What is your lifejacket policy?

[Baggywrinkle]

Each crew member gets allocated a life jacket when they come aboard, they all go through a fitting process to ensure their jacket is properly adjusted and they know how to put it on. Then it goes in the locker in their cabin so they know where it is and they keep it for the duration of the trip.

We sail in the med, so water temperature is not an issue and falling overboard isn't really an issue either, we do it deliberately to go for a swim. At anchor no-one wears a lifejacket unless it starts blowing a hoolie and I need someone on deck.

The rules about when to wear them are simple, when the skipper says so, or if they feel they want to - non swimmers wear them on deck always when underway.

I'll tell the crew to wear them as soon as I feel the waves are big enough to make keeping a head above water difficult when fully clothed.

At night, always lifejacket and tether.

 

[Plum]

I'm curious to know how people manage their lifejacket policy on board?

I don't insist adults wear them, but I do insist that they have one allocated to them and that they try it on so they know how to put it on and so that it can be adjusted to fit, and if they choose not to wear it, that it's on deck, to hand, and they know where it is. I tend to keep mine on, and I find most people, having put it on and realised it's no big deal, tend to do the same. However when stationary (at anchor or in the marina), we take them off.

But to be honest, it's a motorboat, we don't deliberately go out in rough conditions, and the chances of anyone falling off are pretty slim.

The reason it came to mind was while idly musing a larger boat (as you do during the off season). If I was running (say) a 50ft flybridge, would I have the same policy? I'd still want people to be allocated and fitted with a lifejacket and to know where it is, but I think there would perhaps be less expectation to wear one, and I'm not sure I'd bother personally on a boat of that size. But then why? It's not like you can't fall off a 50ft boat, or have it sink under you. But certainly, whenever I see boats of that size about, it's very rare to see everyone permanently in lifejackets.

Hence the question - it would be interesting to know what people do, and on what size of boat.

I can only assume you, or someone else on your boat, has never fallen overboard.

 

[Chiara’s slave]

Have you mentioned this to Mrs Chiara ?

Didn't go well when i mentioned it to Mrs R

She IS the skipper

 

[SC35]

I can only assume you, or someone else on your boat, has never fallen overboard.

If adults are seated inside a mid sized Motorboat in moderate conditions, how would they fall overboard, unless they were so annoying that you threw them overboard?
You don’t wear a life jacket on the QMII on the dance floor.

Possibly different for a sailing yacht that spends a lot of its time tipped over at strange angles.

 

[oldgit]

I can only assume you, or someone else on your boat, has never fallen over

Ones personal experience can affect attitude towards the use of safety kit.
Having known not infrequent occassions of club members going into the briney from our pontoons with the sheer good fortune to have enough folks around to get them out.
Have stood on the deck of a vessel with lifejackets being fitted to myself and young family by an amazingly calm crew , the lifeboats out and on standby for evacuation.

 

[Alicatt]

If adults are seated inside a mid sized Motorboat in moderate conditions, how would they fall overboard, unless they were so annoying that you threw them overboard?
You don’t wear a life jacket on the QMII on the dance floor.

Possibly different for a sailing yacht that spends a lot of its time tipped over at strange angles.

Could not get my cousin out of the salon when we took him and his wife for a short trip along the canal, they thought it was extreme when we went over our own wash when we turned around to go back at 8km/h the Ocean 37 does not make a lot of wake at all, I guess the sea skipped that branch of the family

 

[Anibal]

Mandatory item for us whenever we are under way, specially for the doggo. Many years ago over a hot bank holiday, we were locking out of Chatham and I saw this fella missed his step when retrieving the stern line and fell on the water. The lock just opened and everyone had their engines on and getting ready to leave. His lady companion had two kids on board and she was screaming like crazy. None one on that craft had LJ on

 

[petem]

We're Med based and very fair weather boaters, so apart from telling people where they're stored, that's about it.

 

[Seastoke]

What is up with captains , the stats say out of every deaths in boating accidents 85% were not wearing a LJ.

 

[Seastoke]

Only this week a fishing boat has washed up on a beach in Aberdeen with no one on board . Yes he may have died of cold .

 

[Minerva]

Only this week a fishing boat has washed up on a beach in Aberdeen with no one on board . Yes he may have died of cold .

Falling overboard when solo on a fishing boat in December in the North Sea is a death sentence. No lifejacket is going to help, just prolong the suffering.

 

[Greg2]

Everyone aboard has a life jacket allocated and if they are guests they are shown how to wear and operate it. The rule is that when underway then inside the wheelhouse / saloon they are optional but should be close by but if going on the deck and flybridge they must be worn - not a matter of choice, just a sensible policy that applies to all.

It amazes me how many people don’t wear them, particularly some yachties who are arguably at greater risk.

For those that think being inland and / or in calm waters means that they are unnecessary then just have a look at the almost routine fatalities on the Broads.

 

[bobgarrett]

Crew on a youth training boat told us their riskiest period is immediately after anchoring when, if someone fell overboard they would take too long to go and rescue them especially in any tidal stream . Hence why they immediately also dropped a dinghy to be ready.

 

[paulbrown22]

For me it's dependent on a few factors:

- If I'm solo onboard my 30' motor cruiser (which is probably the most common) and planning to move the boat, then the LJ is on as soon as I step out the car and stays on until I'm back at the car again
- If the family are coming afloat, LJ's are on to get to/from the boat in case of any pontoon/boarding accidents. Once people are securely seated inside the cabin and the transom gate closed then LJ's can generally come off and be close by, but must be worn if you are leaving the cabin to tend lines/fenders/foredeck, etc. Personally mine will stay on so I can move around the boat at any time.
- If out at night, or in adverse conditions by day, LJ's are always on
- If I'm out in an open boat/RIB, LJ's are always on

So essentially always on, other than maybe for some passengers in calm weather who are safely sitting in the cabin!

