Emergency guide for yachtsmen

Safety on board begins even before setting sail. If you are travelling alone or with a less experienced crew, you should ensure that all important equipment is easily accessible and in working order. This includes life jackets, an emergency radio beacon (EPIRB), signalling rockets, fire extinguishers, a fire blanket and a first aid kit. A VHF radio with DSC emergency call function or a satellite phone is also indispensable on longer trips. Even without a traditional crew, it is worth regularly going through where equipment is located and how it is used in an emergency. If an emergency occurs, the situation must be assessed as quickly as possible: Are there any casualties? Is there acute danger from fire, water or collision? Is the yacht in danger of sinking? As soon as this is clear, an emergency call should be made immediately - ideally via VHF channel 16 or a DSC emergency call. It is important to transmit your own position (preferably via GPS), the type of emergency, the number of people on board and the condition of the boat as accurately as possible. As soon as possible, everyone on board should put on a lifejacket - even in supposedly harmless situations. If you are travelling alone, you must pay particular attention to ensuring your own freedom of movement while carrying out important manoeuvres. The rule of thumb continues to be: only abandon ship if it is on fire or sinking. In the event of a fire, act quickly: use fire extinguishers, work against the wind, switch off electrical systems immediately and, if possible, prevent smoke or flames from spreading. In the event of water ingress, the cause should be localised as quickly as possible and tackled with bilge pumps, buckets or makeshift waterproofing. You can also achieve a great deal on your own with a clever approach. If the yacht is unable to manoeuvre, drift anchors, emergency sails or a temporary anchor can help to stabilise the situation. It is important to manoeuvre the boat so that it is not at right angles to the wave. In some cases, controlled drifting may even be the safest option. Especially when travelling without a crew, it is crucial to stay calm. Panic is the biggest enemy in any emergency. Therefore: prioritise tasks, work step by step, don’t rush. If you practise regularly or think about possible scenarios, you can act more calmly and purposefully in an emergency. Good preparation includes regular checks of safety equipment, practising emergency call procedures (e.g. using a "test call"), refreshing first aid skills and repeating important manoeuvres - such as what to do in the event of "man overboard". Many of these exercises can even be realistically simulated on their own.
To summarise: safety at sea starts long before you cast off. If you are prepared - whether as a solo sailor or with a crew - you will act more clearly, safely and confidently in an emergency. This makes it easier to deal with critical situations and prevents a potential crisis from turning into a disaster.