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Dinghy Safety Info

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Keelboat Safety Info

1. Before Leaving Home

 1.1 Weather Forecast

• Check the forecast at one of the following sources and decide if you are experienced enough to sail in the predicted conditions. If you are not, contact the captain for that day.
• Wind strengths: The actual force exerted on a sail is proportional to the square of the wind speed. Thus, e.g. a Force 6 has 3 times the “weight” of a Force 4!!
• Note: Forecasts are a prediction, not a guarantee: they can, and have been wrong!

Weather forecast sources:

• TV:
• Aertel page 160
• Forecasts after the news
• Radio:
• General forecasts after the news
• Sea area forecasts: RTE Radio 1 FM: 0602, 1253, 2355
• Web:
• Met Eireann - Sea Area Forecast
• Understanding the forecast: www.met.ie/marine/marine_sea_area.asp
• Beaufort scale: www.met.ie/climate/wind.asp#beaufort
• Current conditions in Dun Laoighaire harbour  www.dlharbour.ie
• Windguru: www.windguru.cz/int
• Magic seaweed: http://magicseaweed.com
• Synoptic charts: http://www2.wetter3.de/fax.html Choose the link on the left - UK Met Office (Bodenanalyse/Boden +24 etc.)
• Phone:
• Met Eireann via mobile phone: mobile.met.ie
• Weatherdial: 1550 123 855, or for Dublin Bay 1550 123 854
• FAX: 1570 131 838: follow voice prompts, code 0021 for sea area forecast.

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1.2 Tides

Check the times of high/low water at one of the sources listed below. You should then know if you will be sailing with/against the tide – it will be more difficult to return if you will be sailing against the tide.

• Launching: if launching at a low water level you will need to leave your boat’s trolley near the top of the slipway.
• Directions: Remember that tide directions go TO a compass heading while wind directions come FROM a compass heading (i.e. a southerly tide is flowing to the south, a southerly wind is coming from the south).
• Wind against tide: The sea state will be much rougher if the wind and tide directions oppose each other.
• Wind & Pressure: Predicted times and heights of HW and LW take no account of the effects of wind and atmospheric pressure (which may affect the predicted heights).
• Daylight savings time: You may need to take account of Daylight Savings Time as tide tables for Irish waters are published for GMT/UT, i.e. during summer time add 1 hour to times listed in tide tables.
• Terminology: UT-1 means that you should subtract 1 hour from local time to obtain UT/GMT (e.g. for the European mainland).
• Strength of tide: There are roughly 6 hours between high water and low water, and similarly, 6 hours between low water and high water. The depth difference between high water and low water and between low water and high water will change by a certain amount.
  A rule of thumb is that the height of tide will change by 1/12 of it’s total in the first hour, 2/12 in the 2nd hour, 3/12 in the 3rd hour, 3/12 in the 4th, 2/12 in the 5th and 1/12 in the 6th hour. Thus, the tide will be strongest in the middle 2 hours and weakest in the first and sixth hours.

Tidal data sources:

• Tide tables on the Web:
• ISA: www.sailing.ie, select “My Boat”.
• Easy Tide: http://easytide.ukho.gov.uk/EasyTide/EasyTide/SelectPrediction.aspx?PortID=0615
• Dun Laoghaire tide tables: purchase for €2 from Viking Marine.
• Dun Laoghaire tidal stream diagrams
• A current Nautical Almanac (e.g. Reeds).
• Newspapers

Boat’s draft: When calculating critical tidal heights be aware that the swell may mean that the actual water level will fluctuate above and below the calculated level.

• Draft of Sigma 33: 1.83m, allow 2.5 m for safety.
• Draft of Ruffian: 1.5m, allow 2.5m for safety.

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1.3 Stena HSS

Check departure and arrival times and stay out of its way! If you impede the HSS you, not the club, will face a severe fine (approximately €5,000).

HSS timetable

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1.4 Notices to Mariners

These are updated regularly:

• Dun Laoghaire Harbour: www.dlharbour.ie/content/notices/index.php
• Marine safety directorate: www.transport.ie/
• Commissioners of the Irish Lights

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1.5 Personal Safety Gear for Keelboats

Mandatory

• Sailing knife: Tie it on in an accessible place, with a lanyard of arm’s length. It could save your life if you get wrapped in ropes beneath the water.
• Lifejacket: Everybody must have a lifejacket and you MUST ALWAYS wear a lifejacket when on deck (150N for inshore and coastal, 275N for offshore).

