SEA SAFETY
Saving Lives Starts Here
Every year lifeboats
respond to incidents, which could have been prevented and lives saved with
simple safety precautions.
When you are out on the
water, anything can happen. How well will you cope in an emergency? Whether
you are an experienced enthusiast or a novice, the Sea Safety team can help
you avoid getting into difficulty
Our aim being to save
lives by changing attitudes and behaviours towards Sea Safety.
The
best way is planning and although there are many ways to stay safe, here are
the 6 top tips.
1 WEAR A LIFEJACKET
Boating can be extremely
unpredictable. If you find yourself in the water, a correctly fitted
lifejacket could be your lifesaver!
2 CHECK YOUR ENGINE AND FUEL
When was your engine
last serviced? Are you sure it will get you home? Always check you have
enough fuel for the trip and always carry reserve fuel.
3 TELL OTHERS WHERE YOU ARE GOING
Tell someone ashore
where you are going and when you’ll be back. They will raise the alarm if
you are overdue.
4 HOW WILL YOU CALL FOR HELP IN AN EMERGENCY?
How will you call for
help in an emergency? VHF is best because you are broadcasting to many
others on the water who may be listening to your call. Mobile phones are an
option but you may not get adequate reception at sea and the person you are
calling may not be able to answer. Flares are essential too.
5 CHECK WEATHER AND TIDES.
Before you head out,
always check forecasts and tide times. Ask for details at your local
Harbour Office to make sure it’s safe to go.
6 TRAINING
There is no substitute
for specific training to meet your boating needs.
We would like to offer
you a completely free, friendly and confidential service that looks at the
safety aspects involved with your boat. This is known as a SEA CHECK but it
is neither a test nor an inspection and there is no pass or fail. It is a
personal face-to-face chat about safety equipment and procedures, and takes
place on your boat at a time and place to suit you.
We can also offer
presentations/demonstrations to clubs and or groups of individuals on
subjects such as lifejackets and flares.
There are new safety
signs on each of the slipways in Torbay and local safety leaflets have been
designed and funded in partnership with Torbay Harbour Authority.
The RNLI has also
produced Sea Safety –The Complete Guide, a free guide containing
vital information and advice aimed at helping you to enjoy the sea safely.
It also includes an interactive CD-Rom.
For your free copy call
0800 328 0600, visit
www.rnli.org.uk/seasafety or call at Torbay
Lifeboat Station or Harbour Offices.
You can arrange a Sea
Check or discuss any sea safety issue by contacting me on 01803 557812(B) or
01803 669201(Home) or contacting the
numbers/website above
Don’t forget it’s all
free and it can be arranged where or when is most convenient to you and in
the extreme, could save your life!
John Turner
Torbay
Lifeboat Sea Safety Officer
