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On the water, everyone has encountered a borderline situation: a badly anticipated start, underestimated weather conditions, misused equipment. Nothing spectacular, but often avoidable. And behind these situations, the question of training comes up again and again.
Today, World Sailing standards are still associated with ocean racing. However, their content goes far beyond regattas and ocean cruising. They cover safety, crisis management, equipment and crew behavior. In short, subjects that concern every yachtsman who leaves port.
Training designed for real-life situations at sea
World Sailing training courses are based on real-life situations. Fire on board, water ingress, abandoning ship, use of life rafts. Nothing theoretical.
And that's where the discrepancy comes in. A large proportion of yachtsmen sail without having been confronted with these situations, even during their training. The boating license deals with safety, but is often limited in its practical application.
Generalizing this type of training would fill the gap. Not to create expert sailors, but to prepare them to react correctly when the situation deteriorates.
Nearly 1,000 yachtsmen attend this training course every year, which is provided by around ten centers in France. Initially, the training courses were attended by ocean racers, for whom it is compulsory, but many yachtsmen have gradually shown an interest.
Fewer interventions, less pressure on SNSM
The SNSM responds to thousands of incidents every year. Many are due to breakdowns, errors of judgement or poorly managed situations. Better training will never eliminate risk at sea. But it can reduce their frequency and, above all, their severity.
Knowing how to assess the weather, deal with engine damage, use a VHF correctly or raise an alarm appropriately - these are all skills that can be learned. And they often avoid unnecessary mobilization of the emergency services.
Fewer interventions also mean that volunteer rescuers can concentrate on the really critical situations.
A direct impact on insurance risk
And then there's another, less visible lever: insurance. Risk in yachting is directly linked to the skipper's behavior and preparation. A trained yachtsman, capable of anticipating and reacting, automatically reduces the probability of a claim.
In other sectors, certified training already influences premiums. In yachting, this approach is still marginal. But it is conceivable that, in time, recognized training courses such as those offered by World Sailing could become a criterion. Fewer claims also means a different balance for insurers.
Towards a broader safety culture in yachting
Ultimately, the issue goes beyond training itself. It's about spreading a safety culture that's more deeply rooted in the boating industry. Today, this relies heavily on individual experience, exchanges between boaters, and sometimes learning on the job.
More training won't make sailing risk-free. But it will enable us to understand them better, and above all, to manage them better. And in the end, between the freedom to sail and responsibility at sea, the right balance often requires a little more preparation before casting off.
