Here’s some great advice from BoatUS about how to brief your crew before you leave the dock. Taking a few minutes for a briefing can go a long way to keeping everyone safe underway:
1. LIFE JACKETS
Don’t simply point and tell where they are. Get them out, and make sure everyone has a life jacket that fits, knows how to don it, and either wears it or knows where it’s located if stowed. Explain how inflatable life jackets work, as well as how to orally inflate or manually activate them. Show guests where the throwables (life rings, flotation cushions) are located and how to use them in the event of a man-overboard situation (more on this later).
2. FIRE EXTINGUISHERS
Go over their locations and use. Take one down and pass it around so guests can hold it in their hands while you explain the basics of how to activate and use it.
3. FLARES/EMERGENCY SIGNALING DEVICES
Cover the types, where they’re located, and potential dangers of using flares. You could also discuss basic operation, a particularly good idea for longer cruises.
4. FIRST-AID KITS
Show the location of each on board. Many boats will have a basic first-aid kit for daily use and a separate, more complex kit for serious injuries. Show guests where both are stowed, and let them know it’s OK to access the basic kit for minor stuff like bandages and aspirin, but to inform you of any injuries, regardless of how small. This is also a good time to ask if anyone has medical issues you should be aware of, as well as medications, to address them (e.g., EpiPen, inhalers). Tell guests they can come to you after the brief to discuss in private, if they prefer.
5. BASIC BOAT OPERATION
If you go overboard, can your passengers at least stop the boat? There should always be someone aboard other than the captain who can operate the boat. At a minimum, make sure everyone can bring the boat to a stop. If sailing, show passengers how to release the mainsheet and jib to dump the sails. If motoring, show them how to place the engine in neutral and shut it down should the need arise. The latter is particularly important in a man-overboard situation, as you don’t want to chance someone coming into contact with a spinning prop while trying to reboard.
6. MAN OVERBOARD
Make sure everyone knows to throw the life ring, spare life jackets, cushions, and so on, toward the person in the water, even if that person is wearing a life jacket. These additional items not only provide additional buoyancy for the person in the water to grab, but also make it easier to find them if you have to turn around. Assign one or more people to be spotters – maintain visual contact with the person in the water and point toward them until they’re recovered. Discuss other MOB considerations as warranted, such as preventing the MOB from being struck by the boat or contacting propellers.
7. VHF RADIO
Show everyone where the VHF radio is located as well as basic operation, such as how to turn it on, select channel 16, transmit, receive, and operate the red DSC distress feature. Go the extra step and show guests how to find and give the location of the vessel in the event of an emergency. Don’t forget to include younger crew members as well – teaching a 10-year-old how to operate the VHF radio and make a distress call instills confidence and just may save your life!
Read more: https://www.boatus.com/expert-advice/expert-advice-archive/2024/april/safety-brief