It should carry the ship’s wheel symbol to show that it meets the Marine Equipment Directive, it should have a crotch strap, whistle + light (+ ideally a spray hood). Auto-inflation models are recommended. Ensure that you know how to inflate it (including manually).
Adjust the straps for a secure fit (you should just be able to put your hand between the lifejacket and your chest).
See the lifejacket brochure at: www.safetyonthewater.ie and the RNLI lifejacket brochure at: www.rnli.org.uk/what_we_do/sea_and_beach_safety/sea_safety/lifejacket_campaign.

• Waterproof jacket + trousers
• Warm layers of clothing
• Safety lines: There must be one for everybody.

Recommended

• Hat: Wear a suncap for warm weather, or a warm hat for cold weather sailing.
• Sailing gloves: Full length waterproof gloves are recommended for cold weather sailing
• Non-slip waterproof boots
• Waterproof torch: in case you fall overboard at night.
• Suntan lotion: Remember that UV rays can penetrate clouds and burn you. This effect is increased by reflections off the sea. The breeze may keep you cool enough not to notice the burning until it is too late!
• Sunglasses (+ spare prescription glasses if you need them)
• Food and water
• Seasickness tablets

1.6 Collision Prevention

Become familiar with the basic collision regulations. See Appendix 1 in:  www.safetyonthewater.ie/upload/general/9650-0.pdf.

• In a nutshell: Avoid collisions at all times!!
• Lookout: Maintain a proper lookout at all times, and in all directions – especially before a manoeuvre. Regularly check the area ”below” or to lee where visibility is obstructed by your sails.
• Starboard rule: When each boat has the wind on a different side, the boat that has the wind on the port/left side shall keep out of the way of the other boat.
• The boat on starboard tack may shout “Starboard” at you.
• If a vessel with the wind on the port side sees a vessel to windward and cannot determine with certainty whether the other vessel has the wind on the port or the starboard side, it shall keep out of the way of the other boat.
• Windward rule: When both boats have the wind on the same side, the vessel that is to windward (closer to where the wind is coming from) shall keep out of the way of the vessel that is to leeward.

The other boat may shout “Windward” or “Up, Up” at you.

• Overtaking: An overtaking boat must always keep clear.
• Head-on: In a head-on situation, always alter course to the right (starboard), i.e. pass other boats Port to Port.
• Crossing: When two boats are crossing, the boat on your right (Starboard) has the right of way – you should keep clear, by either altering course or slowing down, to pass astern of the other vessel.
• Narrow channels: Power does not necessarily give way to sail when vessels are navigating in narrow channels (e.g. the marked channel in Dun Laoighaire harbour). In most cases small craft can sail outside the main channel – check the chart for depths and hazards. You must not impede the Stena HSS.
• Beware of inexperienced sailors: Don’t push your luck by forcing your ‘right of way’ – perhaps the other boat user doesn’t know the rules. You should do whatever is necessary to avoid a collision – take early and clear action to avoid a collision.
• Speed: Craft should at all times proceed at a safe speed, considering weather conditions, traffic density, visibility, depth of available water, and the craft’s manoeuvring qualities.
• Racing: In addition to the standard regulations above, those club members participating in Keelboat Racing (such as the DBSC) should familiarise themselves with the rules of racing also. These may be downloaded from the ISA: www.sailing.ie/inside/default.asp?pageId=543

• In addition, here is a useful “Racing Rules Quiz” (using animated scenarios) which can help greatly with understanding the rules and putting them into practise! www.ukhalsey.com/RulesQuiz/quiz_list.asp

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1.7 Shore Contact

The skipper should tell somebody ashore when he/she expects to reach the destination or return. Don’t forget to tell them when you reach the destination or when you return!

