‘Boaties’ are being urged to keep safety top of mind when heading out on the water this summer.
One of New Zealand’s largest marine insurers, NZI Marine, says lack of preparation and lack of concentration can be a recipe for accidents.
Head of NZI Marine Mick Miller said ‘accidental damage’ is the most common type of claim for Pleasurecraft boat insurance.
“These claims are generally the result of boatie's hitting objects like rocks, reefs, other boats or buoys because they simply hadn’t seen them in the water,” he said.
Be it cruising around, competitive yacht racing or simple fishing excursions, NZI urges boaters to take extra care this summer. Here are some tips to help them stay safe.
1. Getting your boat ready to go out:
· Make sure everyone onboard is wearing a lifejacket (the correct size is vital)
· Check the expiry date of your flare pack and make sure the pack is of the correct size for your vessel and the trips envisaged
· Have your engine serviced before you head out on the water for the summer, be it an inboard diesel, leg or outboard
· Correctly dispose of old fuel, including auxiliary tanks. Fresh fuel is a very cheap safety precaution
· Make sure everything on board is properly stowed and secured
· Check your trailer registration and WOF is current
· Brush up on the “Rules of the Road”. Refer to Maritime Safety Authority or Coastguard material
· Check your First Aid Kit and replenish or replace any missing or expired items
· Check the service date of all fire extinguishers onboard
· Conduct a general check on all necessary boating equipment to be onboard such as ropes, torch, anchors, bailing system employed, compass, electronics, radio and clothing
· Advise your trip details to someone staying behind, including details of the voyage, number of persons going and your expected return time. The ‘Two Minute Form’ available from M.S.A Water Safety NZ Coastguard is ideal [http://www.boatsafe.org.nz/preparation/voyageplans.shtml]. If you have a VHF radio you should also file a trip report with the Coast guard
· Check the weather forecast constantly. Remember NZ weather can and does change very quickly, and what is predicted doesn’t always remain the case
2. When you are out on the water:
· Constantly keep a look out for other boats
· Keep a definite steering course as often as possible, other boats will be looking at you. Collisions occur very quickly especially when two vessels are approaching each other
· Make sure passengers keep their lifejackets on at all times
· The consuming of alcohol while underway should be discouraged at all times
· Always operate your boat responsibly and within its limitations
· Restrict movement and walking around your boat when underway, especially on a smaller boat
· Keep a newspaper unfolded in the cockpit or in any dry place on a trailerboat. In the event of someone or something going overboard, if it is thrown in it makes a perfect marker. It absorbs the water immediately, is not subject to the wind and will float for some time
· Keep checking the weather
3. After you arrive back:
· Advise your passengers or crew of the berthing procedure at a marina, pile or swing mooring
· Advise passengers to remain on board until you are securely berthed
· If you have a trailer-sailer and retrieve the vessel with the rig still up, watch for overhead power lines
· With regard to non-trailered craft:
o Check that all sea cocks are off
o Check the gas is off
o Check that your boat is well and correctly secured with your mooring lines
o Lock and secure your boat the appropriate and best way you can
· With trailercraft ensure you have secured the boat and lightboard to the trailer well and it is safe for the journey home. Don’t have any loose items unsecured in the boat while in transit.
Finally, it pays to have an NZI Marine insurance policy so you are covered if that unforeseen accident or misfortune does occur.