Guest safety and instruction briefing

[breweraz]

We have recently purchased a MAC 26s. We came up through years of Hobie and Prindale on big water. When we had guest crew join us they almost always had some prior sailing knowledge and experience. Now we have this boat we will have guests onboard that know little to nothing about sailing, safety, terminology or basic instructions.

My question is when you have a non-sailing quest on board what you do in the way of safety and instruction briefing, prior to heading out?

What do you consider to be the basics that need to be covered to assure all have a fun and safe day?

Inundating a non sailor with all the terminology can be intimidating but some basics seem to be in order. We will be sailing on inland lakes in Arizona but even these lakes can get exciting and require all to be on the same basic page.


Thanks

 

[jibes138]

Safety Briefing

Excellent question. Whenever i have gone on a scuba charter or oher boating excursion run by professionals they have a short safety briefing. I always give one to any guests before heading out, I don't have a canned printed document, but here's some suggestions:
Where is the head and how to use it.
Beware of the boom in a jibe or tack (explain jibe and tack)
If going out to sea stay connected with safety harness
In event of emergency, flares, radio mayday instructions, EPIRB (let's say you became incapacitated, what should they do)
Rules regarding overboard discharge
Who is the captain and the captain is to be obeyed on a boat.
Life jackets and how to wear them, life raft if applicable.

That may be too much to absorb so emphasize the life jackets, and boom discussion. total rookies will mostly stay in the cockpit and not go forward, but the boom is important if you have them act as ballast on the windward rail.
Anyone else want to add anything I missed?

 

[higgs]

Too much info means nothing gets heard. I often take inexperienced people out. My boat is big enough that they don't have to worry about the boom and normally we aren't going out on a day when an accidental jibe would pose a problem.

I just tell them where the lifejackets are and it is probably not a bad idea to do the radio. i don't even bother with the head until when and if they need it.

I try to get them behind the wheel asap once out on the water.

If I don't think they have enough common sense where I have to give them a long list of regs, then I don't ask them out to begin with.

If they are nervous about heeling, I explain the boat won't tip over except under very extreme conditions which we will not encounter.

If they are nervous, I tell them that the most dangerous part of the day is their drive to and from the boat. Sailing, done with a few simple precautions is a very safe activity.

 

[Capt. Ed]

Good start Dave . I also add a discrete question on passenger health . Heart problem or especially diabetes . A diabetic will show symptoms similar to some one drunk if the get out of rhythm .PFD use explained .I ALWAYS have mine on ,but offer them the option when down below or in the cockpit . Going forward they MUST have a PFD on .We always get a kick out of entertaining new sailors . It is a thrill to show someone the ocean when they come from Kansas .

 

[Dean5735]

I find these items very important: 1st. explain to them that all the hollering, yelling, screaming grunting ranting and everything that goes on between the admiral and myself, only last a few moments at a time and really means nothing when the maneuver is over!!! We still love each other, and "this is fun"

2nd. If by some chance someone falls over, stay calm as we will turn the boat around and come back, BUT IT WILL TAKE A MINUTE stay calm, throw cushions or bumpers over for them.

AND yes the head, explain very clearly because after cocktails they forget!!

HAVE FUN BE SAFE
Dean

 

[Brian Schwerdt]

Having taken totally new sailors out on a Hobie 16, I always emphasize what to do should I end up overboard (release this line, turn into the wind). In this case, everyone always wears life vests. I would extend that potentially to a larger boat as well.

 

[Jim Seamans]

Children and the Head

I've had guest aboard with children 12 down to 6 or 7. They will wear life jackets at all times. I explain the head to the parents and ask them to accompany the kids when they use it. Males must sit down to pee, unless the parents want to cleanup afterward. Very little toilet paper is to be used or the toilet gets plugged.

 

[Love Shack3663]

For short day sails you don't need to be as extreme, but we frequently take guests to local destinations for weekends and 6-8 hour crossings, so occasionally more information about the boat and about our "rules" is needed. Not necessarily in this order and not necessarily right at the beginning but this is my list.

1. NOTHING GOES IN THE HEAD BUT toilet paper and/or something you already ate or drank. Head operation, kids, etc.
2. Importance of stowing – safety. Especially shoes (pet peeve of mine). Fridge latch, door latches, etc.
3. Seasickness – SPEAK UP, steer the boat, don’t stay below, breathe thru mouth, catbird seat, watch horizon (not water). If too late – throw up over low side (the side the sails are on).
4. Water & power conservation
5. Hold on – one hand for you and one for the boat. Boat “leaning over” is normal.
6. Damage from sunscreen & aerosols
7. Battery Usage – refrigerator, no hot water, battery switch, electric panel
8. Lifejackets location and use.
9. Docking & un-docking procedures – if we don’t ask, you don’t need to do anything but look good
10. Boom & Boom Brake - dangers
11. Steering or learning – let us know if you want to
12. Cooler & Food – help yourself – don’t be shy
13. Naps & reading – don’t be shy J we’re on vacation – one day on the boat is like a week vacation
14. Going forward while underway – use the high side – hold on – can sit on dinghy.