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1.8 Know your knots

Practice the following knots:

• Figure of eight: a good stopper knot
• Round turn and two half hitches
• Bowline
• Clove hitch
• Rolling hitch
• Reef knot: for tying in reef points
• Sheet bend: for joining 2 ropes – once they both remain under steady strain

See www.animatedknots.com/indexboating.php

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2. Before Setting Sail

2.1 Safety Gear on Deck

• Jackstays: to clip on your safety lines.
• Liferaft: Recommended if sailing outside Dublin Bay. A hydrostatic release is recommended.
• Danbuoy: This is a pole with a flag to mark position of a man overboard), attach it to the lifebuoy. Check the batteries for the light.
• Lifebuoy: with whistle, sea anchor + self-igniting light (check the batteries)
• Throw-rope/bag: For throwing to a man overboard (first tie one end to the boat).
• Radar Reflector: Legal (SOLAS) requirement. Octahedral type recommended. ISO8729
• Ship’s knife: It should be easily accessible on the mast or in the cabin.
• Lights: Full navigation lights & anchor light. Check that they all work. Shapes: anchoring ball, motoring cone.

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2.2 Safety Gear below Deck

• Lifejackets + spare gas cylinders for lifejackets.
• Boarding ladder: in case of a man overboard (stored in the cockpit locker on Obsession).
• MOB:  Suitable system to recover a Man Overboard
• Illustrated table of distress & lifesaving signals: Legal (SOLAS) requirement – contained in a nautical almanac.
• Stickers marking locations of all safety equipment
• Softwood bungs: to plug broken skin fittings
• VHF radio: + licensed operator(s). Emergency aerial + deck mounting recommended (in case the boat is de-masted). The radio’s license should contain the Radio Call Sign for the vessel and a Maritime Mobile Call Sign (MMSI) number if the radio has Digital Selective Calling (DSC). Also: waterproof handheld VHF (charge the battery and preferably bring a fully charged spare battery).

Read the manual at: www.sailingindublin.ie/MembersOnly/Contact/task.php
Range: VHF range is slightly better than line of sight, it is typically about 20M (nautical miles) between yachts and up to 65M to a shore station.

• AM/FM radio: for weather forecasts
• GPS: Ensure datum matches charts (usually WGS84), units (nautical miles) set correctly, degrees set to True North rather than Magnetic North.

Read the GPS manual at: www.sailingindublin.ie/MembersOnly/Contact/task.php

• EPIRB: Recommended by the RNLI if you are sailing more than 30-40 nautical miles offshore. It must be an approved model, it must be programmed with the country code for Ireland and the Radio Call Sign (250 + Radio Call Sign). Ensure that it is registered with the Maritime Radio Affairs Unit of the Maritime Safety Directorate and that you know how to activate it! Individuals may also carry PLB’s (Personal Locator Beacons) if they wish.
• Fire extinguisher(s): They should be in date and located near the exits of cabins. 5A/34B rating to BS5423
• Fire blanket: Marked with “CE” symbol.
• First aid kit: + crew members trained in first aid! See First Aid procedures in a nautical almanac.
• Flares: 4 handheld distress flares, 4 handheld white flares, 4 parachute rocket red flares, 2 orange smoke signal canisters. Check that the flares are in date.
• Speed log and Echo sounder Also bring a leadline as a backup to measure depth – you can put Vaseline on it to check seabed composition.
• Steering compass (with light for night sailing), hand bearing compass, binoculars, barometer + clock/watches
• Spotlight: 3.5 million candle-power (recommended), otherwise: a powerful waterproof torch, check the batteries and bring spares (in date).
• Fog horn + spare gas cylinder
• Tools: in case of de-masting. Wrap a bolt cutters in an oily rag and seal it in a bag. Also have tools and spares for the engine (fan belt set, oil filter, sea water pump impellor and gaskets, jubilee clips for hoses), screwdrivers, spanners, hacksaw + spare blades, pliers, vice grips, oil.
• Floating grab bag: stores passports, wallets, phones, handheld VHF + GPS, water, flares, emergency food bars. Store it just inside the cabin, within easy reach. A PLB (Personal Locator Beacon) may also be included.
• Anchor + rope/chain: Carry two for anchoring in rough weather or in restricted width channels.
• 2 buckets + lanyards
• Manual bilge pump
• Charts (updated regularly), Nautical almanac (updated regularly), Pilot books (updated regularly), Plotter, dividers, pencils, eraser.

