All content in this security special:
- Sea survival training for emergencies
- Stretch ropes: The correct handling of lifelines
- Lifejackets: 24 automatic lifejackets in a large comparison test (150N & 275N)
- Emergency transmitters - alerting, searching and finding, a system overview
- You should master these MOB manoeuvres!
- Back on board with tricks and professional recovery aids
- Safety check: Inspection saves lives
- Prepared for an emergency: 6 checklists for 6 scenarios
In the long run, the power of the elements does not leave even the strongest material unscathed. Contact with salt water spray, intense UV radiation or extreme temperature changes are just some of the reasons why the maintenance intervals specified by the manufacturers of lifejackets and life rafts in particular must be meticulously adhered to. The German Lifesaving Equipment Association (FSR) would like to emphasise this.
There is also a lot of other safety equipment on board. It also needs to be checked, maintained and serviced. Here we list what every owner should check again before the start of the season.
Safety on deck
Changing sails, reefing, steering: Even in heavy weather or in the dark, the crew should not be unnecessarily jeopardised. This applies above all to work in the cockpit and even more so on the foredeck.
Draw ropes
Guide lines tensioned flat on deck for picking the lifeline, usually made of robust webbing.
Maintenance/care: Check regularly for damage, such as frayed edges or cracks. Rinse with fresh water after sailing, dismantle if absent for long periods and during the winter. Check the fastenings.
Railing
It is suitable for leaning against when seated, or for briefly supporting or holding on to. A railing net also prevents sails or fenders from sliding overboard, and it is good for allowing children or even the ship's dog to move around on deck in the harbour. But be careful, a railing cannot withstand excessive loads.
Maintenance/care: Most cruising boats have plastic-coated railing wires. Rust can form underneath - this type of coating is therefore prohibited in regattas. The wires should be inspected for signs of corrosion, chafing or kinks in the areas subject to heavy loads, such as in the area where they pass through the supports. The tension of the wires and their fastenings should also be checked regularly. Replace any supports that are too bent and check the screw connections of the railing support feet. Railing nets are particularly susceptible to wear, as the thin knotted lines quickly wear through, fray or tear. They should not be mended too often; it is better to replace them completely. Railing wires and nets are made by the sailmaker and are available prefabricated in the shops.
Lifebelt & Lifeline
One hand for the boat, one for yourself - that's the old rule. Thanks to the lifeline, you have both hands free when working. It prevents you from going overboard.
Maintenance/care: Clean with fresh water and dry after use. Check the belt and line material for damage such as chafing. Replace after a few years depending on the frequency of use. Check the carabiners for proper functioning. If they are stiff, remove dirt particles with water or compressed air. Replace the hooks if they are heavily corroded. Check the pick-up eyes in the cockpit and on deck for strength.
Life jackets
When purchasing, pay attention to the required buoyancy force (150 or 275 Newton).
Maintenance/care: Whether you are wearing an automatic or solid material waistcoat, check regularly for visible damage to the fabric, straps and fasteners. Clean with fresh water after each use. In the case of automatic waistcoats, check that the compressed gas cartridge is firmly screwed in. Automatic waistcoats generally need to be professionally serviced every two years. It is best to take them to a service centre at the end of the season so that they are ready for use again in the spring. After ten years, life jackets should be taken out of service, as the service centre will no longer issue a maintenance sticker. At best, you could send them directly to the manufacturer from the eleventh year onwards, but the manufacturer will then only carry out an inspection for one-year intervals.
Man overboard
If it does happen: From simple lifebuoys to mountain sails, the market offers a wide range of products for the worst-case scenario.
Searchlight
An LED hand-held spotlight helps with navigation at night and provides light in an emergency.
Maintenance/care: Check light sources and batteries or rechargeable batteries. Always have spare batteries to hand. Check the contacts in the battery compartment for corrosion. For wired spotlights, check the plugs on and below deck.
