crew advises that swimming is permitted, you may (carefully) jump into the water from the swim platform or from the gunwales around the aft cockpit area where there are no rails.  Do not attempt to jump off the rails. There is a folding ladder on the swim platform to aid in climbing out of the water.

Vessel Operations

Head (Toilet) Operations: only human waste and provided toilet paper should be put in the toilet. No other items (e.g. tissues, feminine hygiene products, napkins, etc.) can be put into the toilet at any time, as they will clog the sewer lines or pump, which must then be hand-cleared. Violators will assist in this task.

Head Operations (Part 2): To flush the head:

• The vacu-flush light should be green.
• Add water first (a little more for solids), by LIFTING the foot lever next to the toilet (with your foot). 
• Flush by PUSHING the foot lever next to the toilet (with your foot); there will be a quite loud WOOSH and the waste will be sucked into the toilet to the holding tank via sewage lines.
• The vacu-flush light will turn red while it prepares for the next use.

If there is a large volume of solid waste, flush it prior to depositing any soiled toilet paper and trying to flush it simultaneously.

Galley Operations: Please remember that boats move around, and flat surfaces are not always level. When using open containers or utensils (especially knives) please remember to place these on non-slip surfaces, or ideally, in contained areas (e.g. sink).  Please do not operate the cooktop or microwave without the knowledge of the crew.

All doors, hatches, cabinet doors, drawers and the like (including refrigerator doors) are secured with latches that must be unlocked prior to opening.  If it won’t go,don’t force it.

Vessel Safety

Fire Extinguishers: There are several fire extinguishers on board and the crew will indicate where these are, but generally there is one in each of the sleeping quarters, the galley (under the sink) and under the helm seat. The engine room is equipped with an automatic system that can also be operated manually by pulling a switch at knee level to the right of the helm. Other safety equipment, including a first aid kit, is also on board in case of an emergency.

VHF Radio Operation: Only the crew may use the radio. Guests will be shown how to use the radio in the event of an emergency (current VHF radio is hand-held; the VHF radio installed in the helm is non-functional).  Emergency communications are on Channel 16.

All vessels are obligated by law to respond to distress calls from other vessels. It is unlikely, but possible, that we may be obliged to assist another vessel. 

Law Enforcement: Texas Parks & Wildlife officers are active on Lake Texoma. It is not uncommon to be “stopped” to ensure we are in compliance with all laws (minimum safety equipment, DUI, etc). Please let the crew manage any such encounter.

Guest’s Health & Wellness

Marine environments are inherently hazardous, even at dock.  Someone could easily fall, hit their head, go overboard and drown. Our dock is a floating dock and while generally stable, is subject to sudden movement from wake of passing boats or wind/wave action. Please use caution and be mindful of wave action at all times while on the dock and while on board. The finger piers (narrower ones allowing access to sides of the boats) move more than the main pier; particularly the finger piers opposite Aurelia Dawn – a crew member nearly fell off recently while taking a photo in moderate wind.

In the event that someone gets injured or becomes ill while away from dock, be aware that depending on our location at the time, it could take 30 minutes or more to reach a dock where EMS can meet us.  If this occurs, the crew will identify the nearest marina or safe place to put in and arrange to meet EMS. It is possible this could be in Oklahoma/north shore. Aurelia Dawn carries a basic first aid kit, located in the guest head in the overhead cabinet above the sink. We do not have sophisticated equipment such as an AED.

If you have any medical conditions that could be impacted by being aboard a marine vessel, please let the crew know. If you have medications, please make sure to have these in a water proof bag (e.g. ziplock bag).

Sea sickness could occur, even if we do not leave the dock. If you have a history of sea sickness, please consider use of or at least bringing along the appropriate motion sickness solution. Some seasickness options are available on board. The effects may be minimized for some by moving below into the salon; for others it may be better to be on deck. Read the article on motion sickness for more information.

Finally, please note, that if a rule isn’t shown above, it doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. Remember that if the crew asks you to do something, it requires compliance and is not open for discussion.