First time sailing, Learning to sail, Sailing courses in the UK and Mediterranean
Safety - Always First on the List!
The most important thing to learn before any sailing trip is how to be safe on the water. Once you are happy that you know what to do if something goes wrong you can enjoy the rest of your trip with peace of mind.
Please pay very close attention to any safety brief given - it could save someone's life, including yours!. Always remember that if you become aware of anything that you feel affects the safety of the boat and it's crew do not hesitate. TELL THE INSTRUCTOR OR SKIPPER IMMEDIATELY AND THEN FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS YOU ARE GIVEN.
Fire
Prevention is much better than cure when it comes to fire on board a yacht and any commercially coded vessel will have the correct type and number of smoke and gas alarms fitted as well as an appropriate fire extinguisher fitted in each cabin with a fire blanket close to the cooker. The safety brief should include details on the different types of fires and the appropriate action to take if one is detected. You should also be made aware of the different types of extinguisher and how to check and use each type.
Gas
The subject of gas on board a yacht should include the properties of gas. How to safely use the cooker and any other gas appliances onboard. How to isolate the gas supply in the galley and at the bottle and the correct procedure for venting the boat in the event of a gas leak.
Flooding
The brief should be centred around how to quickly deal with flooding by taking action appropiate to the situation inhand. The sink being blocked and overflowing with freshwater is obviously much less serious than the boat hitting an underwater obstruction and finding that the bilges are quickly filling with sea water and each instance of flooding requires the approriate response from the instructor or skipper. The brief should include instruction on bilge alarms, automatic and manual bilge pumps, bailing devices and methods, seacocks, the use of tapered bungs, temporary repairs and procedures following the instructor or skippers decision to abandon to the liferaft.
Personal Safety
Included should be the location, fitting and operation of lifejackets and harnesses. The use of Jackstays and clip on points. The liferaft's location and deployment. The location and contents of the grab bag. The location of the first aid kit and procedures in the event of an injury or medical emergency. Identifying potential dangers on board such as the boom, winches, clutches and open hatches should also be covered along with starting and stopping the engine and emergency steering procedures.
Crew Overboard
The brief should include the safety equipment that could be used and procedures in the event of an MOB (Man Over Board) including recovery methods and practices. The actual MOB drill is practised using a fender or suitable similar object whilst sailing.
Radio
The emergency use of a DSC VHF radio and how to send a Mayday distress alert.
Flares
Location, date checks, types and applicable use, correct deployment and safe handling.
The safety brief by it's very nature tends to dwell on worst case scenarios and what to do in each. After a couple of hours of listening to what can go wrong it's worth remembering that learning to sail in UK waters is statistically a pretty safe activity.This is due to the very high standards of training provided by the RYA (Royal Yachting Association), the co-ordinated actions of national bodies such as the MCA (Maritime and Coastguard Agency) to promote safety and the fantastic support, bravery and dedication of the UK's voluntary lifeboat and national rescue services in emergency situations.
"The sea has neither meaning nor pity.."
-Anton Chekhov
First Sail is proud to endorse the work of the UK's No 1 sailing charity. Be sure to visit the UKSA site by clicking on the logo.
