12 Boat Safety Tips That Could Save Your Life

Updated: July 2024

Last year, lifeboats were launched over 9,000 times, assisting over 10,700 people and saving 269 lives. The vast majority of them were on sailing or power boats, which shows how important boat safety really is.

Both training and equipment play an important role in keeping boaters safe on the water. No matter how much boating experience you have, reviewing boat safety rules before setting sail is always a good idea.

So, if you’re a complete novice or a boating veteran, here are 12 boat safety tips that could save your life.

1. Wear a life jacket

The life jacket is number one on everybody’s list of boat safety equipment. It is both the best-known piece of kit and the most often neglected. Some choose not to wear one out of principle; others say they are more comfortable without one.

Ultimately, it is a bit like the car seat belt back when that was still a choice. There are lots of excuses for not wearing your life jacket, but one overriding reason to try: the life jacket can’t save your life if it’s stowed away in a locker!

All sorts of life jackets are available, and it’s always possible to find something that fits you comfortably. From the basic personal flotation device (PFD) of a dinghy sailor or jetski rider to a fully ergonomically designed inflatable life jacket, there is an option to suit all. Top brands include Spinlock, Crewsaver, and Baltic, and prices range from £30 for a PFD to £200-plus for an offshore-specced lifejacket with a light, reflectors, and a pocket for an AIS beacon. Make sure it fits comfortably; otherwise, you won’t wear it, and buy a child-specific variety for your small boaters.

The RYA has some useful general advice here (https://www.rya.org.uk/blog/everything-you-need-to-know-about-lifejackets) to help you pick the right life jacket.

2. Always check the weather forecast

It is second nature to most boaters, but don’t forget to check the weather forecast before you set out. There are loads of sites and numerous apps that can give you a detailed breakdown of the weather in the next few hours and days. From Predictwind (https://www.predictwind.com) to SavvyNavvy (https://www.savvy-navvy.com) and Windy.com, many of these services are free, so don’t skip this safety step!

Check the tide times and heights before you go to sea. Spring tides (which occur twice per lunar month) will mean more extreme highs and lows in sea levels and tidal flows, while neaps (also twice per month) will mean much smaller tides.

3. Boating and drinking is a no-no

As appealing as it might sound to sit back on deck with a cold beer, you should be aware of the risks of drinking and boating. While drinking and boating isn’t against the law like drink-driving, the results of taking it too far can be just as dangerous. 

The reality is the probability of being involved in a boating accident doubles when alcohol is involved. Plus, the effects of alcohol are exacerbated by sun and wind. Mix in the high speeds of some watercraft and you can see why drinking on the water can raise the boat safety risks for yourself and for other water users.

For more information on drinking and boating, check out the Royal Yachting Association’s advice here.

4. Have local knowledge or charts on board 

It doesn’t matter if you’re sailing a dinghy, personal watercraft or a keelboat: boat safety at sea means being informed about the waters you’re sailing in. Is one corner of the bay choked with rocks, or is there a strong current around the headland? Is the centre of the harbour shallow mud?

Consult a chart or speak to a local if you need to know. There’s no way anyone can know every square metre of the local coastline, so good boat safety means figuring out where you plan to go beforehand and planning a safe route. This is also important on inland waterways – make sure you know what lies ahead.

5. Tell somebody where you’re going

Before you leave your marina, berth or mooring, tell a shoreside contact what your boating plans are. Whether this is a family member or a staff member at your local marina, tell them where you’re planning on going and how long you expect to be away. For longer passages at sea – across the Channel or the Irish Sea- you can even inform the local coastguard. 

This way, they can raise the alarm if something goes wrong while out on the water and you’re not back on time. If you decide to stay longer at anchor in the cove or change your passage plan, you can ring your contact to let them know.

6.Keep in touch

Make sure you have a means of communicating while you’re on the boat. For many, this will be a mobile phone, but most sea boats over 20ft LOA will also have a VHF radio aboard—either handheld or hardwired to an onboard aerial.

The RYA has created a set of guidelines for calling for help if you need to – which hopefully you never will! 

7. Brief crew or passengers about safety on board

It’s good practice to highlight any safety kit on board and warn about specific or common risks. The safety briefing would usually include the first aid kit, gas system, man overboard equipment, and response in case someone goes over the side. If you’re at sea, there might also be information about a liferaft.

Crew should also know where the off switches for gas, electric and engines are hidden and any fire extinguishers. Fire is an ever-present danger for all boats.

