This is a common-sense yachtsman’s checklist, with
items accumulated from many sources including the
demands of offshore racing, that you can adapt for your
own use. Even though some of these questions might not
apply exactly to your boat or situation, each of them
should be considered at least once by every SCC
member.
1. Do you have an instantly available map of the
locations of the thru-hull fittings on your boat?
2. Do you have a plan of action for sudden flooding of
your boat that is understood by the captain and at least
one other crew member?
3. Do you have a map of the locations of fire
extinguishers on your boat?
4. Do you have a written plan of action in the event of
fire aboard? Do you know what to do if smoke starts to
appear from your engine compartment?
5. Do you have a CO monitor and alarm on your boat?
6. Can you recognize the approach of rapidly changing
and/or severe weather?
7. Do you listen to available weather information before
leaving harbor?
8. Do you carry paper charts for the waters in which
you plan to sail?
9. Do you have a deviation chart for your compass? Do
you know how to use it?
10. Do you have a backup compass?
11. Is a backup GPS system readily available?
12. Do you have a life raft aboard that can hold the
number of people on your boat? Have you ever inflated
it?
13. Has your life raft been examined and repacked
according to the manufacturer’s recommendations?
14. Do you have a life raft deployment plan?
15. Do you know how to right a capsized life raft?
16. Do you have dry suits on board? Have you ever
donned one?
17. Do you have an abandon ship bag appropriate for the
waters in which you sail?
18. Do you have an EPIRB on board?
19. Is your EPIRB registered with the coast guard?
20. Has your EPIRB battery been replaced according to
the manufacturer’s recommendations?
21. Do you have class 1 life preservers for each person
on board?
22. Do you have jacklines that can be used when
offshore?
23. Do you have tethering points for harness
attachment in you cockpit that allows the crew member
to be fixed to the boat before exiting the cabin?
24. Do you have life sling or similar device on your boat?
25. Do you have a MOB 8 or 9 on your boat?
26. Have you ever deployed your life sling?
27. Do you have a clearly understood plan for man
overboard recovery? Have you practiced man-
overboard recovery?
28. Do you have an alternative steering mechanism
available should your wheel system fail? Have you ever
tested it?
29. Have you or anyone on board had any first aid
training?
30. Do you keep a current supply of Epipen available?
Do you know how to use it?
31. Do you have tools adequate to cut your standing
rigging in case of rig failure?
32. Can your sailing partner or crew manage your boat
if you are disabled?
33. Do you have a VHF on board?
34. Is your VHF equipped with DSC?
35. Do you have a backup VHF on the boat?
36. Do you have functioning radar on board?
37. Are you familiar with your radar’s limitations?
38. Are your navigation lights visible when your boat is
healed?
39. Do you have a fog horn and a ship’s bell?
40. Do you have an alternative communications device
(SAT phone, SSB) for use when you are out of VHF
range? Do you know how to use it?
41. Do you have SOLAS level flares on board? Have
you ever set off a flare?
42. Have you ever put out a fire with a fire
extinguisher?
43. Do you know where your fuel shut off valves are?
44. Do you know the basics of CPR?
45. Do you know how to treat hypothermia?
46. In calling for help on the VHF, do you understand
the difference between “PAN-PAN” and “Mayday?”
47. Do you understand the common distress signals
including smoke, flashlight, horns, flares and code flags?
48. Do you have on board a copy of the Inland and
International Rules of the Road?
49. Do you understand the various whistles that are
sounded when meeting and crossing in international and
inland waters?
50. Are you familiar with the rules that apply to white
and colored lights carried and shown on vessels?
Charles Hodge, MD
Safety Officer
items accumulated from many sources including the
demands of offshore racing, that you can adapt for your
own use. Even though some of these questions might not
apply exactly to your boat or situation, each of them
should be considered at least once by every SCC
member.
1. Do you have an instantly available map of the
locations of the thru-hull fittings on your boat?
2. Do you have a plan of action for sudden flooding of
your boat that is understood by the captain and at least
one other crew member?
3. Do you have a map of the locations of fire
extinguishers on your boat?
4. Do you have a written plan of action in the event of
fire aboard? Do you know what to do if smoke starts to
appear from your engine compartment?
5. Do you have a CO monitor and alarm on your boat?
6. Can you recognize the approach of rapidly changing
and/or severe weather?
7. Do you listen to available weather information before
leaving harbor?
8. Do you carry paper charts for the waters in which
you plan to sail?
9. Do you have a deviation chart for your compass? Do
you know how to use it?
10. Do you have a backup compass?
11. Is a backup GPS system readily available?
12. Do you have a life raft aboard that can hold the
number of people on your boat? Have you ever inflated
it?
13. Has your life raft been examined and repacked
according to the manufacturer’s recommendations?