• Updates to Reid’s nautical almanac: www.reedsalmanac.co.uk/updates.asp

• Procedures:

• Starting the engine: See Sigma Engine Operators Manual at: www.sailingindublin.ie/MembersOnly/Contact/task.php
• Engine troubleshooting - Section 5.5
• VHF radio: Read the manual at: www.sailingindublin.ie/MembersOnly/Contact/task.php
• Emergencies: See the nautical almanac

• Storm sails: clearly labelled on sail and bag for quick identification.
• Inflatable tender & pump.
• Spare fuel and water
• Spares: fuses etc.
• Optional: Thermal blankets, SEAME (active radar repeater), AIS (Automatic Identification System – transmits your vessel’s location and identity)

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2.3 Ruffian

Ensure compliance with the Irish Ruffian Association’s Safety Checklist.

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2.4 Weather Forecast

Check it again before you depart.

Offshore winds: An offshore wind becomes considerably stronger as you sail away from the shore. Ensure that your sails are appropriately reefed if necessary.

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2.5 Passage Plan

By law (SOLAS) the skipper must prepare a written passage plan before departure, use the Captain’s log. This may be quite basic if just sailing in Dublin Bay. Consider:

• Limitations of vessel: Is it suitable for the passage? Safety equipment, fuel, water, food.
• Crew – are they sufficiently experienced ?
• Navigational dangers
• Tides
• Weather
• Contingency plan
• GPS: can you navigate without it ?
• Shore contact

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2.6 Checks to perform

• Engine: Check fuel level (plan to return with at least 1/3 tank), check oil level, check belt tension, check for leaks, check the fuel filter, check the exhaust (water being ejected from the boat when the engine is running).
• Grease: Turn the stern-tube greaser until you feel resistance.
• Bilge: Pump out water if necessary.
• Batteries: Check the charge if each battery individually.
• Communications gear + GPS: Ensure that they are working correctly.

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2.7 Skipper’s safety briefing

The skipper should inform the crew about: locations of safety equipment, lifelines, lifebuoys, flares, fire fighting equipment, first aid kit, introduce the first aider, ask if any crew have medical issues.
Discuss hazards: boom, winches, sheets, foredeck, gas (including cut off switches), fires (engine + general).

Also, brief at least one other person about: launching liferafts, man overboard procedures, anchoring/mooring/berthing, the use of communications equipment, GPS + navigation lights, controlling the engine, location of grab bag, how to navigate to a place of safety. Jointly plan places of refuge in case of bad weather.

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2.8 Route Planning

• Depths/soundings: Check the units used on the chart, most are in metres but some charts may use feet.
• Waypoints: When entering GPS waypoints, do not enter the positions of charted objects – you might hit them! Enter adjacent points instead. Always check waypoints on a chart before entering them to ensure that they are correct.
• Pilotage: Prepare a pilotage plan for unfamiliar harbours (a sheet in a plastic cover which you can read on deck). At night: perhaps wait for an hour after moonrise to gain additional light. See a nautical almanac for moonrise times or an appropriate website (e.g. www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/moonrise.html).
• Tidal races: Tidal races can form off headlands, the sea can be very rough in these areas, especially if the wind opposes the tide. You may wish to avoid these areas except if the weather is calm or the tide is slack.
• Tidal graphs: Bring multiple photocopies of the relevant tidal graphs from the almanac.
• Weather forecasts: Bring blank sea area forecast forms (e.g. the Glenans version: http://gisc.ie/images/stories/books/weatherbook.PDF) for writing down forecasts that you receive while at sea.
• Tidal atlas: If it is based on high water at Dover, ensure that you lookup high water times for Dover, not your actual location!
• Depth of water: Plan your passage carefully and consider charted depths and tidal heights so that you do not run aground.
• Draft: Know the draft of your vessel for tidal calculations:
• Draft of Sigma 33: 1.83m, allow 2.5 m for safety.
• Draft of Ruffian: 1.5m, allow 2.5m for safety.
• Position plotting:
• The quickest way to keep plotting your position on a chart is to choose a position on the chart and enter it as a waypoint in the GPS. The GPS then shows the distance and bearing from the waypoint, plot this position periodically.
• Check if the chart uses the same datum as the GPS unit (e.g. WGS84) by reading the “Satellite derived positions” section on the chart.  If they differ you will need to adjust GPS positions before plotting them.
• Remember to account or magnetic deviation.

