Sailing is both exhilarating and relaxing. It is also a great way to experience nature and to see the world. However, sailing can be a hazardous pastime, and there are numerous ways that a sailing trip can turn sour if a boater is not properly prepared to handle an emergency. With careful planning, preparation, common sense, boating knowledge, and appropriate sail and line handling, you can minimize the risks and maximize your enjoyment of your boating excursion. Check out these tips to stay safe while having fun sailing on the water.   Plan Ahead Whether you are a beginner or an experienced sailor, careful planning is never a waste of time. So much of safety is in the prevention – doing everything you can to keep an accident from happening in the first place. Before heading to the water, be sure to: Obtain local charts of the area in which you will be boating. Study them, and plot your course ahead of time. Look up weather and condition forecasts. This will help you decide what days (and even what time of day) will be best for sailing and inform you of what kind of attire and gear you will need to bring along. Check out our list of some of the best boating apps for weather and other boating conditions. Brush up on the “rules of the road,” and familiarize yourself with local boating rules and zones. Create a float plan, which consists of names and contact information for all aboard, the trip itinerary, details about the boat (type, description, registration information), and types of signal and communication equipment onboard — including boat phone, radios, EPIRBs (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon) and PLBs (Personal Locating Beacons). Leave this detailed information with someone on land. Take advantage of a free vessel safety check through the Coast Guard to put your mind at ease and help ensure safe passage for you and your passengers. Always go with an experienced skipper if you are unsure of your sailing abilities. Captained sailing charters and professional lessons can help you gain the skills you need to sail independently, but do not go on your own until you’ve worked to acquire these skills. When in doubt, don’t go out. Even if you’ve done extensive preparation and research before your trip if the conditions seem dicey or you are unsure if your abilities will keep you safe, stay onshore. It’s always better to reschedule an excursion to avoid an accident or tragedy on the water. Come Prepared for Safe Sailing  Coming prepared with adequate knowledge of your craft and the area is just as important as coming with the right provisions and equipment. Before you leave the dock, make certain that you: Arrive stocked with enough food and water for your journey and have extra emergency provisions. If any of your provisions or equipment have expiration dates, be sure that you have checked them (and replaced the items, if necessary), before your departure date. Be certain that you have enough PFDs (personal flotation devices) for everyone that will be sailing with you, that everyone knows how to put one on, and that they all know where they can find one on the sailboat. Make sure that your sailboat has all of its federally required safety equipment, and that it is all functional. Have ways to protect yourself and your passengers from the sun, including plenty of sunscreen and even a few extra hats. Go through a pre-departure checklist in detail. This should include extensive boat and gear checks to make sure everything is up to code and in good working order. Utilize Common Sense and Boating Know-How Responsible sailing (and boating in general) has a lot to do with common sense. Taking a moment to assess the situation before your voyage and during your trip could save you and your passengers from irreparable harm or danger. While you are out sailing, remember to: Watch the weather and know the signs of a storm or changing conditions. If you see the sky darken unexpectedly or the wind picks up, play it safe and head back to land. Avoid crowded areas. This may prove difficult in more popular regions and during the busy tourist seasons, but fewer boats mean fewer chances for collisions. Sail away from areas with a high concentration of boaters. Do not consume alcohol or drugs while you are sailing. You have a responsibility to yourself and those around you. Staying completely sober and cognizant is crucial when operating a sailboat. Be sure to get enough sleep before your journey so that you are fresh and alert during your trip. Take care of your physical needs. Remember to keep hydrated and to get protection from the sun. If you are not proficient already, swimming classes will give you important life skills that could greatly increase your chances of survival in the event of an emergency on the water. Do not sail alone. Having company often makes the sail more enjoyable, and it also ensures that you have at least one companion to help address any problems that may arise. Managing an entire sailboat alone is very difficult and can be dangerous in less-than-ideal conditions. Know how to handle your boat. Sailing classes are beneficial to new and seasoned sailors alike. There is always more to learn and improve upon. Practice Proper Sail and Line Handling  One of the most unique and beautiful aspects of sailing is that you are working with the elements to maneuver through the water. With the hands-on work that sailing requires, there come additional dangers. If you are new to sailing, it is important to foster respect for the power of your boat, the wind, and other elements. You must learn how to control the boat in a variety of conditions and how to problem solve on the go with the changing elements around you. If you are a seasoned sailor, it is just as important not to become lackadaisical or to forget your hard-earned skills. While out sailing, it is crucial that you: Always be

