Module 4 of 17
Safety
Rescue procedures, distress signals, personal safety equipment, and fire precautions.
Personal Safety Equipment
Lifejackets are the single most important piece of safety equipment. They come in different buoyancy ratings: 150N lifejackets are standard for coastal sailing and will turn an unconscious person face-up in the water. A 275N lifejacket is designed for offshore use with heavy clothing.
Safety harnesses attach you to the boat via a lifeline clipped to jackstays (webbing straps or wire running along the deck). The rule is simple: clip on before you need to. In rough weather, at night, or when alone on deck, always wear a harness.
Kill cords (engine cut-off lanyards) must be attached to the helmsman when motoring. If the helmsman falls overboard, the cord pulls out and stops the engine immediately, preventing the propeller from causing injury.
Key Points
- 150N lifejackets — standard for coastal sailing, turns unconscious person face-up
- 275N lifejackets — offshore use with heavy foul-weather clothing
- Safety harness — clips to jackstays; wear before conditions worsen
- Kill cord — engine cut-off lanyard attached to helmsman
Tip: Always test your lifejacket inflation mechanism before a passage. Check the gas bottle is full and the auto-inflate bobbin is in date.
Distress Communications
DSC (Digital Selective Calling) is the modern method for raising a distress alert. Press the red distress button on the VHF radio (usually under a cover). This transmits your vessel's MMSI number, position (from GPS), and the nature of distress to all vessels and coastguard stations in range.
A voice MAYDAY is broadcast on VHF Channel 16. The format is: MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY — This is [vessel name ×3] — MAYDAY [vessel name] — My position is [lat/long or bearing and distance from known point] — I have [nature of distress] — I require [assistance needed] — [number of persons on board] — Over.
An EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon) transmits a distress signal via satellite when activated. A SART (Search and Rescue Transponder) shows up on other vessels' radar screens to guide rescuers to your position.
Key Points
- DSC distress alert — red button on VHF; sends MMSI, position, and nature of distress
- MAYDAY — voice distress call on VHF Ch 16 for grave and imminent danger
- PAN PAN — urgency call (serious but not immediate danger to life)
- SECURITÉ — safety message (navigational or weather warning)
- EPIRB — satellite distress beacon
- SART — radar transponder for search and rescue
Pyrotechnics and Visual Distress Signals
Yachts should carry a selection of flares. Red parachute flares reach 300m and are visible for 40+ seconds — used to alert rescuers at long range. Red hand-held flares burn for about 60 seconds and are used to pinpoint your position at closer range.
Orange smoke signals are effective during daylight when flares are harder to see. White flares are NOT distress signals — they are used to indicate your position to other vessels to avoid collision.
Key Points
- Red parachute flare — long range, reaches 300m, visible 40+ seconds
- Red hand-held flare — close range, pinpoints position, ~60 seconds
- Orange smoke — daytime distress signal
- White flare — NOT a distress signal; used to warn other vessels
Tip: Check flare expiry dates regularly. Out-of-date flares should still be carried as extras but are not a substitute for in-date ones.
Fire Safety
Fire on a boat is extremely dangerous — there is nowhere to retreat to. Prevention is critical: maintain fuel systems, keep bilges clean of fuel and oil, ensure gas systems have proper shut-offs, and never leave cooking unattended.
The fire triangle requires fuel, heat, and oxygen. Remove any one element and the fire goes out. Fire extinguishers on boats are typically dry powder (multi-purpose), CO2 (for electrical fires), or fire blankets (for galley fires). Know where every extinguisher is stowed and how to use them before you need them.
Key Points
- Fire triangle — fuel, heat, oxygen (remove one to extinguish)
- Dry powder extinguisher — multi-purpose
- CO2 extinguisher — electrical and liquid fuel fires
- Fire blanket — galley fires (chip pan, stove)
- Gas shut-off — always turn off at the bottle when not in use
Helicopter Rescue
If a helicopter is involved in your rescue, listen for instructions on VHF Ch 16 or the frequency they specify. Clear the deck of loose items that could be blown around by the downdraft.
The helicopter will lower a winchman or a strop. NEVER attach the helicopter's wire to the boat — if the helicopter needs to pull away suddenly, it could capsize the vessel. Allow the winch wire to touch the water or deck first to discharge static electricity. Follow the winchman's instructions exactly.
Key Points
- Never attach the helicopter wire to the boat
- Let the wire touch water or deck first (static discharge)
- Clear the deck of loose gear
- Follow the winchman's instructions
- Communicate on VHF as directed
Tip: The Hi-Line technique: the helicopter may trail a weighted line. Take this line but DO NOT make it fast. Use it to guide the strop or winchman to the vessel. Coil excess line loosely — never wrap it around your hand.
Safety Equipment Aboard
Every vessel should carry appropriate safety equipment for the planned passage. This includes: lifejackets for all crew, safety harnesses, flares (in date), fire extinguishers, first aid kit, fog horn, radar reflector, VHF radio, torch, and a means of raising the alarm.
For longer passages or further offshore, a liferaft and a grab bag are essential. The grab bag should contain water, handheld flares, a torch, a knife, seasickness tablets, and a handheld VHF radio. Stow safety equipment where it can be accessed quickly — not buried under stores.
Key Points
- Lifejackets for all crew — easily accessible
- Flares — in date, accessible, crew know how to use them
- Fire extinguishers — serviced, crew know locations
- First aid kit — stocked and accessible
- Liferaft — for offshore passages, serviced annually
- Grab bag — water, flares, torch, VHF, knife, medication