Preparation Archives - Page 9 of 29 - Safe Skipper Boating & Safety Afloat Apps for phones & tablets

Engine failure at sea – common causes and how to avoid them

by Simon Jollands | Boat Maintenance, Preparation, Yacht ownership

Providing they are regularly serviced and maintained, modern marine diesel engines tend to be very reliable. However, they are by no means infallible and a large percentage of lifeboat rescues are to leisure vessels with engine failure. Fortunately, a handful of...

Fractures, sprains and dislocations at sea

by Simon Jollands | Boat Handling, Crewing skills, Emergencies, Preparation

Moving about a boat at sea often results in a few knocks and bruises, but if a crew member has a fall or major bump and is in serious pain, they should be examined and treated accordingly. The risk of this happening can be reduced by keeping one hand holding the boat...

First aid at sea – four common emergencies

by Simon Jollands | Boat Handling, Crewing skills, Emergencies, Preparation

In our series of Safe Skipper blogs on first aid at sea, here are four common emergencies skippers should be prepared for at sea. Knowing how to cope with them could well save a life, while not knowing could result in an avoidable tragedy. In this blog we look at what...

Common medical emergencies at sea

by Simon Jollands | Boat Handling, Crewing skills, Emergencies, Preparation

A medical emergency aboard a boat at sea requires immediate attention to ensure the safety of the casualty and the crew in general. The skipper needs to know which crew members, if any, have had medical training or have a first aid qualification. All boats should...

First aid at sea basics

by Simon Jollands | Boat Handling, Crewing skills, Emergencies, Preparation

Reducing the risks of an accident happening at sea is a priority for every skipper of a leisure vessel, as is reducing the chance of any of the crew becoming ill. The first line of defence against a medical emergency at sea is to avoid it in the first place, which may...

How to use tides and currents to your advantage

by Simon Jollands | Boat Handling, Crewing skills, Navigation, Preparation, Yacht ownership

If you are contemplating a cruise through tidal waters and strong currents, then planning your trip carefully in advance is essential to enable you to take advantage of favourable tides rather than constantly fighting against them. Big tides demand considerable...