The people most likely to get injured on boats are male, aged between 15 and 49 years. The types of injury sustained are more severe than you might first think - injuries to the face and jaw (teeth), broken bones, severe head injuries and burns. The most common cause of injuries on board a boat is people losing their balance and falling over, or people colliding with one another or a hard object.
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
As a Responsible Skipper
- Before setting out, brief your passengers about safety
- Always apply throttle changes gently
- Avoid excessive speed, especially when conditions are rough
- Know the 'rules of the road' at sea so you can avoid collisions
- Make sure you keep the boat well-balanced when you stow gear
- Minimize the amount of alcohol you drink before or during a trip
To make your vessel a safe one
- Ensure appropriate safety equipment is on board and is in working condition
- Install hand rails
- Stow things away properly - avoid clutter
As a passenger
- Maintain your balance - one hand for the boat, one hand for yourself
- Go backwards down ladders
- Sit down in rough weather
- Don't go overboard with the booze
Don't let your mates become a statistic this season.
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