In the leadup to this sailing season’s major offshore events, this is a timely reminder of the importance of each crew member taking responsibility for their own safety equipment and their part in creating a safe environment on board.

Some checks to do for your personal gear: 

• Make sure it is in perfect working order, you know how to use it, and you have practiced using it.
• Have your lifejacket serviced.
• Test your PLB and AIS beacons, and check aerials for corrosion.
• Check that your PLB details provided to AMSA are correct and up to date (this includes your emergency contact details) so AMSA can quickly identify and provide the name of the person whose PLB has been activated.
• Check your tether is free from wear and tear and make sure the clips are moving freely.

Important items on the boat for your consideration:

• Know the location of the jackstays and strong points for clipping on – sometimes they may be more accessible and functional inboard away from gunwales, depending on the yacht’s deck layout.
• Where are the strong points for clipping on as you come out of the companionway?
• Where is the grab bag? Where is the EPIRB?
• Take a quiet moment to look at the stowage charts and learn where all the safety gear is stowed on board.

Other important things to consider finding out and being aware of:

• What will my role be in case of abandonment?
• Remind the person in charge to hold an all-crew safety briefing.
• How does the communication link between the navigation station and the helm work in the event of an emergency?
• How does the liferaft get deployed?
• How does all the crew overboard equipment work?  
• Where’s the crew overboard alarm/button located?

These are just a few points to start the conversations on board about what, where and how the safety gear and procedures work on your boat.

Safe sailing!

By Jason Close, member of the National Safety Committee.
To register a PLB with AMSA, click here.
To read other articles about safety, click here.