Safety

Boating and watersports are some of the safest sports around. But the water is an ever-changing environment and it pays to look after your safety and anyone on the water with you.

Hiring A Boat

When searching for your boating holiday company or day hire company to take your first boating experience with, you need to be sure you will be given suitable tuition before leaving the base. The National Guide to Hire Boat Handover is national scheme which hire boat operators follow to help promote safe enjoyment of the inland waterways. The logo can be a useful tool for you to look for when selecting your chosen holiday company http://www.apco.org.uk/handover.htm 

Safety Skills Videos- NEW

If you are looking into honing your boating skills then you might want to look at these videos, courtacy of Yachting TV , BOSS Sail and Stormforce Coaching :

   
Sea survival

Warp skills

 
 How to bandage an injured hand  
 

Lifejackets

Lifejackets are one of the most necesary pieces of equipment to have when enjoying boating or watersports. The RNLI are an exceptional source of knowledge on this subject and give the following key advice:

  • You must have enough lifejackets on board. This means having lifejackets to suit all shapes and sizes including children and pets.
  • It is the skipper’s responsibility to show the crew where lifejackets are stored, how to wear and secure them and when and how to operate them.
  • The RNLI recommends that when you use your tender and your boat everyone wears a buoyancy aid or a lifejacket.

Buy a Lifejacket  Buy a Buoyancy Aid  Buy Safety Clothing and Apparel

Sea Safety - RNLI

RNLIThe RNLI is the charity responsible for saving lives at sea. They provide a 24-hour lifeboat search and rescue service around the coasts of the UK and Ireland, as well as a seasonal lifeguard service on many of the busiest beaches in England and Wales.

The RNLI has an active fleet of more than 330 lifeboats, ranging from 5m to 17m in length, and a relief fleet of about 115 boats.

Boating should be fun, but even the most experienced seafarers should prepare for the worst. Every year our lifeboats respond to thousands of incidents, many of which could have been prevented with simple safety precautions.

As a newcomer to boating and watersports, the RNLI guide to safety at sea is invaluable and should be read before getting on the water so that you are prepared in the event of an emergency. It contains different sections for all types of boating.

RNLI’s Sea Safety, The Complete Guide >

If you looking for more detailed advice on maritime rules and regulations, please visit the web site for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency >


More Advice

For safety advice in your particular sport go to the web site of the governing body for the sport:


If you have any questions, please email us info@onthewater.co.uk

Back to Boat Buying Guide homepage>


Share this page:

Buying Options

More in this Section

 

Once you have mastered the basics, why not invest in your own equipment? 
> See Full Boating Directory

 

BMF Member Logo

All the companies contained in the directories above are BMF members - why is this important?