As an inexperienced sailor who is getting ready to take on a sailboat
project, I have been thinking about the
safety aspects of
boat ownership and cruising. I came up with a list of items that could reduce the dangers involved through proper planning, execution and
maintenance. I would like to get input on the list and ideas of what is missing or overstated.
Some of the items on my
draft list could be consolidated (plumbing) but they reflect my
current research on systems as I prepare to finish a custom built
boat and take it to sea. Without further ado, here is my
Boating Safety list, Mark 1...
Boating Safety through planning
1. (83% of fatalities). Stay on the boat; wear a
pfd, use
jacklines, tethers and harnesses as a system properly sized for the boat when appropriate. Plan ahead and know you can get back on board.
2. Carefully inspect through hulls at every
haul out. Upgrade if they seem degraded or poor quality. Use only high quality fittings. Test seacocks regularly and replace if in doubt. Lubricate if they are the type that can be lubricated.
3. Inspect
plumbing system for degraded hoses, hose fittings, check valves where appropriate and of proper type and
installation.
4. Check toilets and sink drains for proper design and
installation.
5. Check for risers where necessary in all
plumbing drains (18”).
6. Check
bilge pump capacity and redundancy. Are two smaller ones better than one larger
pump? (2
Rule 1500’s versus 1
Rule 3500?) Would it make sense to have a secondary automatic
pump a little higher in the
bilge that the primary?
7. When calculating pump capacity remember to reduce by 50% for risers.
8. Keep bilges clean and pump
wiring splices dry.
9. Install
bilge high
water alarm.
10. Check that pumps will stay operational even with DC main breaker off.
11. Make sure
battery capacity is adequate and condition is good.
12. Install and inspect smoke detectors (and carbon monoxide detector).
13. Install properly sized fire extinguishers, inspect and know how to use them.
14. Inspect
electrical wiring system and correct any deficiencies.
15. Inspect
propane system hoses and pressure test using built in gauge.
16. Inspect
rigging regularly (how often?) using a
checklist.
17. Maintain your
engine,
fuel system and starting system properly.
18. Plans are nothing, planning is everything (Dwight D. Eisenhower). It’s not enough to make a plan and stick it in a drawer somewhere. Planning is an ongoing process and an integral part of safety onboard. Think about what could happen and what your response and crew response should be to that event. Safety is a mindset.
19. Cultivate common sense.
20. Learn to sail! Cruising sailboats have two
propulsion methods, but if your
sails are down you are reduced to one. If your “Iron Genny” fails at the wrong time, you may have a problem.
21. Keep
learning. There is a tremendous body of knowledge available and it is better to learn from others
mistakes.
22. Have the right
safety equipment for your intended use.
Offshore and
remote areas require a higher standard of
equipment and planning than coastal cruising in popular waters.
23. Alcohol: There is a time and place for everything (Ok, one of my favorite time and places

). Remember you are responsible for your boat, everyone on it, and the people around you.
24. Know how to
anchor for the bottom conditions, sea condition, tidal influences and
weather, use the best
anchor or anchors for the conditions and ensure they are set properly.