Yachting Safety Briefing
Down below
Lifejackets and harnesses – fitting, when to wear, clipping on
Gas – risks, precautions, gas bottles and taps
Fire prevention – extinguishers, fire blanket, where and how to use
Moving around – companionway, handholds, galley safety
Heads – how to use
Seacocks – location of
Hatches – opening and closing, risks
VHF – how to use
Engine – basic operation
Batteries – location
On deck
Hazards – boom, tripping, slipping, hatches
Clipping on – jackstays
Heaving line
Engine controls
Instruments
Lockers – contents
Winches and clutches – safe operation
Anchor – safe operation
Emergency at sea
First aid – kit location
MOB – equipment – throwing line, horseshoe buoy, Dan buoy
Flares – where, when and how to use
VHF – emergency procedure
EPIRB – how to activate
Liferaft – where, when and how to launch
Grab bag – where, contents
Steering failure – emergency tiller, where and how
Flooding – seacock failure, plugs. Bilge pumps. Bailing.
Crew welfare
Seasickness – what to do, how to avoid
Food and drink – use of galley
Kit – stowage
“One hand for you – the other for the boat!”
This post is an extract from the Safe Skipper App for iPhone & Android.
Essential Knots: Clove hitch
Jester Challenge 2022 – Sailing single handed from Plymouth UK to the Azores: Part 5 – Boat Management
Jester Challenge – A modern experiment in old-fashioned self-reliance, self sufficiency, and personal responsibility. This is the fifth of a 10-part post where solo sailor, Bernie Branfield, shares his first hand account of his single-handed, 2022 Jester Challenge, from Plymouth, UK to the Azores, in his 26′ Invicta Mk2, Louisa.
Points of Sailing
Rewiring a boat – overcoming the challenges involved
Skippers need to have a basic knowledge of boat electrics, to avoid potential problems and to be able to solve them when they happen.
Diesel engine winterisation
An inactive boat engine needs to be protected from corrosion during the winter, caused by the rising humidity levels through the cold months and the salty coastal air. This applies whether the boat is left afloat or hauled out over the winter. Read here about the two important stages of winterisaton for a diesel boat engine.
Rudders and steering systems – Part 1
Rudders and steering systems. A rudder is one of the most critical parts of a boat. Rudder failure is a common occurrence on neglected or overworked boats and a very unpleasant and potentially dangerous thing to happen when you are out at sea.
Narrowboating on the Kennet and Avon Canal
A recently cancelled sailing event I was due to take part in left us with a free weekend in the diary. Given that my wife and I were celebrating a bumper wedding anniversary and the weather forecast was for fine weather, we decided to hunt around for a last minute canal holiday.
Competent crew skills: mooring lines
The VHF DSC Radio jargon buster
How a propeller works
Have a look around any boatyard and you will notice quite a variety of propellers – some have two blades, some have three and others have four or more. While most propellers are completely rigid some have blades that fold.
Wooden Hulls – Part 2
It is important to ensure the essential hull maintenance of a wooden boat is done, even if you are paying others to look after your boat for you. The priority is to prevent rot from taking hold. The protective layers of paint and varnish over wood are far more critical than on GRP boats, where the topsides are painted more for cosmetic reasons.
A five day sailing cruise of the Solent, UK
Navigating Through Rough Waters: Tips for Handling Adverse Weather Conditions in a Sailboat
Navigating through rough waters in a sailboat requires skill, preparation, and a good understanding of both your vessel and the environment. Here are some tips for handling adverse weather conditions including Preparation, Techniques, Safety and much more..
Understanding tides
Understanding marine sealants & adhesives
Marine engine oil system maintenance
The regular maintenance of a marine diesel is key to preventing engine failure at sea. This means doing regular checks of the fuel, cooling, electrical and oil systems.
Top 5 Reasons Why an Inflatable SUP Should Be Your Next Yacht Accessory
Cleaning & polishing gelcoat topsides
The gelcoat topsides of a GRP boat can be pampered and restored to their former glory relatively easily when it is ashore. Gelcoat is only a very thin outer layer of the hull, often less than 1mm thick, so you should avoid cleaning it with highly abrasive cleaners, or an-ything that could potentially damage its surface.
Hull inspection – the annual checks
Essential Knots: Figure of eight
First Aid Afloat – fish spine injury
Winch Servicing
Distress flares – which flare, how & when to use?
ColRegs Rule 14 – Head-on Situation
Safe Skipper – crew management tips
Effective crew briefings are a vital part of the good on-board communication that helps everything to run smoothly on a sailing vessel at sea, whether it is cruising or racing.