 

[Jmacd]

Certainly nothing as formal as an actual policy.
Common sense, A gentleman, or lady can make up his or her own mind how common sense applies.
What I might consider appropriate? Depends on the vessel, where we are, where we are going and who the "crew" is. Not as if I comply with SOLAS anyway.
Canoe, Kayak, Tender, Runabout, RIB, Sailing dingy, Sailboat, Sailing or Motoring, Motor yacht, little, big. Squadron? The Ferry to the Island. It varies.
What's the risk at the time?
My personal experience, highest risk is getting to and from boat, shore, dock ect. particularly the tender. Full LJ ither a pia. or inflatable with their own issues. Do you wear your life jacket to the pub. No I leave a manky old PFD in the tender. If it gets nicked? Mhee.
PFD good enough, for us, been tested. It's not a lifejacket. won't turn you onto your back if unconscious. It is a reasonable compromise.
In recent years, local ferry crew, put a PFD on when handling lines. Parking cars they wear hi vis traffic vests. OSH requirements no doubt.
I have a pretty nice PFD for my canoe or Kayak. Comfort when paddling all day important. No I don't use an inflatable.
My own boat's, include canoe, kayak, a runabout fishing boat. And up until recently a sailboat. Mainly use PFD's, they meet my local requirements, reasonably priced, good enough.
I have a few kids ones, left over from when my kids were young. So maybe best bring your own.
I do have a couple of "inflatable LJ" for my sailboat. They are fit for purpose, for my use. Due to the built in harness. Rather than as "lifejackets" a purpose for which they are not technically approved. They are inflatable "PFD''s.
So PFD optional at your own discretion. Inflatable or more accurately a harness. For leaving cockpit when I decide a harness is required. So much for sailing.
I'm getting older, as is my crew. We chartered a nice 45ft Trawler, with fly bridge, for a couple of week cruise with friends.
I was really impressed. never mind ap's and plotters ect,
It had a Heater, Toaster and a Nespresso. Naturally part of the familiarization. Where are the LJ ect. They were PFD's. In the locker by each bunk. plus a couple handy in a locker by the tender. All with nice little signs.
Everyone knows where they are if reqd, and how they work, boat did have the instructions.
Policy. We are all adults. Use your own common dog.
No we didn't wear Life jackets sitting on the fly bridge, putting along the coast on a lovely day.
The not so lovely day. Spent in the warm dry saloon, eating toast and drinking nespresso. Nope, no LJ.
I kind of liked the idea PFD worn line handling. Particularly with non boaty friends, who were keen to help. A quiet suggestion, worked well enough.
Mostly we anchored and used a stern line. Using the tender.
The tender PFD's no policy rqd. We were all sensible adults.
One shore outing, resulted in a couple of wet people. While clambering onto some slippery rocks. No biggie, Water not deep just wet, and PFDs worked as intended. Fortunately his camera and her phone were in a waterproof bag.
Sailing with my sister and her husband, on their boat. She handed us a couple of inflatable's. When in Rome.
If you expected me to wear a PFD LJ ect at riskier times. Fine and dandy. Underway on a 45ft mobo, Short term, I will probably be polite. Sometimes it's just not going to work out longer term. I am quite happy to crew with sensible people, where common sense is lacking, It tends to be a general problem extending to other areas. I have better things to do.

 

[wonkywinch]

All the comments suggesting giving a lifejacket to someone then letting them decide if they wear it or not makes me wonder who really is in command of the vessel.

Not everyone will be as familiar with the boat, the weather, the risks etc as you.

Everyone wears them on my boat until we're docked or anchored.

 

[gjgm]

!

What is up with captains , the stats say out of every deaths in boating accidents 85% were not wearing a LJ.

Interesting. Where did this stat come from?
I was just reading Water Incident Research Hub- I am not sure quite who they are!
2022 drownings " at sea" was 7 casualties, and unfortunately most were probably commercial fishing incidents. Oddly, the number of drownings in your jacuzzi or bath is also 7.
I am quite sure that LJs do save lives. It might appear tho, that very few leisure boaters drown, thankfully, for whatever reason. Doubtless people feel safer, too.

 

[ari]

I can only assume you, or someone else on your boat, has never fallen overboard.

An interesting assumption.

 

[ari]

All the comments suggesting giving a lifejacket to someone then letting them decide if they wear it or not makes me wonder who really is in command of the vessel.

Not everyone will be as familiar with the boat, the weather, the risks etc as you.

Everyone wears them on my boat until we're docked or anchored.

How big is your boat? If it's a 13ft speedboat that's one thing. If it's a 200ft superyacht - perhaps a bit draconian?

Hence the question - where's the balance point?

 

[ari]

What is up with captains , the stats say out of every deaths in boating accidents 85% were not wearing a LJ.

You know what they say about statistics...

That 85%, what was the actual total number?

And of that actual total number, how many were commercial fishermen or pilots or other people doing dangerous jobs, how many were sailors out on deck with flapping sails and ropes, or peeing off the backstays, and how many were sat in the cockpit or on the flybridge of a 50ft boat on a calm day?

I'm not arguing for or against incidentally, but I do think that figures like this on their own with no other information are unhelpful. I'm going to guess that 99% of people in cars killed in road accidents were not wearing crash helmets, and if that's true, would that statistic alone suggest that you and your passengers should wear one every time you drive your car?