Before departure
- When packing for your holiday, the bare minimum. Boats have limited space for luggage, so the less you bring, the better. Instead of bringing your newest suitcase, bring a soft duffel bag.
- Before you leave, it is best for everyone on board to discuss the rules and expectations for on board. Expectations can be about pollution, smoking, noise, drinking, appropriate behaviour and other things that are important to you or the crew.
- You should also discuss safety and emergency procedures. These are usually things like docking/docking, refuelling, radio use, wearing life jackets, etc.
On board
- If you sail with a skipper, the commander of the boat similar to the captain, it is best to listen to what he has to say. Most skippers are very relaxed, but if something happens you need to understand that the safety of everyone on board could be compromised. Always listen to them and help where necessary.
- Living in a small space means sharing everything! Make sure you discuss sharing toilets and washing facilities, the kitchen and space awareness. Be considerate of others on board.
- Keep everything in its place. Again, living in a small space makes it difficult for everyone, so try to help by keeping things neat and out of the way. No one wants to see your dirty clothes on the floor, wet towels all over the boat or cushions on the floor.
- If you sail on a boat with no crew on board, make sure that everyone you go on holiday with has their tasks and duties. Divide tasks evenly and make sure you all know what your duties are and how they should be done, whether it's preparing lunch for the day or handling the lines.
- Water conservation: Saving water on your boat is important. There is limited fresh water for drinking, cooking and washing. Make sure you discuss water usage with everyone.
On the water
- Make sure you understand the rules regarding ‘right of way’. Stay away from approaching boats, leave enough space for larger boats and always be aware of your own wake you create.
- You are responsible for your wake and the damage it causes. Always remain aware of your position, speed and sailing pattern. Nothing is more annoying than a large yacht racing across the water, passing by and leaving a huge wake, dropping your meal on the deck.
- If you pass a smaller boat, make sure you put as much space between you two as possible and slow down your boat to pass.
- In turn, if a larger boat tries to pass you, slow down so they can pass you faster.
- Pumping out: If your boat has a holding tank, you should know where there are pumping stations along your cruising route. Make sure you pump out your tank at the end of your sailing route, but before you leave for home.
- Help fellow sailors at sea. If you see someone having trouble, do your best to help while also keeping your own boat and crew safe.
- Water is necessary for sailing; be respectful and keep it clean! Leave the ocean as you found it, in a pristine natural state. This seems like common sense, but not everyone abides by this rule; we still see people throwing trash into the ocean. You can be a good example to other sailors by following this simple rule.
Anchor
- Make sure you enter the harbour, or Anchorage as it is usually called, at a slow speed, always aware of your wake.
- Never anchor too close to other boats. If the wind turns quickly, you can get tangled up with other boats or, worse, collide with another boat. You don't want embarrassing domino-effect situations where you flip five boats at once.
- When you arrive in port, follow the existing boats in tying your lines, anchoring and how much space to leave for others.
- Beware of anchor drag; when your boat floats and moves despite your anchor being down. If your anchor starts to drag, react quickly before you have a collision. Release more of the rope or chain attached to your anchor. If this does not work, pull out your anchor and replace it with another anchor. Anchor types depend on the water depth and the sand underneath. If none of these solutions work, try moving to another area with a firmer seabed.
- If there is no one to help the boats when they arrive, try helping other sailors tie up their lines and anchor their boat. Sailors always appreciate a helping hand.
In port
- Generally, it is best to arrange a ‘mooring’ before you dock. This simply means contacting the port authorities and being assigned a specific anchorage, so you can be sure you have a place to moor your boat. This helps if you are travelling to a popular location.
- Be respectful of your fellow sailors in port. If you are with a group and know you will be making a lot of noise or playing music, anchor your boat downwind of the others. This will prevent the noise from spilling over to the other boats and prevent you from irritating sailors.
- If you plan to use your dinghy (smaller, inflatable boat) at night, use oars instead of a motor. It is considered rude to sail through the harbour at night and disturb the peace and quiet with your noisy motor.
- When refuelling your boat in the marina, pay attention to the other boats and sailors who need to use the berth. If you also need refuelling, move your boat to a quieter berth after refuelling to let other boats through to refuel.
- Make sure your docking area is always clean and uncluttered. Clear away lines, mops, buckets, hoses and other supplies from the middle of the dock and close to your boat.
If you follow these simple rules, your sailing holiday will go smoothly for everyone.
What are you waiting for? Book a boat and start planning your sailing trip today!