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3 On the Water

3.1 Personal safety

• “One hand for the boat, one hand for you”: always use one hand to keep hold of the boat – especially on the foredeck and in rough weather. If you need two hands for a job, you should use a safety line.
• Safety lines: Know where to find the safety lines. Use them to clip on in rough weather, at night, if working on the foredeck, if on deck alone, if the skipper advises it, if you need both hands for a job, or if you feel ill.
• Tell the skipper if you feel cold or ill.
• Winches: Be extremely careful using winches, the loads on the ropes and winches can be huge. Don’t get your fingers trapped! Ask experienced crew members for advice on using winches.
• Seasickness:
• Take the appropriate tablets if you think you will become seasick.
• On a short trip you are better off on deck. Take plenty of water to avoid dehydration. Clip on if necessary. You will feel better if you have something active to do.
• On a longer trip, if you are tired, go below deck and lie flat on your back. However, you must get below and lie down very quickly, don’t waste time undressing (perhaps get somebody to put plastic bags over your bunk).

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3.2 Collisions

Keep a good lookout at all times (this includes monitoring VHF channel 16, and radar, if fitted) and ensure that the way is clear before performing any manoeuvres.

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3.3 Ship’s log

Update the log every hour if making a passage. (e.g. Glenans Cruising Logbook).

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3.4 Engine checks

Check the engine + fuel level regularly. Turn the greaser every couple of hours when the engine is running.

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3.5 Bilge check

Check the bilge periodically.

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3.6 Gas cooker

Check regularly for fire, and for the smell of gas in case there is a leak or the flame is extinguished. Be very careful of boiling water – especially in rough seas and during manoeuvres. Stack delft and cutlery away straight after use. Do not leave the gas cooker unattended while it is lit.

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3.7 Minimum age levels

By law persons under the age of 12 may not operate or control a craft with an engine rating of more than 5hp (3.7kW).

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3.8 Alcohol/Drugs/Smoking

The master or owner of a pleasure craft must not operate or control or allow another person to operate or control the craft while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Any person on board a pleasure craft must not consume alcohol or drugs in circumstances that could affect the safety of other persons.
Smoking is not permitted below deck due to the fire hazard.

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3.9 Pollution Prevention (MARPOL)

In a nutshell: Don’t throw anything into the sea!
Details:

• It is prohibited to dispose into the sea, any items of plastic, including plastic garbage bags, wrappings, synthetic rope etc.
• The disposal into the sea of the following garbage shall be made as far as practicable from the nearest land but is in any case prohibited if the distance from the nearest land is less than:
  • 25 nautical miles for dunnage, lining and packing materials which will float.
  • 12 nautical miles for food wastes and all other garbage including paper products, rags, glass, metal, bottles, crockery and similar refuse.

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3.10 Anchoring

• Selecting anchor berth: consider tides, shelter (taking account of anticipated wind shifts), seabed composition, swinging room.
• Transits: Use transits to ensure that your anchor is not dragging. Perhaps set a GPS alarm to sound if the boat moves by a set distance.

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3.11 Night sailing

Beware of the risk of hitting (almost invisible) containers at sea. Ensure that all crew on deck use safety lines. Have an emergency plan in place. Using bright lights below deck can ruin the crew’s night vision.

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3.12 Monitoring the weather while cruising

If the barometer shows a drop of more than 4 hPa in 1 hour, there is lots of wind on the way!! A reduction of 2 hPa per hor for at least 3 hours means that a gale is on the way!
Keep monitoring the barometer after a depression passes: a secondary depression may be rapidly approaching – these are often more violent! Warning signs: Cirrus clouds, a halo around the sun or moon and a dip in pressure.

Forecasts on VHF

Irish Coast Guard radio stations make a prior announcement of weather forecasts on Marine VHF Radio channel 16 and then broadcast the forecast on the named relevant VHF Radio working channel. Sea Area Forecasts are broadcast every 3 hours beginning at 0103 local time, i.e. 0103, 0403, 0703, 1003, 1303, 1606, 1903, 2203 local time.
Gale Warning broadcasts are also preceded by an announcement on Marine VHF channel 16. They are broadcast on receipt and are repeated at the next one of the following times: 0033, 0633, 1233 and 1833 local time.

