Water Sports Safety - Sailing

iv>All motorized boats must carry fire extinguishers.
Every member of a sailing crew must be a competentEvery member of the crew must know how to
swimmer and wear a personal flotation device.operate the equipment.
Familiarize yourself thoroughly with the boat. TheBefore setting out, get the latest weather forecast. Let
safest way to learn about the boat's equipment andsomeone on shore know where you are going and
handling is to join a class with a local boating club.how long you are likely to be out. Report your return.
Otherwise, sail with an experienced colleague until heNever overload the boat. If you have to carry fuel,
or she is confident that you can go out alone.keep it in a regulation container.
A dingy must have enough inbuilt buoyancy to keepIf a fire breaks out, head the boat into the wind and
afloat after a capsize. Check that the boat has ause the fire extinguisher. However, if there is a danger
backup motor or other means of propulsion.of an explosion, get away from the boat as quickly as
All sizes of boats should carry the right distress flares.possible.