Follow these guidelines to stay safe on your sailboat. It’s impossible to know what you may face while sailing, but you can prepare yourself with these safety measures so that you can more easily handle any kind of situation that you may face.
PFD – Personal Floating Devices
A PFD keeps yo
u afloat in the water. It’s a necessity to wear while on your boat. It can be a life jacket or a paddling/kayak PFD. Make sure that the PFD is comfortable to wear. If not comfortable or if it doesn’t fit right, it can even turn you upside down when you try to float. Make sure every person sailing wears one before you depart. It’s helpful if the life jackets are brightly colored so that you can be spotted easily.
File Float Plans
Inform someone about your plans before you start sailing. Let them know when you start sailing and when you have reached your destination. Coordinator beforehand how long they should wait for you to return before informing the Coast Guard.
On Boat
Stow all the loose and heavy baggage and devices evenly because the open water waves may induce shock loading. Always carry sufficient spare warm waterproof clothing and some food and non-alcoholic drinks. It is crucial when on the water that you can be easily seen and heard. Lug a waterproof VHF radio, a torch, whistle, hand light and a horn. Other essentials include a bucket, an anchor with at least a 2m chain, a magnetic compass, and a first aid kit. Last but not least, always operate the boat at a safe speed.
Off Boat
Before sailing, make sure your boat’s buoyancy meets requirements. Take swimming classes and boating courses. Basic courses will be enough because you will have life jackets to assist you. Hire an assistant skipper who is familiar with every part of boat handling and safety. Carry at least two fenders for docking and towing in case of emergencies.