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3.13 Fog

If you must sail in fog:

• Crew on deck must be wearing lifejackets and they must use safety lines.
• Fix your position, keep plotting your estimated position. Also monitor the GPS position.
• Hoist the radar reflector
• Switch on the navigation lights
• Proceed at a safe speed and get several crew to keep a good lookout (including on VHF channel 16 + local port/harbour channels). Also, listen carefully.
• Sound the fog horn every 2 minutes
• Have some flares on deck
• Stay well clear of shipping channels.

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3.14 Abandoning ship

• Make a mayday call
• Only use a liferaft as a last resort – you are safer and it is easier for the rescue services to find you on the boat.
• Ensure that everybody is wearing lifejackets
• Take seasickness tablets and drink as much water as possible
• Take the grab bag
• Inflate the liferaft in the water, on the downwind side, try to get in without getting wet.
• Deploy the sea anchor and close all entrances.
• Post a lookout.

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3.15 Man overboard

See procedures at www.safetyonthewater.ie/upload/general/8790-4.pdf
If a lifejacket is inflated, do not repack t in case somebody thinks that it is safe to use!

Survival times:

• Below 10C: less than 1 hour for 50% of people.
• 10 – 16C: about 6 hours.
• Training such as a Basic Sea Survival Course can help increase your  chances in survival situations such as abandoning ship or man overboard.

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3.16 Strong winds

If running in strong winds (e.g. 40 knots) beware that the apparent wind will mean that you will experience about 33 knots. If you turn to windward and sail at 6 knots the apparent wind will rise to about 46 knots, i.e. the force on the sail will double!
All gear below deck should be secured (in all weather conditions).

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3.17 Rigging a preventer

When running, it is safe practice to rig a “preventer” in order to prevent accidental gybes. This is a line rigged from the cockpit (where it can be quickly released), through a forward cleat and then outside the boat back to the end of the boom.

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3.18 Motoring to/from marina/harbour

Always have the sails ready for use, in case of engine trouble.

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3.19 Raising/lowering and reefing the mainsail

It is safer to be ~ 10 degrees off the wind (rather than head to wind) to stop the boom from swinging from side to side.

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4 After Sailing

4.1 Captain’s log

Update the log.

4.2 Damage/Repairs

Report any damage or required repairs to the maintenance officer.

4.3 Shore Contact

Ensure that you tell the shore contact that you have reached your destination or returned safely!

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5 Information for Skippers

5.1 Ruffian tender

Ensure that the Ruffian tender is in good condition, not overloaded (make several trips if required), contains oars + a bailer, and that all occupants are wearing lifejackets.
A handheld, waterproof VHF radio, mobile phone and whistle should be aboard.
Be aware of wind and tidal conditions.

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5.2 Documents

If you are cruising abroad you should bring your ICC card and ensure that the vessel’s VHF license and insurance certificate are aboard.

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5.3 Man overboard

All skippers must be trained in, and practice man overboard recovery procedures + techniques (e.g. via ISA Yacht Safety course).

Initial actions:

• Shout “Man overboard”, then keep calm!.
• Tell at least one crew member to keep pointing at the person in the water.
• Get a Danbuoy + Lifebuoy in the water immediately. Use the throw-rope/bag.
• Tell a crew member to press the MOB button on the VHF radio and to record the GPS position.

Getting to the MOB:

• Without an engine:
  • Sail away on a beam reach.
  • Tack and sail on the opposite beam reach. Sail downwind of the MOB so that you can approach the MOB on a close reach in order to reduce and control the boat’s speed.
  • Approach on a close reach, easing sheets.
  • Come alongside to windward and make recovery over leeward side.
• Using the engine:
  • Immediately come up to the wind and tack, leaving the headsail cleated (heave-to).
  • Throw a line to person in water.
  • If not within range:
    • Start the engine.
    • Lower the headsail (or let it flap).
    • Sheet the main amidships.
    • Motor to the person in the water, approach head to wind.
    • Come alongside to windward and make recovery over leeward side.

Recovering the MOB:

• Using the Boarding ladder
• The boarding ladder on the Sigma is stored in the cockpit locker.
• Suspend the boarding ladder from a winch over the aft leeward quarter.
• Recover the person over aft leeward quarter.