Rescue collar with rescue light
If someone goes overboard, this classic combination (in the photo on the starboard side of the pushpit) can be thrown to the person concerned.
Maintenance/care: Regularly check the function of the light. Check the rescue collar for damage.
Recovery loop and throwing line
The bag mounted on the pushpit (see picture above) contains a rescue loop and a floating line. Both are thrown overboard and the person is circled in the water until they get hold of the line.
Maintenance/care: Although the bag protects against the sun and weather, check everything for damage in winter.
Marker buoy
Modern versions have a telescopic boom that is inserted into a float at the bottom and is fitted with a fluorescent flag at the top. It is thrown overboard to mark the position of a co-sailor who has fallen into the water.
Maintenance/care: Check for external damage. Check whether the linkage is jammed.
Mountain sails
Helps to get injured sailors back on board.
Maintenance/care: Unpack everything in winter at the latest and check for damage or mould stains.
Jon Buoy
The system attached to the pushpit works like a life raft: in an emergency, it is triggered and falls into the water. A compressed gas cartridge is used to deploy a small survival raft, which is equipped with a recovery device.
Maintenance/care: Remove salt crusts from containers regularly. German dealer SOS Technic offers professional maintenance with a one-year warranty.
Radio transmitter
This increases the probability of finding a person floating in the water. The device transmits AIS data that can be read by nearby ships with AIS receivers so that they can also provide targeted assistance in the search.
Maintenance/care: Check for external damage. Replace battery (manufacturer) every five years.
Leak detection
The horror scenario for every sailor: water ingress due to a collision or grounding. It's good to have suitable equipment on board to deal with the damage.
Classic leak stoppers
Every sea valve should be fitted with a suitable wooden leak plug. In the event of damage, a gaping hole in the hull can be sealed quickly without having to search for a long time. Plugs of different sizes should also be included in the toolbox. If there are different sized through-hull openings, check beforehand which leak plug fits into which opening and label them accordingly.
Maintenance/care: In winter, check that all plugs are still in order and in place.
Flexible leak plugs
A foam product complements the wooden leak plug: the "TruPlug" is characterised by the fact that its shape and resistance can be adapted to any hole in the hull. When inserted in compressed form, it unfolds in the hole and thus prevents further water ingress.
Maintenance/care: In winter, check whether older plugs are undamaged and still flexible.
Sealing compound
Highly viscous grease for acute leakage control. The compound is mouldable and can be smeared directly into joints or holes. It also seals under pressure.
Maintenance/care: Can be kept indefinitely when unopened. And even opened batches can still be used.
Bilge pump
A reliable bilge pump is essential in the event of acute water ingress. Sometimes the operation of a manual pump fails because nobody on board knows where the pump swivel is jammed.
Maintenance/care: Carry out regular functional checks. If the delivery rate is low, check the hose lines for holes and kinks during winter storage at the latest. Open the intake nozzle and remove dirt particles. Also keep the bilge clean. Check the rubber collar for wear and replace if necessary. Ensure that the pump swivel is always ready to hand. Open the pump and remove dirt from the seals and valves. In the case of electric pumps, check cable guides and plug connections for corrosion and apply a little silicone grease if necessary.
Fire on board
Fires are one of the most serious threats to ships and crew. This safety equipment helps in an emergency, but should be regularly maintained and serviced
Fire extinguisher
There should be at least two two-kilo powder extinguishers on board. One of these should be in the forecastle and one in the saloon.
Maintenance/care: Have fire extinguishers serviced by a specialised company every two years. They should be taken out of service after 15 to 20 years.
Fire blanket
If possible, smother fires with a fire blanket, especially in the pantry area.
Maintenance/care: During winter storage, unpack and unfold the blanket and check for damage.
Fire Knock Out
Transport a plastic container filled with special chemicals to the source of the fire. There it explodes and deprives the surrounding area of oxygen for a brief moment, suffocating the flames.
Maintenance/care: Check the container for external damage. Replace after five years (warranty period).
