A vacation on the
water can quickly turn from a carefree moment into a dangerous situation.
Disregarded safety rules in combination with risky behavior is a mixture that
can lead to a tragedy, so it is always worth remembering the basic rules. In
this article, we describe the most important recommendations and describe the
equipment that should be on each vessel.
Safety on the
yacht - basic rules
The basic, but
unfortunately not always observed, rule of safety on the yacht is the presence
of at least one person with the necessary qualifications and knowledge. There
are financial penalties for sailing without a license, not to mention the
dangers of inexperience. Another rule, unfortunately notoriously broken, is the
absolute ban on drinking alcohol on board. Sunny weather and a gentle breeze
sometimes encourage high-alcohol drinks, but it is necessary to wait with them
until they arrive at the port - we guarantee that their taste does not change
depending on the place of consumption.
Moving on a
rocking yacht is not easy, especially for inexperienced people. Trips may
result in painful bruises or even joint injuries, so avoid running, and when
moving, it is worth following the principle of "one hand for yourself, the
other for the ship". This means that you should always stick to a fixed
piece of tooling. For stability reasons, it is also best to wear comfortable
flat shoes instead of high heels or flip-flops.
Checking the yacht
before departure - what should you pay attention to?
The first steps to
guarantee safety on the yacht should take place in the port. First of all, you
should check the condition of the rigging of the selected vessel and what other
essential equipment, plating, and sails look like. The appropriate number of
life jackets is also extremely important - there should be one more of them
than the participants of the cruise. Before setting out, all people must learn
the safety rules and wear appropriate vests.
Life jackets - are
they really necessary?
Even if a person
knows how to swim, it is not known how he will behave in a crisis of falling
overboard. In addition to the panic itself or the unforeseen reaction of the
body such as heat shock or contraction, there can also be dangerous vortices.
For this reason, everyone should always wear a fastened life jacket with reflective
tape.
Those who can swim
well can afford a belay model. It only provides additional support in the event
of being in the water, it is also less weight and stiff. Life jackets are designed
to keep the survivor afloat and will work well for those who cannot swim.
Lifebuoy to help
possible survivors
Falling overboard
is not that rare. It happens not only during storms but also as a result of a
slippery deck, tripping, or hitting a boom. Nothing calms you down in sudden
contact with water like a lifebuoy thrown to help. Despite its name, it
sometimes takes the shape of a horseshoe and is designed to keep the survivor
afloat. Usually painted in red and white stripes, it is easily visible in any
weather.
A life raft for
extreme situations
In most cases, it
probably won't be useful, which doesn't mean you should give it up. The life
raft is useful when you need to suddenly leave the yacht in the middle of the
lake. Interestingly, there are separate models for use at sea and inland
waters. The latter are usually slightly smaller. A good life raft should have
three air chambers (so if one is punctured, the other two will stay afloat),
preferably eight sides, and systems such as collecting rainwater.
Taking care of the
safety on the yacht is not such a difficult task, and it can pay off in the
least foreseen moment. Water is an unpredictable element, so it is worth being
prepared for literally every eventuality.
