Safety on board

It's finally time for the long-awaited boat trip! Before boarding the boat, you should read the following information on safety on board. This will help to make the boat trip safer for all participants. There are some important rules that contribute to safety on board and should be observed by all passengers and crew members. These are

1. wear appropriate clothing.

Do not underestimate this factor for safety on board: suitable clothing, especially good footwear, contributes significantly to your personal safety on board. Non-slip shoes are particularly important here (usually with a light-coloured sole so as not to leave streaks), which will give you a good grip on the boat even in rough seas. If you are going on a boat trip in summer, you will often be travelling barefoot. However, you should bear in mind that there may be lines and cleats on deck that increase the risk of injury. Depending on the weather (remember: sea weather can change quickly), you should wear sufficient warming or sun-protective clothing: in summer it should be a T-shirt and a cap / sun hat to prevent painful sunburn, from autumn to spring a (windproof) rain jacket with possibly warmer clothing underneath is recommended. If in doubt, take a change of clothes with you before you freeze or burn on the excursion. And don't forget sun cream!

2 "One hand for the man, one hand for the ship"

Remember this sailor's rule: always hold on to something while you are on the boat. This rule contributes greatly to your personal safety on board, because even a small wave can surprise you unexpectedly and cause you to fall. If you are on deck, you should also never hold on to the outer railing in strong winds and swell. If it is not possible to hold on, make sure you have a sufficiently secure footing or sit down in a safe place so that an unexpected wave cannot knock you over.

3 Safety equipment on the boat

As a rule, safety equipment is always available on the boat to ensure safety on board. Each person is provided with a life jacket / buoyancy aid, which should be worn in an emergency or in bad weather for safety on board. The lifejackets are also "unconscious-proof" in the event of a man-overboard manoeuvre(MOB), which means that the lifejacket automatically places the wearer in a stable supine position. In addition, a life raft or inflatable boat should be available on every ship for emergency rescue.

4. storage space

If you take drinks, food, etc. with you on the boat, you should also think about safety on board. Stow all items correctly and securely in the designated places so that everything doesn't get mixed up in rough seas or even fall on someone and injure them.

5. keep your eyes and ears open

Even if you are only on board as a guest: If you notice anything that could affect safety on board, let the crew know. If you are travelling on deck, always pay attention to the movements of the crew and do not enter the area of the boom, which could catch you if it suddenly swings round. Pay more attention to safety on board if children are on the boat trip. Seasickness can also be a problem if the person concerned is very unwell. Action must be taken quickly, the seasick person should go out into the fresh air immediately and try to focus on something other than the movement of the boat. Depending on the person, some people prefer to lie down, while others feel more comfortable on deck. To prevent seasickness, you can also buy anti-seasickness tablets from the pharmacy and take them about 1 hour before the boat trip.