RYA say only day sailors wear lifejackets

[alant]

A sailing friend of mine spent the weekend getting his power boat level 2 for when he has his turn on the safety boat.

His RYA instructor said you can always spot day sailors as they are the ones wearing life jackets and proper sailors don't wear them at all. I assume as she was there in a professional capacity that this reflects what the RYA say.

So there you go, the RYA say don't bother to wear one!

Would have been more appropriate perhaps to have done the Safety Boat Cert, teaches different things which might be more relevant.

 

[prv]

One very important thing I've always felt is that the inexperienced really don't have a 'feel' for a boat, don't automatically anticipate the next motion subconsciously and so there is a greater need for a lifejacket to be worn by them.

I'd tend to agree. I took a mate out one evening recently for his first ever trip on a sailing boat. KS is small so me moving around the deck (taking off covers etc) does result in some motion even still tied alongside. This took him completely by surprise and he staggered about in a way that noone else (sailing mates) ever does. I suggested it might be a good idea for him to put on a jacket, and he thoroughly agreed.

In rough weather on the Tall Ships, it's always the voyage crew (ie mostly first-trip folks) who fall around the place and hurt themselves.

Pete

 

[ricky_s]

Would have been more appropriate perhaps to have done the Safety Boat Cert, teaches different things which might be more relevant.

I think he may well have done that course, though I am not sure.

 

[chanelyacht]

Would have been more appropriate perhaps to have done the Safety Boat Cert, teaches different things which might be more relevant.

Don't think so - I've always viewed the safety boat course as not teaching boat handling, but teaching safety cover / rescue techniques.

If you're not on the training ladder already, PB2 is a good place to start before learning the more advanced stuff.

 

[Giblets]

I think he may well have done that course, though I am not sure.

Do you not have to have PB2 before you can take the Safety Boat course?

 

[Marmalade]

I wear a life jacket because I'll die without it...

Mrs Marmalade will kill me.

;-0

 

[Solitaire]

Do you not have to have PB2 before you can take the Safety Boat course?

Yes Peter, you do.

 

[webcraft]

.
I have to say that I find the title of this thread needlessly contentious and patently wrong.

- W

 

[Coaster]

.
I have to say that I find the title of this thread needlessly contentious and patently wrong.

- W

I agree. It's yet another example of how part-truths are used, rather like the way in which the press works.

 

[ricky_s]

Yes Peter, you do.

I've checked with my friend, he hasn't taken the safety course, just the course he was on over the weekend.

 

[prv]

When we have a threat of the next floods (ie Cumbria) should all the locals wear LJs? - There is a greater threat to them than for most of us walking down a pontoon to our boat!

I tend to ask dogmatic types whether they wear a motorbike jacket to walk next to a busy road. After all, one slip off that pavement and you're in trouble. A modern bike jacket doesn't look excessively cumbersome to wear, and if they go over someone's bonnet the kevlar plates could be the difference between life and (internally bleeding to) death. So why not?

Pete