One of the most important pieces of equipment on a boat is a VHF marine radio. Boaters who plan on going more than a few miles from shore should also have an MF/HF radiotelephone and an emergency position indicating a radio beacon (EPIRB). Note: The FCC requires a Ship Station License for boats with a single side-band MF/HF radiotelephone unless they are small recreational vessels. Types of VHF Radios There are two main types of VHF radios — rechargeable hand-held radios and fixed-mounted radios. Fixed mounted radios have an antenna mounted to the boat that’s capable of transmitting greater distances. In general, VHF marine radios have a range of about 5-10 miles and at least 20 miles to a USCG station. Tune In to the Radio Channels   The FCC requires that any boat equipped with a VHF marine radio keep a watch on channel 16 (156.800 MHz) whenever the radio isn’t being used to communicate. Channel 16 is recognized worldwide as the distress, safety, and calling channel, and is used by the USCG to make urgent broadcasts and weather warnings. Though you may occasionally switch to channel 9 to communicate with other recreational boats, you are likely to make contact with them on channel 16 first. Channel 16: The international distress, safety, and calling channel is constantly monitored by the USCG. Use it to contact them or nearby boats in the event of an emergency. You can also use it to contact commercial shipping vessels and to hail recreational vessels, however, additional communication should be moved to another channel. Channel 9: The national boater calling channel allows for non-commercial boats and shore units to communicate, and can be useful when channel 16 is congested. Turn on your VHF radio and adjust the squelch dial until you hear static from the speaker, then adjust the volume. Re-tune the squelch dial to get a clear reception. How to Perform a Radio Check Make sure your radio is working properly and that others can hear you by doing a radio check. Tune to an open channel, like 71, and hold the microphone at a 90-degree angle to your face, speaking clearly. Say “radio check” three times, then the name of your boat. For example: “Radio check, radio check, radio check, Starfish.” You should get a response like “loud and clear Starfish,” or “five by five,” indicating a strong signal. Do not ever call a false mayday to get a response to your radio check.  Every mayday hoax is subject to prosecution as a Class D felony, liable for a $5,000 fine, plus all costs the Coast Guard incurs responding to it.  The Coast Guard and FCC can use special technologies to identify your radio. Mayday: The International Distress Signal The word mayday is the international distress signal. If your boat is in trouble and you need emergency assistance, follow these steps to send a distress call. Tune to channel 16 and speak the word mayday three times. Say, “This is [name your boat three times].” Say your call sign or boat registration number once. Repeat “mayday” and the name of your vessel once. Give your position by latitude or longitude or bearing (true or magnetic — specify which), and your distance from a well-known landmark, such as a navigational aid, lighthouse or island. Describe what you think would best help a responding station locate your boat.  Include information on your vessel’s movement, such as speed, course, and destination, if possible. State the nature of your distress — fire, sinking, etc. Communicate what kind of assistance you need. Give any other information that will help rescue efforts, such as the size of your vessel, hull color, the number of people injured, etc. Say “over” when you are done speaking. Here is a sample script, from the USCG, of the above information: MAYDAY-MAYDAY-MAYDAY?THIS IS BLUE DUCK-BLUE DUCK-BLUE DUCK WA1234 MAYDAY THIS IS BLUE DUCK?CAPE HENRY LIGHT BEARS 185 DEGREES MAGNETIC-DISTANCE 2 MILES?STRUCK SUBMERGED OBJECT?NEED PUMPS-MEDICAL ASSISTANCE AND TOW?THREE ADULTS, TWO CHILDREN ONBOARD?ONE PERSON COMPOUND FRACTURE OF ARM?ESTIMATE CAN REMAIN AFLOAT TWO HOURS?BLUE DUCK IS THIRTY TWO FOOT CABIN CRUISER-WHITE HULL-BLUE DECK HOUSE?OVER Repeat the call until there is a response, and keep close to the radio if you can. The Coast Guard may need you to transmit a signal for a rescue boat or aircraft to home in on.  Note: If you hear an unanswered distress call from another vessel, then it is your responsibility to answer it. If you think it is too far away, then give other boats the opportunity to respond first. Pan-pan Indicates an Emergency On Board Pan-pan is used to signal an emergency aboard a vessel and indicates that the safety, but not the life, of a person on board is at risk. It may be used when a person has fallen overboard. Pan-pan differs from mayday in that it does not indicate that the vessel itself is in danger. It is transmitted on channel 16 has priority over all communication on the airwaves except for a mayday. The Least Urgent Call: Sécurité Sécurité is used to relay important safety information such as navigational and meteorological warnings that are not necessarily life-threatening.  It is broadcast over channel 16 and then on channel 22A. Sécurité is the least urgent call, after Mayday and Pan-pan. How to Hail Another Vessel You can use channel 16 to hail other ships, but keep your communication short and sweet. Repeat the boat’s name you wish to contact three times, then say your boat’s name, then “over.” For example: “Astraeus Astraeus Astraeus, this is Pink Champagne, over.” At that point, the responding ship, in this case, Astraeus, might say something like “Pink Champagne this is Astraeus. Reply 68.”  That means to turn to channel 68 to continue the conversation. Talking Points Make sure that your voice and that others can be heard on the airwaves. Wait until the radio is silent before attempting to speak. On VHF radios, the strongest signal is dominant, and if you aren’t