Safety at Sea

With the onset of summer, our thoughts will be turning to fun in the sun and getting out on the water. The sea will be a busy place with swimmers, sail-boats, motorboats, surfboards kayaks and sit on top canoes. It is wonderful to see people enjoying the magnificent coast line in so many different ways, but a little caution might be needed as more and more people venture out there, some without adequate preparation. Safety is a big issue, and one that we all should take on board, excuse the pun!

There are times when people buy a kayak or canoe for their son or daughter and feel they are safe as long as someone is watching them from the shore. But what can they actually do if their child gets into trouble in even fifty meters water?

Never leave shore without wearing a Personal Floatation Device

This is a generic term used to describe lifejackets and buoyancy aids. The main difference between lifejackets and buoyancy aids is that a lifejacket is designed to turn an unconscious person face up on entering the water. A buoyancy aid is not guaranteed to do this and is as the name describes, an aid to keeping you afloat.

It is vital to wear a buoyancy aid or a lifejacket when afloat or if your activity takes you near the water. You must ensure that it is the correct size, properly fastened and that you understand how to operate it. In sports like jet skiing, water skiing, dinghy sailing, windsurfing and canoeing, wearing the right personal floatation device (PFD) will give you the confidence to enjoy your activity even when you are in the water. For other activities wearing an appropriate PFD can give you extra time for the search and rescue services to find and rescue you.

There are specialized safety courses for families who have their own kayaks and want to feel safe and confident taking them out on the water, as well as proficiency courses for adults and children who want an introduction to the sport of kayaking.

Courses are usually available from your local water sports center or from businesses which hire out canoes and kayaks. Safety issues apply to ALL water sports from canoeing to sailing. Whatever your particular hobby is, please get in touch with the appropriate body for advice and information on courses.

We all have great respect for the various rescue services around the world and they deserve huge congratulations for their great work BUT we can also take some of the pressure off them by following some basic do's and don'ts in order to prevent a potential problem.

Do dress for the weather.

Do wear a lifejacket.

Do check the wind is not off-shore.

Do let someone know where you are going and when you will be back.

Do take lessons and/or a safety course.

Do make sure your craft is sea-worthy.

DON'T kayak alone. Less than three should never be.

DON'T forget to check the forecast.

And last of all DO have fun in safety!