Staying safe solo

Ok ... here are some tips for staying safe solo sailing ...

1) Tell someone what you are up to and what time you will be back and that you will confirm your safe return at this time; and tell them if they don't hear from you to raise the alarm
2) Carry some form of communication VHF or mobile
3) Flares (but I don't like this option)
4) Check your kit and carry a few spare bits of rope and a knife
5) Check the forecast and tide
6) Be realistic about the risks, your ability and the what ifs

1) is the most important and no-one regardless of ability should be beyond this.

These days you can get an app for your GPS enabled smartphone that will update your current position to a website every 2 minutes ... this means the person you notified in point 1) can just look on-line for your location. These apps are excellent saftey options for any solo outdoor sport and the cost is almost zero.

Don't be the next Darwin award case ... use yer noggin ... it's not uncool to be safe ... it is uncool to be dead.

Even on the lake we have a rule about sailing with a buddy or with safety cover in winter - 2 boats are safer than one - though you still need all the above.

Good shout; I think in most areas a mobile could prove more useful than a VHF.

Of course check your mobile coverage on your usual water.

I have called out a rescue boat for a scuppered B14 on my mobile before; if I had not been there they could have been on for a long wait.

Funny how many people seem happy not to plan for these things ... "it could happen to anyone" ...

When I were a lad point 1) was drummed into me big time ... perhaps they don't cover this stuff on the squad training.

Make sure you have good numbers stored in the phone, e.g Harbourmaster, coastguard, Club, mates with RIBs etc. You don't want to be doing 118-something to a Mumbai callcentre at that point!
Likewise know the VHF channels used locally.

The sea temp is 7.3degC today, probably warmer than inland water. The air is not! Brrrrramblemet!
It will be colder in April.


One point I will make is that a drysuit really comes into its own when something like this happens. Wetsuit might be fine when you are actively sailing, but if you are forced to stop for a while, that's a game-changer.

I have never been told to do any of the above, when I was learning to sail, I just picked parts of it up, not all of it. And I think one very important point is to carry a knife with you, if you get caught in the sail, a quick cut, your out, if your on a cat, and get caught in the netting, quick cut and your out. If you got caught on the trapeze, of an old boat, without the option for a quick release, quick cut, and your safe. I certainly think this is one of the most important for inland sailing. When at sea, I would have said all are as important as eachother, my sister and I once sailed in a force 5, part the way around an island, with very thick fog, and hail, and the land disappeared from our sight. Luckily we got the club rescue boats in contact, and managed to get back from sea safely. (it was also a club organised cruise, so the rescue boat wasn't too for away) and they guided us back to land, along with the other boats out with us.