Final answer:
To operate a boat safely in narrow channels, remove debris from the boat, drain and rinse wells and coolers, and rinse all gear. Heed 'no diving' signs, be aware of shoreline protections against waves, paddle close to shore upstream, and stay middle downstream. Watch out for invasive species like Asian carp in certain rivers and canals.
Step-by-step explanation:
Safe Boating Practices
When operating your boat in or near a narrow channel, it's crucial to practice safety precautions to protect Maryland waters. Firstly, before launching into Maryland waters, you should remove all visible plants, animals, mud, and debris from your boat hull, propeller, anchor, and trailer. This helps prevent the spread of invasive species. Secondly, it's important to drain and rinse all live wells, bilge areas, and coolers to eliminate any potential contaminants. Thirdly, rinsing all fishing equipment, boats, trailers, and SCUBA gear with a hard spray from a garden hose will remove microscopic organisms that may have latched on.
Additional precautions include heeding 'no diving' signs to prevent injuries, considering coastline orientations that protect from waves, paddling near the shore when canoeing upstream for less resistance, and staying near the middle when going downstream to utilize the flow of the river. One should also be aware of risks such as being struck by invasive species like the Asian carp, which have populated canal systems in areas like Illinois and Missouri.