Safety on a sailboat involves a wide range of activities and the use of important safety gear and equipment.
Be sure you and your crew wear a PFD at appropriate times, since falling off the boat is the leading cause of boating fatalities.
Using a safety harness tether in rough weather and when sailing solo helps ensure you stay on the boat no matter what. Using jacklines gives you an effective way to stay clipped on to the boat with your tether.
Having guests aboard your boat can present special risks, especially if they are unfamiliar with the boat and sailing and would not know what to do if an emergency occurs. Follow these essential tips to teach guests and crew what to do in emergency situations and how to stay safe while enjoying their time on the water.
Good sailors seek safe harbor when severe weather threatens. Be sure to use available resources to know what the weather is like out there before you head out as well as what’s coming once you are underway.
Safety can also involve good navigation skills to avoid dangerous areas. Using a chartplotter is an easy way to know precisely where you are and where you’re headed at all times so that you can avoid these dangers.
The better your boating skills overall, the safer you will be while sailing. While not on the water, reading a good book on seamanship is an excellent way to improve your knowledge and skills.
