Safety

Lifejacket & harness

Wear buoyancy, clip on to the boat.

Automatic lifejackets inflate on contact with water and turn an unconscious person onto their back; inherently buoyant jackets float permanently. In rough seas, at night and alone on deck the rule is: jacket on, and clipped on with harness and tether to the jackstay or a strong point — ideally short enough that you never go over the side at all. Check the servicing (cylinder, firing head) regularly.

See alsoMan-overboard manoeuvre · Preparing for heavy weather

Distress signals & mayday

How to make an emergency seen and heard.

Ways of raising the alarm include:

• Radio: DSC distress alert on VHF channel 70, followed by a spoken “Mayday” call on channel 16 with position and nature of distress.
• Pyrotechnics: red parachute rockets, red hand flares, orange smoke signals (by day).
• Other signals: slowly raising and lowering outstretched arms, sound signals, distress flag.

Pyrotechnics are dangerous and have an expiry date — check what you carry and how long it lasts.

See alsoLiferaft · Sound signals

Liferaft

The last resort — and only if the boat really is sinking.

You only take to the liferaft when the boat is certainly sinking — the rule of thumb is to “step up into the raft”, i.e. use the boat as the better platform for as long as possible. Take the grab bag, water and signalling gear with you before boarding. The raft needs regular servicing; make the painter fast to the boat before throwing it over the side.

See alsoDistress signals & mayday · Lifejacket & harness

Fire on board

Smother the fire quickly — and shut off its source.

Fire on board is extremely dangerous: confined spaces, diesel or petrol, and gas. The principle: shut off the source of energy (gas, fuel, electricity), extinguish, protect the crew. Keep extinguishers (powder or foam) within reach in several places, and a fire blanket in the galley for pan fires.

In an engine-room fire keep the hatch closed as far as possible and discharge through the fire port — fresh air only feeds the flames. Check the gas installation regularly and turn the bottle off after use.

See alsoLiferaft · Distress signals & mayday

Hypothermia

Recognising it and rewarming gently.

Cold water takes heat out of the body fast. The first signs are violent shivering and clumsy movement, later apathy, confusion and a easing of the shivering — which is a dangerous warning sign. Wet clothing draws off further heat.

What to do: get them out of the wind and wet, change wet clothing for dry clothes and blankets, rewarm slowly and gently, warm sweet drinks only for a patient who is awake and able to swallow — no alcohol and no sudden movements. In severe hypothermia, send a distress call.

See alsoLifejacket & harness · Man-overboard manoeuvre · Seasickness

Seasickness

Prevention beats treatment.

Seasickness comes from conflicting signals between the inner ear and the eye. Prevention: take medication in good time before departure, stay on deck and fix your eyes on the horizon, get fresh air, stay amidships, do not read below, eat and drink enough, and spare a tired crew.

If it catches someone: put them on the helm — occupation and the horizon both help — keep them warm and clipped on. Seasick crew go over the side easily and become apathetic. Make sure they drink enough against dehydration.

See alsoHypothermia · Preparing for heavy weather