Safety on BoardDave Buss is the Yacht Club's Safety Officer and looks after safety in general. However, the Skipper on each trip has full responsibility for the safety of the boat and its crew and must be obeyed whilst afloat. The whole crew shares boat responsibilities, sailing and day-to-day maintenance. Novices are encouraged to join in any activity and need not feel they are in the way - everyone can help and it's the best way to learn. The Yacht Club has a policy for the use of life jackets that is shown below. You will usually be told when conditions dictate the use of life jackets, and when to use a safety line (strop). However, anyone may wear a lifejacket at any time. Please be aware that life jackets on each boat are activated in different ways: Ariel's life jackets will inflate automatically when immersed in water (or they can be manually inflated if required). As Prospero is used for racing, where there is a higher risk of accidental automatic activation, her life jackets are manually activated and must be inflated by the wearer if they fall into the water. |
Club’s policy on life jacket use
LIfejackets must be worn at all times when underway and on deck unless the skipper decides they do not have to be worn.
In addition, crew should note:
- Crew lifejackets must be attached by strop to a strong point or jackstay (rope running down the sides of the deck) when out of the saloon when sailing in rough conditions (as determined by the skipper).
- Lifejackets must always be worn when visibility is poor (e.g. in fog or mist) but the user must not be attached to the boat under these circumstances.
- Lifejackets must always be used when sailing at night, when strops must be used at all times.
- Lifejackets must be used when in the dinghy or life raft.
Note: The club boats do not keep life jackets on board for children. If children are joining a trip, the skipper will arrange for the parents to organise or supply life jackets for their children.
Both boats are fully equipped with emergency equipment such as life rafts, first aid boxes, flares and emergency communications kit. The club also has procedures for dealing with common emergency situations, like man-overboard recovery.
Emergency situations are very few and far between on the boats. However, there are two situations that will require all the crew to act promptly - novices included - so it's worth knowing the basics of what is expected:
Fire
Both boats use bottled gas and it is more dangerous on a boat than elsewhere. It must not be allowed to leak and there are strict rules which must be observed: turn off the gas valve after using the cooker. Any fire, however small, is a potential disaster and must be dealt with quickly. The skipper will give you a full safety briefing before setting off that will cover dealing with gas and fire safety.
Crew Overboard
Skippers are required to explain the crew overboard (MOB) drill at the start of every cruise. Everyone must learn this and remember at least the first essentials. If you see someone go overboard then immediately shout 'Man Overboard' and without waiting for an order - throw them a lifebuoy.