Sound judgement = safety
by Roads and Maritime Services 11 Sep 2018 17:21 UTC
Sound judgement = safety © Roads and Maritime Services
Purchasing, carrying, and maintaining safety equipment on your vessel is an absolute must. However, there is no equipment that compensates for a lack of judgement or complacency.
The overwhelming majority of incidents and fatalities on our waterways occur purely because skippers are either not keeping a proper lookout or failing to exercise sound judgement.
If the weather forecast is inclement, reassess your trip and consider sheltered waters or postponing the trip. If the wind is up, plan your trip accordingly. If you haven't recently checked your safety equipment – go through every piece before leaving home.
Always check in with someone before going out on the water and let them know where you plan on going. When you've reached your destination, remember to let them know you've arrived safely.
If your passengers don't know where the safety equipment on your vessel is located, or don't know how to use it, run through it with them before leaving the wharf. It's the hallmark of an experienced and responsible skipper.