There’s nothing quite like the freedom of a sailing vacation. What else matches the excitement of choosing your yacht and then, if you’re anything like me, counting the days until you set sail.
It’s easy to lose yourself in preparing your itinerary and deciding which exotic part of the world to visit. The luxury of taking things at your own pace and in your own time is hard to beat.
Sailing on a bareboat charter isn’t like any other vacation, mainly due to the freedom that comes with setting sail for the open sea, with your destination completely in your own hands. But as Spiderman has taught us, with great power comes great responsibility, and it’s important to have a sound understanding of basic safety rules when it comes to sailing vacations, even for the experienced sailors among you.
So whether you’re an old hand or a recently qualified would-be skipper, here are a few things to consider before you set off on your idyllic vacation.
When You Book
Every charter company will have safety codes. Before booking, check the minimum provisions with your travel operator. Many operate codes limiting the number of people on board a yacht or sailboat. Some companies limit the distance you are permitted to travel from a ‘safe haven’. While some allow up to 60 miles, others limit the distance to a maximum of 20 miles. Take into account your experience, the age and experience of your crew and location in making your decision. All boats operated in American waters must adhere to a federal code of clearly stated minimum requirements. If you’re heading for Europe, check the safety requirements before you go.
Safety Checklist
Listen carefully during the handover. Ensure you know the location of all of the safety equipment on board, for example, life rafts and fire extinguishers. One PFD (personal flotation device) per person on board is required by federal law for any boat longer than 16 feet sailing in US waters. Don’t leave any unanswered questions about engine operation or navigating systems where applicable. Ask even the questions that seem obvious, they might not be! Have a full understanding of winching and anchoring systems. Follow the safety checklist to the letter. Test everything before you set out.
Keep Handheld VHF Radios Close By
If you’re heading out to sea for a while, ensure any radios are fully charged and close by. They could prove to be your saving grace if you encounter unexpected problems.
Know What To Do If Someone Falls Overboard
It’s worth wearing a PFD at all times when you are moving around the boat while out at sea. Although you might laugh about it later, you don’t really want an involuntary ‘man or woman – overboard’ situation. Agree a procedure in advance, just to be on the safe side.
Know the Rules
Minor collisions can occur from time to time so a thorough understanding of the required sailing etiquette on encountering other boats is a must. All skippers must comply with the COLREGS – International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea. Depending on where you are headed, check them out before you sail.
Float Plan
One of the most important safety principles when you are sailing is a float plan. It’s basically your daily itinerary, detailing your departure time, your destination and also what time you are expecting to head back to port. Agree with someone that they should call for help if you don’t return by a specified time. In the unlikely event that you experience engine problems, for example, you won’t regret the float plan.
Fuel
Following on from the last tip, do check that you have adequate fuel in the tank before setting out. Again, it sounds obvious but it does happen occasionally.
Relax
A few essential safety measures will ensure your yacht rental is that vacation of a lifetime that you’ve always dreamed of. Relax in the knowledge that you have all bases covered, leave civilization far behind and enjoy.
Sally is an avid traveller with a passion for sailing the world!
Fox Rent A Car, your discount car rental company, has been providing excellent customer service along with low rates for rental cars since its founding in 1989. Today, our success in these areas has enabled us to develop into the largest independent car rentals company headquartered in California. You will find Fox Car Rental offices conveniently located at major airports throughout the world.
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