To be truly prepared, it's best to know your boat, your crew, your environment... and yourself. Here are the essential points to bear in mind before setting sail.
1. Knowing your boat: a question of safety
Division 240 lays down safety rules for pleasure craft under 24 meters, and imposes safety objectives for all boaters. On board, particular attention is expected to be paid to the following points:
- Hull and steering gear
- Propulsion and mooring systems
- Traffic lights
- Dewatering systems
- The standing rigging
- Fall-overboard prevention devices
- Gas and electricity
These elements require regular checks... and knowledge shared by the crew.
When should you be extra vigilant to avoid accidents?
When performing high-risk maneuvers:
- Use of ropes, winches handle ropes by exposing the edge of the hand, not the fingers. Know the line knot (necessary in case of overfitting) and tie stopper knots at the ends of the ropes (except at the arms and spinnaker halyard)
- Gybes, sail changes, mast climbing the key is to anticipate, never improvise.
- Anchor handling gloves and closed shoes.
In the kitchen, even in the harbour:
- Burn hazard apron or t-shirt, fire blanket within easy reach. Prefer a kettle with whistle non-removable.
- Outages and piercing: round-tipped knives are preferable, especially when sailing
- Gimbal-mounted gas stove and pot holders are essential, even on a catamaran.
- When at sea, opt for pressure cooker cooking closed, safer.
The sea, a demanding environment :
- Instability of the boat: risk of trauma due to loss of balance or violent projection of objects = stowing the boat while underway is essential
- Humidity which increases the risk of skin damage, as well as the risk of slipping when moving
- Cold , heat risk of hypothermia (leading to seasickness) or hyperthermia
- Missing from sleep in periods of navigation with watches = increased danger of loss of lucidity in decision-making and alteration of the on-board atmosphere.
Falls prevention :
A few common-sense principles can help you avoid a serious accident:
- Getting around with "one hand for yourself, one for the boat"
- Identify handrails correctly fixed
- Close the hood from descent when a crew member is on the deckhouse
Man overboard: a few simple rules to prevent irreparable damage
- No urinating overboard
- In case of seasickness always hang on
- When children are present, install nets in sectors
- At night and when conditions become difficult, insist on wearing lifejacket + harness and lanyard, systematically attached to the lifeline
Sailing injuries
Visit spars (boom, mainsail tackle, spinnaker pole) are particularly dangerous when maneuvering, especially in heavy seas.
Visit mAIN RISKS are shocks, resulting in bruising, trauma and falls into the sea.
Prevention tips:
- Always have a increased vigilance in downwind gaits and install a retainer or boom brake when the edge is extended
- Anticipating crew coordination and teach them to look out for each other, especially during maneuvers.
- At gybing under spinnaker symmetrical, ensuring that the n°1 crew member is well positioned behind the spinnaker pole, which can swing violently forward
- Respect the rules of movement on deck when sailing close-hauled (windward) and downwind (leeward)
Fatigue, stress: invisible enemies
Fatigue reduces lucidity and the ability to decision-making . It increases risk-taking and exposure to accidents.
Stress alters confidence and resistance and can be contagious.
A few points to watch out for:
- Ask yourself: Am I still lucid?
- Be able to slow down or delegate to rest
- Keep a clear vision the condition of its crew
The skipper, conductor of the orchestra and guarantor of safety
Before each departure, organize a full briefing ideally led by the skipper or a designated crew member. This is an essential time for passing on safety instructions, assigning roles on board, answering questions and establishing a calm and responsible crew dynamic. It's also a valuable educational opportunity to introduce less experienced sailors to the best practices of life at sea.
The "Welcome on Board Pack" may include :
- Visit boat presentation
- The bridge tour and the reminder of tricky maneuvers
- The rules and safety
- Medical organization on board :
Also include :
- A well-equipped on-board pharmacy
- From resources for organizing remote medical assistance (individual medical records sent to the Centre de consultation médicale maritime (CCMM) in Toulouse, medical check-up and, if necessary, instructions drawn up by the doctor before departure, ocean-going medical training, etc.)
2. Understanding your environment: the marine world in all its complexity
A universe in motion:
Humidity, heat, instability, disturbed sleep... body and mind can be put to the test.
Fauna and flora to respect... and sometimes to fear
Particularly in warm seas, the risks of envenomation are real.
Species to watch :
- Sharks, rays, moray eels, sea urchins: risks of envenomation and serious trauma
- Venomous fish and invertebrates: snapper, scorpion fish, stonefish, jellyfish, physalia, cone shells, octopus, etc,
- Digestive risks: Ciguatera , cholera (freshwater)
Good reflexes :
- Always identify the animal in case of sting or bite
- Identifying species before consumption .
- In the event of a sting or bite, contact the poison control center .
- How to get to local hospital for a possible access to anti-venoms .
Crew life: keeping the adventure human
Managing sleep :
- Recognizing signs of fatigue
- Danger: auditory, visual hallucinations = immediate rest
Prioritizing at sea :
- Watch, maneuvers, cohesion, rest: a balance that must be constantly adjusted
Promoting communication :
- Every two days, organize a tour de table of the entire crew who will take it in turns to mention 2 positive things and 2 things to improve.
This practice is a simple tool for nurturing climate of trust .
Things to remember
Safe sailing isn't just about checking a technical checklist. It's about anticipate human, collective and environmental risks . It means taking care of your boat as well as your crew, and above all, keeping your wits about you and your crew in all circumstances.
Conclusion: Taking care of your crew also means sailing well
For further information, don't hesitate to get trained or consult specialized books on health at sea.
The sea doesn't forgive improvisation, but it rewards rigor, pedagogy and attention to others and to oneself.
Preparing to live together in a confined space, to the rhythm of the elements, also means cultivating a form of "daring" rare collective intelligence .
By adopting these preventive reflexes, you won't just be sailing more safely. You'll be sailing more serenely, with a stronger crew a precious asset when racing, and a real freedom when cruising.