8. Suitable clothing

It’s often said that there’s no such thing as bad weather – just bad clothing. This is never truer than when you’re on the water, where the right clothes can make the difference between a fantastic outing and a tale of misery.

Don’t just pack clothes that suit the weather forecast. The weather can change without notice, and even if it does stick to the plan, it’s often cooler than you expect when wind and water combine. Keeping warm and dry is so important – once you start to get cold, your ability to think and function properly can deteriorate.

If you get wet while boating, clothes in a man-made fabric are preferable to cotton, which soaks up moisture and makes you cold. Dinghy and water sports sailors often wear a wetsuit to help keep the heat in. See the RYA’s handy guide to neoprene here: https://rnli.org/magazine/magazine-featured-list/2016/may/wetsuits-how-they-work-and-how-to-choose

But even if you don’t expect to get wet, layers are the way forward on boats. It’s hard to beat a merino base layer that boosts your body’s natural thermoregulation in cooler temperatures. Go for a fleecy mid-layer and a waterproof-breathable outer shell.

And always pack spare clothes so you can change into something dry afterwards.

9. Lather up on suncream

We’re all guilty of thinking the sun won’t catch us out – especially in the UK. But even if you’re ultra-careful about keeping yourself protected, you could still be damaging your skin without realising it, as water reflects the sun.

When applying sun cream: 

- Apply 30 minutes before going outside.

- Don’t forget the lips, ears, and other key spots.

- Reapply after getting wet and every 80 minutes

- Use a sun cream of at least 15 SPF – 30 or 50 is a better bet

Once your sun cream is on and you’re all in, don’t forget a hat and sunglasses before you set off.

10. Always be gas safe

Over 30 boaters have died in the last 20 years from carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning, mostly in narrowboats. The gas is a by-product of stoves, heaters and lamps that burn fuel, and it is often referred to as the ‘silent killer’ as you can’t see, feel, smell or taste it. However, there are a few tell-tale signs you can look out for: 

- Brown or yellow staining around or on appliances. 

- Your appliances are difficult to light and keep alight. 

- Increased condensation on the windows. 

- A smell of exhaust fumes inside the cockpit or cabin. 

The safest solution is to fit your boat with a carbon monoxide alarm and test it regularly – just like you would with a fire alarm. You can find guidelines on fitting this to your boat here: https://www.boatsafetyscheme.org/stay-safe/carbon-monoxide-(co)/placing-co-alarms/

11.Designate an assistant skipper

If you’re clued up to the max on boat safety, that’s great, but if you’re incapacitated in any way, there needs to be someone in the know who can take over. So, choose your assistant skipper wisely and ensure they’re familiar with all aspects of your boat’s handling, operations and general boating safety.

12.Look before you jump 

Jumping into the crisp blue water from the side of your boat is all too inviting. While this is great, especially on a hot day, you need to check that the water is deep enough to do this. It doesn’t take a genius to determine what could happen if the water is much shallower than you anticipated.

A further check should be on currents and weather, you don’t want to be swept out to sea! The RNLI has further safety tips worth checking out here.

Get qualified!

Pull all these tips and advice together by taking a boat safety certification. There are several available, depending on whether you are on the inland waterways or at sea. Taking an official course and getting qualified will give you confidence and help keep you and your boat safe.

Boat Safety Scheme. This is a requirement for boats using the canal system. They need to be passed by a certified BSS examiner every four years to ensure they don’t pose a risk to the canal or other waterway users. It covers electrical, fuel and gas safety, the engine, and any other systems on board.

Inland Waterways Crew / Helmsman. The RYA’s boating courses are designed specifically for navigating the canals. Safety is a major component.

Competent Crew. For sea-going boats, the RYA’s Competent Crew certification gives you the confidence to help on a smaller sailing or motorboat. It’ll teach the rudiments of boat handling, docking and safety and ready you for the next step, which is:- 

Dayskipper

This qualification shows that you can manage a sailing or power boat at sea by yourself, and it is sometimes necessary if you want to charter a boat for the day. It mixes theory about tides, navigation, and safety with practice out on the water under the watchful eye of an instructor.

Yachtmaster

Yachtmaster is the next step up, showing that you have the experience and knowledge to undertake more ambitious cruising.

ISAF Offshore Safety

The ultimate advice on how to survive if you fall over the side in freezing water or have to take to the liferaft.

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