Safety

Make sure you get it right when buying this essential piece of kit.

1. If we are unconscious and go over the side of the boat, the automatic gas inflated jacket will require no input to inflate it. A manual gas jacket is cheaper, but it will require a sharp pull on an actuator cord to inflate the jacket. In reality, the automatic version is worth considering, especially on a sailing boat where a blow from the boom is a possibility.

2. Ensuring that the selected jacket has a fully adjustable crotch strap will stop the jacket from riding up in the water and slipping over your head. Those of us sailing may also want to consider a jacket with a harness attachment for moving around on deck safely in rough weather or during a night cruise.

3. Buy the right buoyancy of lifejacket for each crewmember. Ten Newton’s is equal to 1Kg of flotation. Usually a 150 Newton jacket is suitable for a small adult or child, although you need to ensure the jacket fits properly and is suitable for the weight of the person. Always identify individual lifejackets with a name marked in waterproof ink to avoid mistakes.

Please remember, a lifejacket is only a lifejacket if worn correctly.

For more advice about choosing and buying lifejackets click here.

Colin Jones continues the debate about safety by turning his attention to the electronic gear we may, or may not, have on board our boats.

Last month I talked about The Great Safety Debate, which began between myself and Jeremy Harrison of McMurdo over an aperitif and a long dinner. It then spread in time and protagonists. A problem with some boat show sites, for example, is that they are too far from the bright lights so, after a long day on their feet, many of the stand personnel stick around the hotel. As soon as they realised we were not arguing the state of politics and the economy, we began to collect extra folk wishing to state their ‘two pennorth’ of wisdom. They all agreed that even though it is their job, the nest best thing to ‘messing about in boats’ is talking about them.

We were still mulling over our contention that boat builders should take their share of safety precautions by including some safety measures during design and construction as they do with road vehicles. We had already discussed a number of safety aids, but next in line for our pearls of wisdom was VHF radio.

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None of us want to think about losing a member of the crew over the side, but the sad fact is it is one of the most common boating emergencies. So, here Phil Pickin gives us a quick guide to what to do if you hear those words “man overboard”.

The following is based on the RYA’s guide for man overboard (MOB) procedures and mainly covers powerboat users. However, anyone losing a crew member from a sailing yacht would need to follow broadly similar procedures, but they will need to factor in tacking and bringing the boat about to retrieve the victim.

The major consideration with a powerboat is avoiding injury to the person in the water by the prop, so if you’ve lost someone whilst moving slowly turn round straight away as this puts the prop as far away from them as possible. Turn downwind, so that when you turn back upwind the casualty will be ahead.

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The better equipped you are the more relaxed your boating will be. A good skipper prepares for the worst case scenario, whether it be a fire, a man overboard or even a sinking boat. Prevention is obviously better than cure but if an emergency does happen, the right equipment is essential to save lives.

Boat owners sometimes skimp on safety equipment as it can be expensive. But shop around. Mail order companies sometimes offer bargains, and boat jumbles can also be a good source for anchors, ropes and other basic kit.

Lifejackets

First and foremost you will need lifejackets; at least one for every person on board. Always try a lifejacket on before you buy it. And once on the water, make sure you and your crew wear one when there is an obvious danger of going overboard, such as at locks, on deck at night and in bad weather. Automatically inflating jackets are the best in terms of comfort.

• 50 Newtons: This is just a buoyancy aid, and is for good swimmers in sheltered waters or inland waterways
• 100 Newtons: For sheltered or coastal waters.
• 150 Newtons: For offshore waters with foulweather clothing. They should self-right a casualty within five seconds of immersion.
• 275 Newtons: For extreme offshore conditions, with heavy protective clothing.

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