Blue sea and sky, with the wording: Reduce the risk, refresh your skills.

Enjoy the sea trouble free

BOOST YOUR SKILLS find training courses to strengthen your skills

BRIEF YOUR CREW Check our crew briefing card for the essential points to cover

PLAN AHEAD Make sure you and your crew know what to do in an emergency

Reduce the risk, boost your skills checklists.

Download our essential checklists

As a boater, you’ll know how quickly things can go wrong at sea. That’s why it’s so important to stay prepared. Download or order our essential checklists and get expert advice for your best shot at smooth trouble-free boating.

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Your pre-season sailing checklist:

Boost your skills and complete any training you might need. You can find courses at the RYA.org.uk and sailing.ie
Check and service your boat and equipment (for example, hull, engine, rigging and steering).
Check and service your safety equipment (for example: lifejackets, liferafts and flares).
Check and service your engine (including fuel and filters).

Before you go afloat

Check the weather forecast and tide times.
Plan your passage, and tell someone ashore where you're going and how long you'll be gone.
Check your lifejackets and make sure they're fitted correctly.
Check onboard equipment and safety equipment.
Check your engine, fluid levels and bilge.
Check the kill cord is working if fitted.
Check your engine for cooling water through the exhaust or tell tale.
Let your engine warm up.
Check the forward and reverse gears.
Make sure your crew are wearing appropriate clothing for the conditions and the forecast.
Brief your crew and include safety considerations (see crew briefing card).

Crew briefing card

Discuss the passage plan and expected weather.
Check whether your crew have any medical conditions or welfare concerns.
Make sure your crew are wearing appropriate clothing for the conditions and the forecast.
Check lifejackets are fitted correctly.
Share the location of emergency equipment (such as the liferaft, flares and fire extinguishers).
Discuss man overboard procedures and how to call for help.
Identify a second in command and ensure they know how to call for help and operate the engine.

While you're underway

Wear your lifejacket.
Always keep a lookout.
Make sure your speed is appropriate for the weather conditions and environment you're in.
Check the gauges and fuel levels regularly.
Monitor VHF channel 16 and local channels/the harbour master channel.
Regularly check in with your crew.
Check for lines over the side.
Always operate at a safe speed.
Monitor the weather conditions and pay attention to the forecast and visibility.
Have a means of calling for help, like a handheld VHF or mobile phone in a waterproof pouch.

Man overboard

Throw a flotation aid.
Point to the person in the water while maintaining visual contact with them.
Mark the position using the MOB button on the chart plotter.
Send a distress message using the DSC distress alert and voice message.
Recover the person from the water.

If the skipper is incapacitated

Nominated second in command to take control.
Call for help.

Emergency VHF radio calling procedure

Switch to high power. Go to channel 16.
Activate DSC alert if fitted.
Press and hold transmit button and say:

MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY

THIS IS...

[Your name 3 times]

MAYDAY,

[Your name]

MY POSITION IS...

[Describe position and give GPS location if possible]

WE ARE...

[Describe the nature of the distress, the assistance required, number of people and craft followed by any further information]

SAY 'OVER' and wait for a response.

Before you go afloat

Crew briefing card

NEED A REFRESHER?

Our partners at the RYA and Irish Sailing offer training courses to help you refresh and strengthen your sailing skills. From skippering challenging passages to learning about marine engine maintenance and sea safety, you can find a course to suit you.