Boating Safety Tips and Contacts

Water Safety

Do please wear buoyancy jackets and keep a special eye on children.
Don't jump off a moving boat and don't sit on the front deck of a day boat.
Don't try to stop your boat by pushing with your hand or foot.
Don't approach anyone in the water stern (back) first - that's where the propeller is.

Fire Safety

Some useful hints and tips on reducing the risk of fire on your boat, and if a fire should start the best way to deal with it.
More information can be found on the Boat Safety Scheme website

For more information on boat safety have a look at boatsafetyscheme.com

Boat Handling Basics

• Your holiday cruiser is bigger (up to 48'), heavier (around 10 tons), and worth more (maybe £100,000) than most cars, so do take care with it.
• Your boat has no brakes - to stop it, you put it into reverse - and it takes much longer to stop so you must think ahead.
• The river is always moving, and your boat will be affected by the winds and tides -steering straight may not keep you on a straight path.
• Steering a boat is different, because the rudder is at the back, so it's that end (the stern) that moves. You'll be facing the front (the bow), but always think about the back end or you may find your stern swinging into other boats or the bank.
• Manoeuvring your boat should be done at slow speeds - a quick burst of power with the helm hard over will kick the stern around, but slow the engine quickly afterwards.
• Most boats turn better in one direction than the other. When viewed from behind, most boats' propellers turn clockwise - these will turn better to the left (port) than to the right.

Click here for more boating basics information

If you are on the water:

• Keep close to the right hand bank.
• Sailing boats have right of way. Slow down and try to pass behind them. 
• Make your course clear - do not weave about. 
• Watch for any indications by the crew of sailing boats as to when they would like you to pass, but do not put yourself or others in danger. 
• In some areas particular channels may be provided for your safe passage. In these cases stay within the channel. During powerboat racing, do not enter or leave via the body of the broad where the event is taking place. 
• Listen carefully to any advice from navigation rangers or safety patrol boats that may be patrolling and follow their guidance.

Look after yourself!

• Please be very careful alongside water, not just when you're on a boat.
• Wear a life-jacket when boarding and getting ashore and anywhere near the water’s edge. 
• Wear sensible clothing and especially sensible shoes. 
• Take a torch and spare batteries if you will be returning after dark. 
• When you go ashore take careful note of your surroundings and any possible hazards. Plan a safe route back to the boat. 
• Be aware that the tide might rise or fall while you are ashore, and that the boat may be higher or lower when you return. 
• Never jump on or off boats - step carefully and keep a good handhold at all times. 
• Never return to your boat alone - pair up, especially if returning late at night. 
• Be aware of the danger of consuming alcohol. Drink may make you more likely to fall in, and if you do it can reduce your chances of surviving. Never try to return to your boat late at night if your balance or judgement may be affected by alcohol or other substances.

Simple health precautions:

•  Never drink water from rivers, canals or lakes
• Wash or shower promptly after recreational water activities
• After taking part in recreational water activities, wash hands thoroughly before handing or preparing food
• Cover cuts and abrasions (including blisters) with waterproof dressings
• Wear suitable footwear when in the water to protect the feet from cuts and abrasions
• Wash and thoroughly dry any wet clothing before you wear it again
• Do not splash river, lake or canal water onto your face to cool down
• Do not swim, water ski, surf or boat in areas where the water is discolored or where you see foam, scum, or mats of algae on the water
• If you become ill after being involved in any recreational water-related activity, you will probably recover without the need for treatment. Get plenty of rest and drink plenty of fluids. Taking over-the-counter medicines may relieve some of your symptoms. However, if your symptoms persist or are severe, you have other medical conditions, or if you’re worried about illness in a child, seek health advice and describe the type of water-related activity you have been involved in.

For further information on waterborne infections, go to www.hpa.org.uk

Contacts

In an emergency call 999 and ask for the relevant service.
In a boating emergency call 999 and ask for the coastguard.
The Broads also has its own dedicated police officers. Call 0845 4564567 and ask for Broads Beat for non urgent calls.
Navigation advice: Ask a navigation ranger on patrol, or a quay ranger, or telephone Broads Radio Control on 01603 756056