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5.4 Grounding

• Check the hull, bilges for damage/water ingress (especially around the keel)
• Assess the situation - distress? Urgency ?
• Are you being pushed onto rocks?
• Drop the sails if pushing you on
• Consider dropping the anchor
• Check charts and tide - what is the nature of bottom, is the tide rising of falling?
• Reverse off - deeper water is behind you (monitor the engine - debris may block the cooling system)
• Heel the boat to reduce draft
• Is there a boat in the vicinity to help pull you off ?
• Can you use your tender with an outboard ?
• Can you kedge with anchor?
• If aground on a sloping surface with a falling tide, want the hull to ground on the high side (maybe tie a rope from ground to mast)

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5.5 Engine failure

Judge the situation if you have enough space/sea-room to make a quick check of the engine.

Engine checks

• Is the battery power sufficient to start the engine ? (see below)
• Check fuel, is it empty ? Perhaps the fuel is dirty.
• Fuel lines blocked ?
• Fuel filter blocked ?
• Cooling water inlet, blocked from plastic bag ? 
• Cooling water intake filter blocked ?
• Propeller blocked ?
• Visual check of engine room
• All tubes connected ?
• Is there a leak/ripped tube ?

 Engine will not turn over

Hand starting:

The most likely cause is that the battery is not able to deliver sufficient current to energise the starter motor. Less likely causes would be electrical problem with the circuit between key and solenoid, starter motor itself is faulty or the engine seized.

In this case switch to the other battery and try once, if the engine still won’t turn over switch to both and try again. If the engine still won’t turn over release the cylinder compression by pushing up the lever located at front top of engine on rocker cover. If the engine still won’t turn over the starter motor/ solenoid may be faulty and the engine will have to be turned over by hand to start it. Set the throttle to half.

A starting handle is connected to engine and with compression lever up the engine is turned over as fast as possible by turning the starting handle, when maximum speed is reached flick down the decompression lever and the momentum in the flywheel should be sufficient to compress the air in the cylinders to make the engine fire and start.

 

Engine will turn over but not start

The most likely cause would be problem with fuel. The fuel system consists of a storage tank connected to a low pressure “lift” pump connected to the high pressure injector pump and on to the injectors. Dirt or air in any of the fuel lines will cause starting problems. Dirt from the tank will be caught in a filter on the low pressure line which can be removed and cleaned.

After the filter has been replaced the line will need to be purged of air which can be done with a lever designed for this purpose located near the fuel pump. Problems with dirt in the fuel line are most likely to occur when you want them least, i.e. in heavy weather as this is when the contents of the tank will be agitated most mixing dirt that would normally not move with the diesel.

If the fuel is clean and the low pressure side has no air then you need to check the high pressure side as there may be air in the line between the injector pump and the injector itself. The only way to do this is to open the nut on the injector half a turn and turn over the engine until the air is purged and diesel is sprayed out. Tighten the nut again as the engine is turning over and this should ensure diesel is delivered to the cylinder. Do the same for the other injector on the other cylinder.

If the engine cannot be started

If there is no time as in most of the situations where you use the engine, for example coming back to the marina/mooring:
Anchor, or pick up a mooring, or set sail if there is wind, or get into a tender to bring a long warp to a pontoon or some strong point to keep it off the danger zone, possible use of boathook, call on VHF a nearby boat/coastguard to request a tow.

Batteries, further information

Best practice when using two batteries as on Obsession is to have "Battery 1" exclusively as a starter battery and "Battery 2" as a services battery.
Battery 1 should be a shallow cycle starter battery (supplies a large current for a short time). On Obsession it is a 100AH marine battery.
Battery 2 should be a deep cycle battery (supplies small currents for long periods, for lights, instruments, VHF etc.). It may be depleted to a very low level before being recharged again by the engine alternator. On Obsession it is a 105AH battery.

