• The week in pictures
• Recommended reading from the editorial team

Dear readers,

From Sunday, the "Windstärke 10" museum in Cuxhaven will host the History of the lifejacket honoured. As early as the Middle Ages, buoyancy aids were made from animal skin tubes, but for a long time rather impractical and bulky cork belts and waistcoats were the life-saving device of choice.

It is doubtful whether Jack Dawson aka Leonardo DiCaprio would have saved his life with a lifejacket after the "Titanic" sank, but perhaps he could have given his beloved Rose one last gift. His lifejacket would have provided her or her descendants with a monetary life insurance policy: Lifejackets from the "Titanic" fetched up to 87,000 euros at auction, making them a good investment.

But shouldn't everyone wear a lifejacket, at least when they go out on the water?

After all, a lot has happened since the sinking of the "Titanic" in terms of the look and, above all, functionality of lifejackets. The latest generations can almost be seen as a fashion accessory on the catwalk, but also as a synonym for "It's dangerous where I'm going" - after all, even marines wear a lifejacket.

Or simply as proof of good seamanship with no ifs or buts? The discussion about a possible obligation to wear a vest has long been a hot topic in Germany. There are those who vehemently demand an obligation and put anyone in the dock who is seen on a ship without a waistcoat. And there are those on the other side who don't want to be told what to do and are in favour of personal responsibility.

There are seasoned offshore sailing professionals who consistently do without life jackets, as they would only prolong their suffering on the high seas with no chance of rescue. For the same reason, they say, the old sailors couldn't swim in the first place. The waistcoat can also be a hindrance when working on deck or in the mast and can even get caught.

But what about hobby sailors? The Tragic capsizing of the "Silja" in the North Sea reappraised as a result of which all three crew members went overboard and fought for their lives for hours. All three were wearing automatic waistcoats, which were badly damaged in the course of the capsizing and rescue, but nevertheless saved the lives of at least two sailors. In coastal waters with appropriate rescue options by sea rescuers, waistcoats are definitely life-prolonging and therefore also potential lifesavers, and not just because of this example.

Denmark, the country of my ancestors, is often cited as a good example of a functioning lifejacket-wearing obligation. After all, sailors and other water sports enthusiasts supposedly always wear a lifejacket there. But that's not true! There is an obligation to carry the required number of life jackets in the appropriate size on every watercraft - but wearing them is the responsibility of each individual, just like in Germany.

So what is right? Personal responsibility or compulsory lifejackets?

To be honest, I myself oscillate a little between the two worlds. As a skipper, I would always order my loved ones to wear a lifejacket at the latest when the wind picks up, and my young son always anyway. As a good role model, I would of course follow suit. Nevertheless, I would always like to be able to decide for myself whether or not to wear a lifejacket.

At the end of April, I will be transferring my boat, a Hanse 291, from Stralsund to my new home waters, the Flensburg Fjord. As I want to sail single-handed, I will be wearing my lifejacket right from the start - out of responsibility towards my family.

Morten Strauch, Editor YACHT

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The week in pictures:

Recommended reading from the editorial team:

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