Boat Safety ( a rough guide)
The RNLI have asked us to write a rough guide to boat safety and hence we hope this will be of some help. Please note that this is only designed to point you in the right direction and is not a substitute for getting help from the RNLI and/ or the RYA and their contact detail can be found at the bottom of this page.
Lifejackets
We have written a whole page on this topic and it can be found by clicking here or navigate down the menu in are “how to guides” section
Important Notice
Lifejackets need to be regularly tested for leaks and the condition of the canister that inflates it. The best people to do this are the RNLI and they do not charge for this service. Please remember that the RNLI do many events i.e. the Scottish Boat show at Inverkip marina, The boat jumble, the fishing megastore open weekends along with many other events across the UK so please call the RNLI to see where they will be and take your lifejacket along.
Auxiliary Outboards
When out in the sea in coastal waters it is vital to not only have an auxiliary outboard but also to test it before your leave i.e. just quickly check it runs ok.
Most people also don’t need more than 6hp ( the biggest HP of the single cylinder engines) as these engines at worst are designed to hold your position and at best get you to the nearest safe land, however please do call us so that we can size your back up engine properly on 01475 744555
Fire Safety
All boats should have fire protection equipment and basic fire blankets can be picked up for less than £20.00. Please remember that extinguishers need checking and replacing so if you have these on your boat it is worth doing an annual check at the start of the season to see if they need to be replaced.
Batteries
Most boats need batteries for starting the engine and navigation equipment i.e. VHF radio, fish finders, navigation lights etc. If possible use a separate battery for lights, cabin and navigation equipment and hence if this battery fails for any reason your other battery can still start the engine. If this is not possible then think about taking a spare. Tip. For smaller boats (less than 22 feet) taking a spare battery means you can also use it to help with weight distribution / balancing the boat
Throw ropes
A simple throw rope can help save someone’s life that has been unlucky enough to fall overboard and are cheap to buy and very easy to use. Remember that the rope should be somewhere that everyone can have quick access to and not hidden in a cupboard.
PLB’s
A PLB, is a personal location beacon and these help rescuer’s get to you quickly. Prices since the year 2000 have dropped by a missive amount and now have become very affordable. What is even better is that PLB’s work on land and on water so they can be used for a wide range of activities. For more information on PLB’s click here
Training
With the law as we stand there is no mandatory test for people wanting to buy a boat for pleasure use regardless of how big and fast it will go. This means that there are many inexperienced people on the water and don’t know basic rules i.e. which side to pass you. For this and many other reasons it is well worth getting some basic skills ie power boating ( this is a great fun course) , day skippers etc. The best people to advise on this are the RYA and hence please contact them on 023 8060 4100 or visit their website at http://www.rya.org.uk/
Communication Equipment
Obviously communication equipment will depend on where you plan to use our boat so please speak to the experts at the RNLI on 0845 122 6999.
Note: Unless you only use your boat in inland water then a mobile is not good enough as though you might have great reception where you plan to be. That does not mean you will have reception where you end up.
What to wear
We added this section to remind people that a spare set of cloths is vital to stop you from getting very very cold as there is nothing worse than getting wet and having no way of getting warm. Dry bags are cheap and will keep you spare set of cloths dry so well worth the small investment and a quick search on ebay will give you a wide range of options.
Navigation
Again this is a big topic but in simple terms we strongly recommend a system that will :-
A: Show you how to retrace you trip so that you avoid any dangers by going back the same way you went out.
B: Has good charts for the area and surrounding areas you are boating in.
C: That it is easy to use on a boat that is in a choppy sea
Other things to consider include, weather alerts/ integration, linking your communication equipment etc.
Before you leave the dock
When going out on a boat we all know that there is a lot less help if we get into trouble so we strongly recommend doing a quick check over the boat and equipment before leaving. The list below is not comprehensive and is more a rough guide so if you are unsure please contact the RNLI
Spare fuel including a contingency amount which we recommend is at least a 3rd extra.
- Check axillary engine starts
- Turn on and check navigation and communication equipment.
- Look at the latest weather forecasts
- Test bilge pump
- Make sure all equipment is secure
- Explain to passengers the boats safety equipment and what to do in an emergency.
- Check any other equipment vital to the boats running i.e. rigging for sailing boats etc.
- Inform someone i.e. the marina, a friend on where you are going and approximate time when you will be back.
Kill Cords
Kill cords are an essential safety item and should be used at all times when the boat is under power. If, in the unlikely event the boat coxswain falls or is thrown overboard the power to the engine is cut. The effects of this can be to fold. There will be no physical harm caused by the propeller to any persons in the water. It also stops the boat within reach of the person falling overboard allowing an escape route from the water especially if the boat is fitted with a swim ladder. Failure to use the kill cord can have catastrophic effects and in early 2014 several people died due to not using them.
Useful links
RNLI: These are by far the best people to discuss your safety with and they are always delighted to help as prevention is far better than a rescue
RYA: Again these people are also worth a call and they will give the best advice on training.
Summary
Please remember we have not covered every topic on boat safety so please contact the RNLI for more information. If you feel we have missed anything also please contact us and we will add it to this page.