ARTICLE PARRAINÉ
A new campaign by HM Coastguard (part of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency), the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) is encouraging new and experienced boaters to
‘Reduce the risk, boost your skills’ ahead of the boating season.
The campaign offers handy tips and guidance to help people get themselves and their vessel season-ready. Pre-season checks, onboard equipment and crew all feature in the campaign’s safety checklists, which are provided free of charge across the UK – including a version available in Welsh.
The laminated booklet includes simple advice, such as discussing passage plans and man overboard procedures, checking equipment and engine, identifying a second-in-command, and ensuring an effective means of calling for help is kept onboard.
Get your free safety checklist here: https://hmcoastguard.uk/recreational-boating-safety
Tom Barnett, Network Commander for HM Coastguard, said: “As a boater myself, I recognise the importance of effective preparation and planning – it’s absolutely part of how boaters best equip themselves and others for a safe and enjoyable day out on the water”.
Watch the video HERE
Top Equipment tips
Personal flotation devices
A Personal Flotation Device (PFD), can save your life.
Try before you buy. Consider whether a manual or automatic lifejacket suits your activity. Ensure lifejackets are serviced annually.
Take steps to avoid becoming separated from the boat; tethering yourself to the vessel can prevent a MOB emergency. It's important to practice how to get back into the boat if you find yourself overboard.
Register your Distress Beacon
Consider a 406 MHz beacon. Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs) are registered to an individual, Emergency Positioning Radio Indicating Beacon (EPIRBs) are registered to a vessel.
When activated, UK-coded 406 MHz beacons transmit a distress signal via satellite with the beacon’s Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) position to HM Coastguard.
Importantly, 406MHz beacons need to be registered with the UK Beacon Registry. Registration provides rescuers with vital information. Registration details need to be kept up to date. If a beacon is sold or passed on, it must be re‑registered to the new owner, so information is current.
Personal AIS MOB
A personal AIS Man Overboard (MOB) beacon will alert vessels within a 2 – 4 mile range.
While a 406MHz PLB will alert the Coastguard of your location, an AIS MOB helps your vessel’s crew and nearby craft pinpoint your location. There are now products that combine both 406MHz and AIS into one single device.
MOB alert and recovery
If someone ends up in the water it can be hard to see them; LED strobe lights, sea dye, horseshoe buoys, and danbuoys are all designed to help.
Guidance about recovery equipment is in Marine Guidance Note (MGN) 544, sections 5 and 6.
Other considerations
Carrying a suitable flare on board remains an important safety measure, helping to improve visibility and alert others in an emergency.
Boost your skills
Get your free safety checklist here: https://hmcoastguard.uk/recreational-boating-safety
The RYA runs multiple skills courses. Knowledge brings confidence so you can focus on enjoying the season ahead.