When should skippers insist on wearing lifejckets

S

Sailfree

Well-Known Member
Joined
18 Jan 2003
Messages
21,675
Location
Nazare Portugal
Visit site
When I started generally left it to crew to decide but generally tried to set an example by always wearing one myself.

Then I requested lifejackets be worn except when they got in the way of a suntan.

Now I always insist once we reef, sail in fog or nightime.

Do other skippers request or instruct others to wear lifejackets?
 
Its mainly just SWMBO and me on Galadriel. I'm not the best swimmer in the world so always wear a lifejacket. I put one on out of habit. SWMBO puts one on under duress.

Whilst on my boat I always insist that LJ's are worn, its my decision. I know there are many who think that being told to wear a LJ is an invasion of choice, yes there is a choice you dont have to wear a LJ on your boat, but on mine you do.

What you have to remember is that if you don't wear a lifejacket on board and you do fall over, it then becomes someone else's problem to get you back, back before hypothermia kicks in, then they only have a body to recover, no problem for you of course, your just a memory, but the guys who tried to save you will have to live with what they will see as their failure for the rest of their lives.
 
You know my stance on LJ wearing ... and I have been a guest on your boat twice now ... and I would say I still had a choice on wearing a LJ - I either wore one or I didn't go ... my choice!! As you say - it's your boat - you're the skipper - your decision ... still my choice!
 
Skipper's rules.

In my case, when on watch alone, on deck at sea, in the dinghy at night and when there is a perceived danger, e.g. fog. At other times it's the crew's choice.
 
Twisted Ken - you read me completely wrong ... please stop reading my posts as being AntiLJ - I'm not ... I'm anti being told I MUST wear my LJ at all times .. I'd rather have the choice. (see above)
 
fireball said:
You know my stance on LJ wearing ... and I have been a guest on your boat twice now ... and I would say I still had a choice on wearing a LJ - I either wore one or I didn't go ... my choice!! As you say - it's your boat - you're the skipper - your decision ... still my choice!
Click to expand...


You have never been a guest, on both occasions you were there to do a job, you were obeying orders!!!! :-)
 
I tell crew that they can wear one all the time if they want to (I often do) but that they MUST put one on if I tell them to.

Skipper rules. Circumstances would be bad weather (wind, visibility), sea state, need to go up on deck (lifeline also), or manouvering e.g. in a lock. Or I just feel it in my water.
 
Last edited:
MoodySabre said:
I tell crew that they can wear one all the time if they want to (I often do) but that they MUST put one on if I tell them to.

Skipper rules. Circumstances would be bad weather (wind, visibility), sea state, need to go up on deck (lifeline also), or manouvering e.g. in a lock. Or I just feel it in my water.
Click to expand...

Skipper Rules.......................exactly, and that is what, I believe, a lot of crew, especially newcomers, dont seem to fully understand. As skippers 'we' realise that we are responsible for everything (and much more it would seem at times) that happens onboard. Crew don't often share this responsibility so maybe that is why they (some) feel they should have a choice. I follow a similar course as you MoodySabre except I tell them that if I say on LJ's then there is good reason for it which I do not expect anyone to question. Never had a problem.
 
From my early 80s sail training yacht and private sailing school days when life jackets were still relatively bulky : -

1. Always in the dinghy
2. Always in fog
3. If you cant swim 50 m fully clothed (Indemnity Issue).
4. If you want to
5. Stormy weather

This was my position until I started sailing again for myself recently (opinion posted on other threads). It is still a position I am comfortable with but now it is: -

1. Always when the boat is underway
2. Always in the dinghy
3. In church
4. At a Garden Party hosted by HM

I have a set of automatic modern lifejackets for the kids and a full complement for adults. All with crotch straps and harnesses.

However, for me its more about staying attached to the boat hence it is the harness aspect that I am after. I am more useful if I remain on board but not according to SWMBO.

I do find myself breaking my own rules sometimes!
 
Last edited by a moderator:
fireball said:
Oh - that's why I had to clean the heads!! ;)
Click to expand...



...and fireball knows what happens when he disobeys orders on Galadriel..............



















IMG_2689.jpg








I make him get out and walk!!!
 
I hand them a lifejacket to put on. All the people I've had on my boat have not had experience of sailing before so it wouldn't be fair to leave it to them as they don't know the risks associated. Most have felt reassured by the life jacket I think. Husband is the same and always wore one at my insistence but since going on flotilla and never seeing one worn he has started to leave it off more. Luckily as we were trying to leave the harbour the other weekend and got stuck in some lumps the QHM boat came by and checked he was wearing one (he'd put his coat over the top), so that's sort of reinforced the 'need a life jacket' message.

When I first learnt to sail (in NZ circa 2001) the only person who wore a lifejacket was the instructor - he told us this was because he couldn't swim!
 
Sailfree said:
Do other skippers request or instruct others to wear lifejackets?
Click to expand...
Lifejackets and harnesses may be worn at any time. Harnesses must be worn (outside the cabin) after dark. Otherwise individual choice at all time.

For what it's worth, the only times I wear a lifejacket are in the dinghy at night. I'm damned assiduous about clipping on, though.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top