14. Do you have a life raft deployment plan?
15. Do you know how to right a capsized life raft?
16. Do you have dry suits on board? Have you ever
donned one?
17. Do you have an abandon ship bag appropriate for the
waters in which you sail?
18. Do you have an EPIRB on board?
19. Is your EPIRB registered with the coast guard?
20. Has your EPIRB battery been replaced according to
the manufacturer’s recommendations?
21. Do you have class 1 life preservers for each person
on board?
22. Do you have jacklines that can be used when
offshore?
23. Do you have tethering points for harness
attachment in you cockpit that allows the crew member
to be fixed to the boat before exiting the cabin?
24. Do you have life sling or similar device on your boat?
25. Do you have a MOB 8 or 9 on your boat?
26. Have you ever deployed your life sling?
27. Do you have a clearly understood plan for man
overboard recovery? Have you practiced man-
overboard recovery?
28. Do you have an alternative steering mechanism
available should your wheel system fail? Have you ever
tested it?
29. Have you or anyone on board had any first aid
training?
30. Do you keep a current supply of Epipen available?
Do you know how to use it?
31. Do you have tools adequate to cut your standing
rigging in case of rig failure?
32. Can your sailing partner or crew manage your boat
if you are disabled?
33. Do you have a VHF on board?
34. Is your VHF equipped with DSC?
35. Do you have a backup VHF on the boat?
36. Do you have functioning radar on board?
37. Are you familiar with your radar’s limitations?
38. Are your navigation lights visible when your boat is
healed?
39. Do you have a fog horn and a ship’s bell?
40. Do you have an alternative communications device
(SAT phone, SSB) for use when you are out of VHF
range? Do you know how to use it?
41. Do you have SOLAS level flares on board? Have
you ever set off a flare?
42. Have you ever put out a fire with a fire
extinguisher?
43. Do you know where your fuel shut off valves are?
44. Do you know the basics of CPR?
45. Do you know how to treat hypothermia?
46. In calling for help on the VHF, do you understand
the difference between “PAN-PAN” and “Mayday?”
47. Do you understand the common distress signals
including smoke, flashlight, horns, flares and code flags?
48. Do you have on board a copy of the Inland and
International Rules of the Road?
49. Do you understand the various whistles that are
sounded when meeting and crossing in international and
inland waters?
50. Are you familiar with the rules that apply to white
and colored lights carried and shown on vessels?
Charles Hodge, MD
Safety Officer
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Seamanship
Here is a list of established risk factors for accidents and
deaths while boating:
1. Alcohol use
2. Open motor boats
3. Lack of training
4. Older age
5. Failure to use life jackets
Considering this list, here’s what we can do as a Club to
protect ourselves and our fellow members:
1. Recognize that the most dangerous thing we do
individually and as a club is alcohol use combined with use
of small open dinghies at night while not wearing life vests.
2. Use this recognition for a little behavioral
modification. When we drink, as we surely will, there
should be some sort of monitor to identify those who
would be unsafe running a dinghy at night. I propose that
the host couple of the party take on this role.
3. Provide alternative ride home by a designated
boating driver.
4. Wear life vests when in the dinghy.
5. Get appropriate safety training.
We do have the ability to get this kind of hands-on
training as a club. But the response, so far, has been
dismal. This reminds me of the kids and driving, thinking
they are invincible or that bad things cannot happen to
them.
Not True. Statistically, our club is relatively high risk
because of our behavior. It is time for us to pay attention
to these serious risks and change wrong behavior.
Charles Hodge, MD
Safety Officer
deaths while boating:
1. Alcohol use
2. Open motor boats
3. Lack of training
4. Older age
5. Failure to use life jackets
Considering this list, here’s what we can do as a Club to
protect ourselves and our fellow members:
1. Recognize that the most dangerous thing we do
individually and as a club is alcohol use combined with use
of small open dinghies at night while not wearing life vests.
2. Use this recognition for a little behavioral
modification. When we drink, as we surely will, there
should be some sort of monitor to identify those who
would be unsafe running a dinghy at night. I propose that
the host couple of the party take on this role.
3. Provide alternative ride home by a designated
boating driver.
4. Wear life vests when in the dinghy.
5. Get appropriate safety training.
We do have the ability to get this kind of hands-on
training as a club. But the response, so far, has been
dismal. This reminds me of the kids and driving, thinking
they are invincible or that bad things cannot happen to
them.
Not True. Statistically, our club is relatively high risk
because of our behavior. It is time for us to pay attention
to these serious risks and change wrong behavior.
Charles Hodge, MD
Safety Officer
| Yachtsman's Safety Checklist |
| Drinking and Driving Boats and Dinghies -- Mistake Number One for SCC Members |