Mast breakage
A faulty split pin, rust or consequential damage from improper storage: if the mast breaks, you need to act quickly.
Shroud cutter
A mast that has fallen overboard and is still hanging from the shrouds can damage the hull. Up to a certain material thickness, the standing rigging can be cut with a side cutter. There are also devices with hydraulic support.
Maintenance/care: Shroud cutters are often stored carelessly in the locker for years. To prevent it from jamming when needed, keep it moving with a drop of oil and remove rust film or salt crusts.
Leaving the yacht
Abandoning ship is always the last option. Uncontrollable water ingress or fire can force you to do so.
Life raft
It is now standard not only on ocean-going yachts, but also on many coastal cruising boats. Standard yacht builders have responded and offer special stowage and fastening devices on various boats.
Maintenance/care: Regularly remove dirt and salt crusts from the bag or container and check the line connection to the ship. Maintenance by a specialised company is carried out approximately every two to three years, the date is printed on the container or bag. During maintenance, the contents of the emergency equipment (usually bailer, sponges, paddle, whistle, signalling mirror, torch, seasickness tablets, hand flares, repair kit, fishing tackle, hand pump, drinking vessel) are also checked and replaced if necessary.
Emergency bag
Emergency rations, thermal blanket, sun cream - everything at your fingertips. If the yacht sinks, there may be no time left to gather together essential survival equipment for the exit. In this case, we recommend a so-called grab bag, a waterproof, signal-coloured bag that can be grabbed in an emergency and used to store the life raft's supplies. Alternatively, you can also buy a waterproof bag from an outdoor retailer. In addition to important papers, it should contain a first aid kit, hand torches, a handheld radio and mobile phone, cold protection blankets, sun cream, at least one litre of drinking water per person and energy bars as emergency provisions.
Maintenance/care: Check the contents of the bag for completeness at the latest during winter storage, if necessary also before difficult sailing stages, and pay particular attention to the expiry date of medicines and food.
Signalling equipment
In an emergency, the crew must be able to draw attention to themselves. Distress flares, hand flares and other pyrotechnic signalling devices are part of the onboard inventory. Regardless of the pyrotechnic licence, the differences in terms of handling and area of use should be known. There is a wide range of products on the market such as Smoke pot, hand flares and parachute rockets. You can find a comprehensive overview here.
Maintenance/care: Store in dry, watertight containers. All signalling products have a limited shelf life; the expiry date is usually reached after three years. Then procure a replacement.
Injuries and illnesses
Everyone should be able to administer first aid. It is important that bandages and medication are available.
On-board pharmacy
A few medications are sufficient for coastal sailing. If you are going on a long voyage, you should seek advice from your family doctor. Pre-existing conditions of crew members should also be taken into account when compiling the on-board first-aid kit. It may also be advisable to attend a "Medicine at Sea" seminar. In any case, refresh your first aid course before setting sail.
Maintenance/care: Maintain the on-board pharmacy continuously. Ointments, tablets and drops have expiry dates that must be observed.
First aid kit
From plasters to gauze bandages, a basic supply of bandages should be on board.
Maintenance/care: Check that the dressing kit is complete every winter at the latest and supplement or replace it if necessary.
Security checklist
- Check railing, spreader ropes and lifebelts
- Have life jackets checked and/or tested
- Check/test MOB equipment
- Check life raft and signalling equipment
- Maintain/replace on-board pharmacy
Download free of charge: Checklist start of season PDF
All content in this security special:
- Sea survival training for emergencies
- Stretch ropes: The correct handling of lifelines
- Lifejackets: 24 automatic lifejackets in a large comparison test (150N & 275N)
- Emergency transmitters - alerting, searching and finding, a system overview
- You should master these MOB manoeuvres!
- Back on board with tricks and professional recovery aids
- Safety check: Inspection saves lives
- Prepared for an emergency: 6 checklists for 6 scenarios
