How to avoid Sailing Deck Injuries

Avoid Sailing Deck Injuries

Most accidents and injuries whilst Sailing on a boat happen on deck where the Sailor trips or falls or has some other kind of accident. According to JS Travel Insurance, the most common form of injury on board a Sailing trip or a Sailing Holiday is on deck. What to look out for on the boat to minimize this risk of Sailing Deck Injuries.

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Grip Strips

Grip Strips on the coaming. Here you want the deck to be as non-skid as possible to avoid Sailing Deck Injuries, but you don’t want to stick to it, which will inhibit mobility. Water mustn’t degrade its grip. Ensure they are not on varnished surfaces as they reduce strength. The key is to have them on wood. Great products are Grit Non-Skid and 3M Safety-Walk 700. Check this article out at Boating Mag. www.boatingmag.com/how-to/choosing-best-nonskid-surface#page-10

Over a while, the deck needs renewing as it wears out, so check it and, if required, get it repainted and add new grip sticks. This will improve your traction and prevent injuries.

Important that the non-skid patterns on a deck (from the usual slatted teak, raised dimples, square or diamonds are designed best for the correct Sailing Footwear).

Footwear

Often missed, this is so important. Developments now are such that there are specialist shoes for Sailing. The main requirements here are:

Grippy on wet decks
Dries fast
Comfort
Lightweight

Recommended Shoes:

Adidas Outdoor Climacool Boat Lace Water Shoe
Sperry Top-Spider Men’S ASV Shock Light Bungee Boat Shoe
Sperry Sea Kite Sport Boat Shoe

Within our Travel Insurance policy for Sailing, there is a cover for your shoes under the Personal Property cover.

Handholds

SignificBefore you set sail, go around the boat and check out where all the handholds and footholds are. Significant that handholds are not low down. Familiarize yourself as much as possible. If you are on a sailing holiday and it’s not your boat, you must get to know it as quickly as possible.

Footholds

Toe Rails are essential; they can be Aluminium, Wooden Rails or Raised Bulwark.

Please familiarize yourself with where they are.

Jackstays / Jacklines

Ensure the boat has a jack lines strap firmly secured to the ship.

Tethers

Safety Equipment is regulated by ISO 12401, which says the Tether should be no longer than 2 metres (that is 6 feet)

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