Yacht Health and Safety

1. 1. Take notice of the weather.
   2. Tell someone you’re going.
   3. Checklist for departure.
   4. Have a backup skipper.
   5. Make sure the boat is seaworthy.

• Use a life jacket and safety harness.
• Be prepared for emergencies.
• Assemble a safety plan.
• Fit throwable floatation devices.
• Fit fire extinguishers.
• Carry visual signalling devices.
• Carry sound signalling devices.
• Don’t take alcohol.
• Be aware of your surroundings/environment.
• Take a sailing course.
• Know how to swim.
• Consider capsizing risk.

You may need a BSS certificate if your boat carries less than 12 passengers – check the BSS guidance. You’ll need a Passenger Certificate issued by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency ( MCA ) if you’re carrying more than 12 passengers. You should also check whether you need: any statutory certificates. BOAT SAFETY SCHEME – MOT

All new boats should already comply with the safety standards and have a certificate as meeting the recreational craft directive (RCD). If your boat is: fully fitted – you need to get a boat safety certificate after four years.

1. Failing to check the marine weather forecast
2. Running aground
3. Forgetting to keep up with regular maintenance
4. Hitting the dock
5. Running out of gas
6. Forgetting to put in the drain plug
7. Overloading the boat
8. Getting lost\no maps
9. Putting out insufficient anchor line
10. Running the engine whilst dry
11. Improperly mooring the boat
12. Trailering with the engine down and/or the top up

Never go with an empty stomach, but, at the same time, do not over-fill it. Just eat a light meal. Avoid acidic and greasy meals on or before the ride, and avoid alcohol.

1. Always operate your boat at a safe and controlled speed. Be sure to follow rules of “no wake” or “slow” water zones.
2. Never operate your boat recklessly, such as under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or speeding.
3. Do not navigate close to naval vessels, and other restricted areas such as bridges and power plants.

As a boat owner, it’s not a legal requirement for you to have insurance…with some exceptions. That being said, there are certain marinas, and most inland waterways that insist on boat owners to have at least some form of boat insurance.

Victims drowned in approximately 80% of fatal boating accidents. Of those, 83% were not wearing a life jacket. Insist that your crew and guests all wear a life jacket that fits them well. This can help them stay afloat in rough waters, protect them against hypothermia, and in some cases, can keep their head above water. Remember – when onboard yacht health and safety is paramount.

• Type I PFDs are often called off-shore life jackets. They provide the most buoyancy and are effective in all waters, especially open, rough, or remote waters where rescue may be delayed. They are designed to turn most unconscious wearers to a face-up position in the water.
• Type II PFDs are near-shore buoyancy vests. They are intended for calm, inland water or waters where there is a good chance of quick rescue.
• Type III PFDs are also called floatation aids. They are good for calm, inland water, similar to Type II.
• Type IV PFDs are designed to be thrown to a person in the water and grasped and held by the user until rescued.
• Type V PFDs are special use devices. They may be carried instead of other PFDs if used in accordance with the approved conditions designated on the label. They may be inflatable vests, deck suits, work vests, board sailing vests or hybrid PFDs.

Alcohol use is a leading contributor to fatal boating accidents, causing approximately 15% of the deaths each year. Stay sharp when you’re on the water by leaving the alcohol on dry land.

A calm day can quickly turn ugly on the water. There were 41 deaths in 2016 attributed to weather conditions. Keep an eye out for changing weather conditions and stay on top of the forecast while boating.

Storm and hurricane forecasts and warnings are issued by the National Hurricane Center. Boaters can get information from VHF marine radios, commercial radios and television stations and newspapers. As a boater, you need to be aware of the types of advisories and take action before a storm hits. Warnings range from small craft advisories, with winds of 18 knots or less, up to hurricane warnings with winds of 74 miles per hour (64 knots) or greater.

Yachts should be equipped with the minimum essential navigation devices to ensure yacht health and safety of its crew and passengers. These include –

• GPS systems for precise positioning
• Radar for detecting nearby vessels and obstacles.
• Depth sounders for monitoring water depth.
  AIS (Automatic Identification System) for vessel tracking and collision avoidance.
• Reliable communication equipment such as VHF radios or satellite phones is crucial for emergency situations.

These navigation tools help mitigate risks, prevent accidents, and ensure a safe voyage out on the water.

All internal combustion engines emit carbon monoxide, a poisonous gas that can make you sick in seconds and kill in minutes. Remember, you cannot see, smell, or taste CO, so know the symptoms (similar to seasickness or alcohol intoxication).

The U.S. Coast Guard recommends that you always tell\phone\message a friend or family member where you plan to go and when you’ll be back. That way, the proper officials can be notified if you don’t return when expected.

One of the most important parts of boating safety is your common sense. This means always operating at a safe speed, especially in crowded areas. Be alert at all times, and steer clear of large vessels and watercraft that can be restricted in their ability to stop or turn. Please remember that the sea is a very unforgiving place and boat or yacht health and safety is paramount.

It states that for each degree off (or displacement) over a distance of 60 nautical miles (NM), it will result in 1 NM off course. It can be applied in various areas of interest when flying, and is easily remembered.