The peaceful and tranquil atmosphere of a marina can be fascinating. The natural beauty, the warmth of the sunlight, and the vibrant sounds of the water can relax your mind. However, if you don’t follow the safety tips, your boating experience can become risky and stressful. Just as you follow certain driving rules on the road, you have to follow some safety precautions on the marina. Here are the top marina safety tips to follow before heading out into the sea.
1. Your Life Jacket is Your Seat Belt on Water
Experts say that, without a seat belt, the risk of death and being thrown out of the car, in case of an accident, is increased by five times. Similarly, sailing without a life jacket can put you at extreme risk. Even if you are a skilful swimmer and an experienced sailor, you are at risk of drowning when you are in danger. Hence, wearing life jackets is mandatory just as seat belts are mandatory. Ensure everyone aboard is wearing the right size of life jacket.
2. Have All Personal Floatation Devices (PFD) on Board
If your boat is 16 feet in length or more, it should be equipped with
- Type I PFDs or offshore life jackets are used in remote and rough waters
- Type II PFDs or floatation aids are suitable for calm waters and near-shore usage. They are used for unconscious wearers
- Type III PFDs are similar to Type II but are used by conscious wearers and are suitable for canoeing and kayaking
- Type IV PFDs are thrown to a person in the water
- Type V PFDs are for special purposes. The examples are deck suits, inflatable vests, work vests, and sailing vests.
3. Check the Weather Conditions
Checking the weather is important, as you can safely avoid bad weather conditions like strong winds, thunderstorms, rough seas, fog, etc. Thunderstorms can make the sea rougher, and strong winds can capsize boats. Fog reduces visibility and increases the risk of accidents. So, checking the weather forecast can prevent accidents and ensure the safety of the vessel and the passengers.
4. Have a Well-Stocked eEmergency Kit
Your emergency kit should have a fire extinguisher, first-aid kit, emergency signalling equipment, flashlight, and floatation devices. A fire extinguisher is essential for putting off unexpected fires onboard. Emergency signalling equipment, like whistles, horns, and radios, is useful when you require rescue services. A first-aid kit with gauze, bandages, antiseptics, scissors, ice packs, and all other things essential for treating minor injuries is a key requirement.
5. Avoid Consuming Alcohol
Sailing can cause motion sickness and fatigue. This will be intensified under the effects of alcohol. It increases the risk of impairment of judgement, lack of coordination, and delayed reactions, leading to collisions and drownings. Moreover, consuming alcohol dilates the blood vessels, resulting in heat loss. If a person falls into water by accident, the chances of hypothermia are high because of reduced body heat. Dulled senses and decreased reasoning can make the crew misbehave. They may also mishandle the equipment. Hence, stay sober if you want you and your crew to be safe.
6. Avoid Using Your Mobiles Frequently
Mobile usage and inattentiveness are correlated. It is a scientifically proven fact. Checking social media messages and notifications frequently affects focus and attention. Avoid texting and talking on mobiles while sailing and docking. Putting them out of your reach is the best option if you can’t avoid the temptation of checking your mobile every few minutes.
7. Know the Marina Emergency Procedures
The emergency procedures address unexpected dangers like fire, crashing, man overboard, and sinking. You should know them to save your crew and the vessel and to prevent panic. When you are familiar with the procedures, the response time is quick, which increases the chances of survival.
8. Respect the Marina Rules
The marina rules are laid out to prevent accidents and protect lives. Numerous risks are involved in the marina environment, like slips, falls, electric shocks, damage to properties, and damage to the vessels. You should follow them if you want to avoid injuries. For example, you should use marine-approved electric equipment and cords to avoid electric shocks.
9. Have the Tool Kit and Spare Parts Ready
A tool kit with all that you need for engine repair and maintenance can be helpful in dangerous situations like engine failure. Spare plumbing parts are essential, as hoses and pumps with leaks can cause a serious risk. Tools for servicing and repairing life-saving devices are important because lives can be lost if they don’t function properly. Simple issues that are not fixed can escalate into highly dangerous situations.
10. Inspect Mooring Lines Regularly
Failure, abrasion, wear and tear, or breakage of mooring lines can cause severe conditions like snapback. Checking them regularly is important for the safety of the vessel. You should also ensure the lines are of the right length. Too long and too short lines can cause more risks of damage.
11. Understand Marina Signage and Rules
Marinas have signs warning of hazards, such as electrical hazards, slippery surfaces, low areas, restricted areas, and no-wake signs etc. Not understanding and avoiding them can lead to fatal accidents. Moreover, you can be fined and penalized if you don’t comply with the marina rules.
12. Practice Safe Boarding
Safe boarding practices prevent accidents, damage, and injuries. So, follow the boarding protocols strictly. Safe boarding procedures to be followed are ensuring boats are tied securely, wearing the right footwear, stepping into the center while boarding, transferring weight slowly, ensuring the boat doesn’t move, keeping walkaways clear, and avoiding alcohol.
13. Follow Speed limits
If you want to reduce the risk of collisions, multi-vessel crashes, and other dangers, you should know and follow the speed limits. Moreover, it is important to protect swimmers and divers. Going beyond the speed limits is dangerous to them. Adhere to the speed rules to avoid injuries and fines.
A safe marina experience can create happy memories. Hence, follow the safety tips and enjoy your time on the water.
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