Boat Safety And Marine Insurance Risks
No matter what size your boat or watercraft – even before you think about raising the anchor, hoisting a sail or casting-off, you must ensure you have everything you need for safe cruising and sailing for yourself and your crew, in your boat.
Here’s a list of 10 boating safety tips that may save your life and reduce damage to your vessel on even the shortest boating excursion.
1. Life Jackets or Personal Buoyancy Equipment – Inflatable lifejackets and are designed to support your head in the water. However, lifejackets can be cumbersome, and for this reason many sailors prefer to wear buoyancy aids.
2. Waterproof and Warm Marine Leisure Wear and Clothing – keep in mind the weather conditions for your trips when considering what to wear, and what you will be doing onboard. For example if you expect your boat to capsize a lot, wear a dry or wet suit instead of sailing clothes.
3. Life Rafts and Inflatables – An inflatable life raft should be included in your boat safety equipment in case you need to abandon ship. Included with this should be basic survival equipment, a lighter, emergency food, distress flares,and a good supply of fresh water.
4. Sun Protection & Glasses – Sunglasses are essential equipment to enable you to protect your eyes. Sun cream is essential if the weather is hot, and it’s important to note that sunburn can occur just as easily if there is a stiff wind – it may make you feel cooler, but the sun’s rays will still penetrate. As well as protecting your skin, sunglasses should be worn to protect your eyes from harmful UV light
5. First Aid Kit – When cruising in your boat over long distances, it’s recommended that you or one of your crew-members has experience and competence in administering first aid. More often than not, most injuries sustained whilst sailing will consist of a few bumps to the head and a little sunburn, but if anything more serious should happen, then it’s useful to have the necessary first aid skills onboard amongst the boat’s crew before calling for assistance.
6. Fire Drill – One of the most important things any boat safety guide should tell you is to prepare for the unfortunate outbreak of a fire. In the event of a fire breaking out onboard, it’s more than likely to have been caused by a cooking accident, a gas or fuel supply failure, or an electrical fault. Gas or fuel problems are potentially the most dangerous because they can easily cause explosions, so it’s imperative to maintain fuel sources in good condition. It’s also essential to carry and maintain the correct types of fire extinguisher onboard. Different extinguishers are required for different causes and types of fire. Dry Powderfire extinguishers can be used on any sort of fire, which is useful if you do not know what the source is. Foam fire extinguishers are also very effective, however must not be used on electrical fires, as there as a risk of electric shock and potentially death.
7. Fire Extinguishers – Carbon Dioxide fire extinguishers are effective at putting out engine and electrical fires. In the event of a fire breaking out, you should remain calm at all times. Act quickly to put the fire out using the appropriate extinguisher if it is safe to do so, and direct your crew in such away as not to put them in additional danger. If the fire cannot be controlled, then you boat must be considered a potentially lethal hazard. You should attempt to abandon ship as quickly and as safely as possible, as well as alerting other vessels nearby of the hazard. If the fire is successfully doused, then it is likely that the boat will have sustained serious damage, and you should bear immediately to the nearest port or shore.
8. Hull Damage – Water leaks on a boat usually occur due to some form of collision, either due to the hull hitting hidden rocks, ice or coral in shallow water. Sometimes it may even be due to a collision with another boat. Leaks can also occur slowly over a period of time from wear and tear on the boat’s hull, although, if you maintain your craft properly, this shouldn’t be a regular occurrence. If you are unlucky enough to experience a leak, you should try to remain calm and follow these instructions. Turn on any electric pumps and get your boat crew to help bailing water out of the boat.
Try to block the hole whilst this is being undertaken, using whatever you have to hand. This may become more difficult if the hole is deeper in the hull, due to the increased water pressure. Soft items, such as bunk cushions, are effective because they can be forced into the hole and then braced in position. Head for shore or a safe port as soon as youve plugged the hole, whilst getting the crew to keep up the bailing of excess water out of the boat. Should you fail to successfully plug the leak, then you must prepare to abandon ship.
9. Abandoning Your Boat – This should be an action taken only in the most extreme of circumstances. You are not only much safer on your boat, but also much more likely to be found by rescuers. If you are however forced to take this action, then heed by these rules. Stay on or as near to your boat for as long as possible. Send out a distress call, including your location, before you leave your boat. If you are sailing inshore try your mobile or cell phone to contact the Coastguard. Ensure everybody is wearing a lifejacket! Take as many essential extras as you can onto your life raft including food and flares. Once you’re on the life raft, don’t leave it unless you absolutely have to.
10. Boat Insurance – If the worst comes to the worst and you lose your boat or suffer personal injury, the damage can be avoided and corrected if you take out adequate Marine Insurance before you go sailing. You can also take out additional personal accident cover for amateur and professional sailors, which offers further protection of your boating lifestyle.
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