Before Leaving Land
- Obtain Weather Forecast
- Prepare Passage Plan
-
Let person
ashore know details of your trip, destination, arrival times, route,
description of boat, passengers aboard
- Obtain Tides and Currents
- Ensure you have charts and
nautical almanac for voyage
- Look for Safe Havens
- Check for Shallow waters or
areas of danger to avoid.
-
Inform HM Coastguard Swansea of your Departure
Details, on Ch 16/67 or via telephone on 01792 366534 - Remember to
update the Coastguard on your Safe Arrival, or if delayed with your
amended expected time of arrival.
-
Let person
ashore know details of your trip, destination, arrival times, route,
description of boat, passengers aboard
Preparing boat
-
Is boat
seaworthy, check security of rigging, check oil level, check fuel for
journey. Start engine and check cooling water flowing. Carry spare fuel
During Voyage
-
Monitor VHF 16
and 67
-
Maintain
Passage Log
-
Monitor
weather forecasts
-
Ensure warm
and waterproof clothing worn
-
Wear
Lifejackets and Safety Harnesses as appropriate
-
Have regular
drinks and warm food.
-
Be aware of
crew strengths and weaknesses
On
Arrival
-
Inform HM Coastguard of your safe arrival.
-
Secure boat correctly
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Legal
Obligations
-
All
vessels are required to comply with the
International Regulations for Preventing
Collisions at Sea .The
Merchant Shipping (Distress Signals and Prevention of
Collisions) Regulations 1996 implements the Convention on the
International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea
1972, the latest amendments came in to force internationally
on 29/11/2003
-
All
vessels to prepare passage plan (Regulation 34)*
-
All
vessels to carry radar reflector where practicable (Regulation
19)*
You should also see recommendations by the MCA
"It is
strongly recommended that:
4.1 The
requirements of SOLAS Chapter V Regulation 19 are complied
with;
4.2 Yachtsmen
permanently install, not just carry
on-board, a radar reflector or
RTE that offers the largest Radar Cross Section (RCS)
practicable for their vessel"
-
All
vessels carry copy of lifesaving signals (Regulation 29)*
-
Master to communicate information on navigational dangers (Reg
31)*
-
Master obliged to respond to distress messages from any source
(Reg 33)*
-
Misuse of Distress Signals (Reg 35)*
*As defined by SOLAS Ch V Regulations,
Full information from this link
Additional Obligations
-
All vessels must observe the rules concerning what sort
of waste can be thrown over the side
and where. Under a new EU directive all vessels will have to
dispose of waste before leaving
port.
-
Local Notices to
Mariners. All vessels to be equipped with anchor, warps, and
secure towing point.
See
Port of Bridgwater Notice to Mariners No
5
-
Sedgemoor District Council. Byelaws made under the provision
of the Public Health Act 1962 Section 76 in respect of seaside
pleasure boats for the prevention of danger, obstruction or
annoyance to persons bathing in the sea or using the seashore
at Burnham on Sea, Berrow and Brean. (Sea
link to Byelaws)
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