Emergencies:
15. Health issues we should know about?
16. Fire Extinguishers – engine hole -
17. Ditch Bag is under the v-berth. Flares under step.
18. Radio – Mayday if in peril – Pan Pan if in trouble - boat information & position
19. Man Overboard Procedure
20. Emergency Procedures – stopping the boat – starting & stopping the motor

Nancy
Love Shack (Hunter 36)

 

[Sailm8]

In addition to what has been said I designate a pointer who's only job is to point at whoever or whatever falls overboard. I then pick a back up pointer in case pointer number one is what falls overboard. This method has retrieved more hats, gaffs etc that have gone overboard. If something goes over, the pointer points with their finger extended so the helmsman can concentrate on driving the boat and get a bearing on what is in the water..

 

[Stu Jackson]

I agree with Higgs, keep it simple, and NOT stupid

Simple: Two Rules on our boat:

One hand for yourself and one for the ship - always hold onto something, always, even if it's flat.

Please, do what I ask you to do immediately if not sooner. Then, later, ask any questions you may have.

I agree that too much info up front gets immediately lost. "If you have questions, ask away," because the information input should be on the guest's time, not the skipper's.

As we're motoring out, I explain where the written information is for how to use the VHF, it's right there by the radio, where the flares are, and where the instructions, two pages, are for how to run the boat (right at the nav station).

Let's say you had someone who never drove a car before (yes, there actually are some folks out there who don't). If you took them for a drive, you wouldn't expect to teach them how to drive during a Sunday outing to the country, even if they wanted to learn.

Ask them what their level of expected involvement they would like to engage in, and go with that. They'll let you know what they want to know. Much easier than pumping all sortsa information into someone who may not even want to absorb it. But ask any and all questions when they pop into the guests' heads, because if they ask later or next week, it'll be meaningless to everyone, unless they wanna come back, in which case it's been a successful outing.

Above all, make it fun.

 

[TimCup]

Jim, You are so right!

It still amazes me that very few people have heard that all head performances are done while seated... I guess Hollywood doesn't show it, so people don't know. I actually have a sign over the head so there's no confusion.

About the only rules I go over are the "one hand for the boat" and "20 minute swim" (I tell guests if they fall in, it'll be 20 minutes before I can turn the boat, get to you slowly enough to stop, put out the swim ladder and drag you aboard... if 20 minutes is too much, put on the pfd...

I also let them know not much bad can happen at 5 mph if they stay in the boat, so relax and have fun!

 

[breweraz]

Thanks for the comments


This is the safety/rules list, I compiled, based on your comments. I am trying to keep it simple as a dock briefing. These are specific to our boat and sailing in inland lakes. It will obviously be different for each boat based on size, configuration, amenities and where you are sailing. I know that coastal/ocean sailing will need to be a much more comprehensive list.

My top 12 as it stands now:


1.Lifejackets must be worn by kids under 12 at all times (AZ state law). The adult lifejackets and throwables are located ________. If you can not swim for 20 minutes or more wear a PFD.
2. If I ask you to move or do something do it and ask why later.

3.This is the boom. Always keep your head below the boom.

4. Ready to come about or jibe means we are getting ready to turn the boat, and reset the sails, sit down and pay attention to any instructions.

5. A rope is called a sheet, do not play with the ropes or sheets.

6. Trash, bottles, cans etc. stays in the boat, not overboard.

7. Drink responsibly on the water... sailing and drunk do not mix.

8. If you have to use the bathroom, or head, it is located _________. Instructions are on the wall, please follow them. A parent must assist a young child.

9. Wear sun screen and drink plenty of water. (big issue in AZ)

10. If you are feeling sick or bad in any way let me know.

11. At least one hand for the boat at all times.
12 Relax and have fun.


To introduce the terminology, I copied a designers drawing, of our boat, labeled the basic riggings, sails and areas of the boat and laminated it. For those that show an interest, it think it will make good conversation and helps introduce the basic terminology.


I am sure thoughout the day there will be more but this seems to be a good start for a dock briefing.


Thanks