Safety briefings and all that jazz

[longjohnsilver]

How many actually do a safety briefing each time they take someone out on their boat? Don't think I've ever done one, very rarely take non boaty peeps out, have confidence in my boat, I know and check the engine regularly, will happily call off any trip if I don't like the look of a weather forecast or actual sea conditions.

I do tell peeps how to operate the bog, when to jump into the water and how I will recover them, where to store their gear. I do keep a good lookout, have never got a rope around my prop, carry full engine spares, can change a fuel filter in a few minutes, carry several dry suits and a wet suit, always have a spare dinghy and outboard, loads of lifejackets.

I've done the ICC which is PB level 2 equivalent, wanted the piece of paper but was really a waste of a day. I've dumped loads of people over the side thousands of times, have always brought them home safely, but still no safety briefings and not many (if any) meaningful bits of paper.

Does this make me irresponsible and unsafe? Surely most of this is common sense? Don't recall hlb ever giving me a safety briefing, praps I shouldn't go out on Muckyfarter again. Or maybe it's up to me to ask where things are.

And yes I know, if I didn't know what to ask, had no idea about boats then I'd tell someone exactly what I thort was necessary, but where does that stop, an hour on vhf procedure? Or what flares to use when? A half day engine maintenance course?

As I've said, common sense should prevail, seems to be a lack of it in some quarters on this forum.

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[hlb]

Yep. Bloody irresponcible. /forums/images/icons/laugh.gif

<hr width=100% size=1> <font color=blue>No one can force me to come here.<font color=red> I'm a volunteer!!.<font color=blue>

Haydn

 

[kindredspirit]

Hear, Hear.


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<hr width=100% size=1>Kev.

 

[Happy1]

Well you seem reasonably sensible, at least you understand the basics /forums/images/icons/laugh.gif BUT not all are as bright and experienced as you. I am at the start of a very long learning curve, but after seeing some pratts through the summer, it made me appreciate the research and training I got BEFORE I got the boat. I just could not imagine, jumping on without any training whatsoever, but believe me I have seen it, even quite small kids on the bows of sportsboats with no buoyancy aids, one slip and there could be a nasty accident. I think most people on here take safety and their knowledge for granted, forgetting how much they actually do know, and things they do subconciously with experience. People new to boating don't in many circumstances have this knowledge and skill, I'm surprised there are not more accidents.

<hr width=100% size=1><font color=purple> "You only see what you recognise, and you only recognise what you know" <font color=purple>

 

[longjohnsilver]

Took my kids out on my first boat years ago, had no experience or training, they had no problems and I'd do it again.

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[Happy1]

I think you were just lucky that time /forums/images/icons/wink.gif

<hr width=100% size=1><font color=purple> "You only see what you recognise, and you only recognise what you know" <font color=purple>

 

[AuntyRinum]

"How many actually do a safety briefing each time they take someone out on their boat? "

I do, every time even with "boaty peeps". I want them to know where everything is in case I go over the side or get banged on the head. Touch wood in 30 years it's not happened yet, but, if it does, at least they'll know where the flares are and how to work the VHF, it takes 5minutes or less. Raggie answer I'm afraid.

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[jimi]

me too. very brief, where the things are rather than how they work for boaties

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[Freebee]

Yes I do give briefings albeit informal and even pinned up details of how to send a mayday on the VHF.
In a way it made me feel more comfortable especially on first few trips.

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[TwoStroke]

For anyone that hasn't been on the boat, take them through a safety briefing as to how to operate the radio / handheld, killcord, where the flares are kept and our position. All wear life jackets.

<hr width=100% size=1>How much to fill'er up!

 

[c_j]

Me too, I always do a safety briefing just so even the most experienced know where liferaft, flares, fire extinguisher are located. I do it in a "if you cant find me I have already abondoned ship" sort of a way. The people new to boating appreciate that they are hearing the same information that the boaty types are.

Reading other threads recently I learn something new everytime I go out. Maybe its my memory, but as I get older I seem to know less.

My 14 year old in our rib is in fact probably safer in it than me. But when he takes his mates for a ride or takes friends for a dash round the bay I do worry that he may be a headline, but in the end I trust in the rules and regulations we have put in place, and my confidence in him that he will adhere to them.

<hr width=100% size=1>CJ
cjs@stone.uk.com


<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.stone.uk.com>http://www.stone.uk.com</A>

 

[Happy1]

I must say it is refreshing to see so many people who take a 'professional' approach to boating by doing a short briefing, and are aware of how quickly an emergency can come upon you. I do it as a matter of course, not that my boat id very big, but I still go through a set short proceedure. I include the MOB drill and bewrae of the prop, the use of the VHF (channels e.t.c.) handheld and fixed, how to read the location from the DSC radio and GPS, fire blanket, fire extinguishers (auto in engine bay and standard), location of spare ropes, EPIRB use, use of flares, use of the throw line, instructions about moving around at speed, the fact they will be informed before an increase of speed occurs, assistance for mooring, use of the gas lifejacket (including opening the velcro to show manual inflation and whistle), the use of the killcord ( and spare in first aid box), position of first aid box, escape route through cuddy hatch and operation of it & passage plan.

Now some of these items have only been added recently, after learning of other tragedy's e.g. the hatch. But this briefing only takes a short time and focuses peoples attention. My boat is smaller therefore more at risk of someone falling out, so all must be aware of the dangers.

If there is anything else that people think I should include, e.g. petrol cut off switch was one, but I don't mention that, I would be interested to hear, that is how we can all learn from each other /forums/images/icons/wink.gif

<font color=purple> "You only see what you recognise, and you only recognise what you know" <font color=purple>

 

[BarryH]

Last weekend I took a friend of the wifes on the boat. First time on a boat for her and she seemed apprehensive. Went through where lifjackets were kept and how to put one on and operate it. Think we both felt safer having her wear it all the time and giving her a full auto one. Explained what things did and what all the different noises that she could hear were.
At the end opf the weekend she went home having enjoyed herself and wanting more. First time I've had a non boaty person on the boat and have had to really do it in any sort of detail.

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[kingfisher]

"OK, listen up: safety briefing.
Fire extinguisher and flares in here
Life jackets inside. You don't have to put them on, but its the sensible thing to do. But when I tell them to put them on, no discussion, you put them on. And of course if you can't swim."
And then to finish it off, using prescribed IATA cabin crew demonstration techniques:
"Emergency exits are to the front, the middle and the back. Please note where they are" Has them in stitches every time.


<hr width=100% size=1>Group of people on the pontoon: skipper is the one with the toolbox.
http://sirocco31.tripod.com

 

[milltech]

Re: I\'ll take the 5th

...or whatever it is they say in American movies when they don't want to answer in case it incriminates them.



<hr width=100% size=1>John
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.allgadgets.co.uk>http://www.allgadgets.co.uk</A>

 

[theguvnor]

will any of the day hire companies on the Thames now enforce overloading rules ?
Throughout this summer I`ve seen what looks like a floating heap of bodies but turns out to be a 15` hire boat with pissed parents and kids sitting on the bow dragging their feet in the water - life jackets, you`re kidding ! When I was a summer assistant lock keeper a couple of years ago, kids dangling their feet over the sides while dad attempts his first entry into a lock or sitting on a nice slippery roof was a common site. I`m hardly surprised at last weeks tragedy, but surely hire boat owners must take some responsibility for their cavalier attitude to saftey

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