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5.6 Boat holed - taking in water

First priority is to determine where the water is coming in.
Could put one person working on the bilge pump to get as much water out as possible
Possible alter course e.g. go about, heave to - if that would help stem the flow
If the leak is coming through a skin fitting - then there should be a wooden bung near it - plan is then to remove hoses to get back to pure skin fitting then push in the wooden bung
If leak is some kind of puncture of the hull - the use something to block the hole - this could be a cushion, rubber glove, cloth etc.
If immediate risk of sinking - then put out a mayday on VHF
If a liferaft or tender is available - could start to inflate it of have it ready for launch

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5.7 Dismasting

Dismasting is a pretty dramatic event and usually occurs without warning when boat is under stress.

• Ensure no crew have been knocked overboard.
• Confirm if any crew are injured and establish severity of injury.
• Consider VHF Mayday call if crew injured - Remember that VHF aerial is likely to be damaged and a backup aerial may need to be rigged to allow VHF radio operation.
• Assess damage to the boat in case the hull has been damaged and the boat is taking water.
• Consider VHF Mayday call if boat is badly damaged or in danger.
• Attempt to get all the ropes, shrouds, sails out of the water before starting the engine.
• Use a bolt cutter if necessary to cut away shrouds or stays.
• Start the engine once water is clear of ropes or anything that could foul the propeller
• Access safety of the damaged mast as temporary stays or shrouds may need to be rigged to hold the mast in place.
• If sail area needs to be reduced it may be possible to remove the boom or release out haul and lash the sail to the mast to reduce flapping and putting additional stresses on the damaged mast.

Things to have thought about beforehand

Can you rig a spare aerial in the event the aerial gets broken ?
Bolt cutters should be readily available and its location known to the crew.

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5.8 Heavy Weather

Make sure you know the weather forecast so as to avoid it in the first place if possible. Prepare appropriate sails (reefs, storm jibs etc.).

• Ensure people are using life lines when on deck
• Crew welfare – someone being sick can reduce your number of crew and can become a liability putting pressure on the remaining crew
• Re-think the destination, most especially if there are onshore winds (leeshore)
• Secure all equipment down below
• Have all emergency gear ready
• Use trailing drogues or warps if necessary
• Keep all doors/hatches closed to avoid water going down below

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6 Recommended Training

See www.sailingindublin.ie/MembersOnly/Contact/skills.shtml for recommended raining.

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7 Equipment Maintenance

All keelboats and the tender should receive maintenance checks three times a year (at the start of the summer season, mid-summer season and at the start of the winter season).

Checks should include:

• Hull inspection
• Engine: Have it serviced – including change of oil & oil filter, change sea water pump impeller. Check electrical connections and alternator drive belt tension. Check fuel filters.
• Batteries: Check acid levels.
• Electrics: Lights, radios, GPS, torches, batteries, antennas. Ensure that the log impellor is clear.
• Winches, mast, boom, all rigging (inc. jackstays), sails, sheets.
• Safety equipment liferaft, danbuoy, lifebuoy, radar reflector, boarding ladder, EPIRB, flares, first aid kit, fire extinguishers, fire blanket, fog horn, grab bag
• Tools + spares, anchors, buckets, bilge pumps
• Charts/almanac/pilot books up to date (and keep updating them regularly).
• See the maintenance section in: www.safetyonthewater.ie/upload/general/9650-0.pdf
• Also, use the SIGMA Standard Inspection Form: http://homepage.eircom.net/~bowringdsl/seasafety.htm

• RNLI Sea Check: Ask the RNLI to perform a (free) Sea Check once per year.
• Lifejackets: should be checked at least twice per year
• Inflate by hand pump and leave inflated for 24 hours,
• deflate using the top of the cap, not a pen!,
• check the gas cylinders
• In date,
• fitted correctly (tightly screwed in),
• unused (2 green tabs should be visible on the firing mechanism, also ensure that the top of the gas cylinder has not been pierced by the firing pin),
• not corroded.
• Check the battery light
• If storing lifejackets for the off-season, leave them ~ 15% inflated

Read the RNLI Sea Safety booklet: www.rnli.org.uk/what_we_do/sea_and_beach_safety/sea_safety/sea_safety_home and Caring for your lifejacket: www.rnli.org.uk/who_we_are/press_centre/download_centre?selectSection=142348

Ruffian: The Ruffian class safety officer should be invited to check the Ruffian once per year.

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8 Safety Links

• RNLI (includes excellent booklets to download, such as Sea Safety, Lifejackets etc.): www.rnli.org.uk/what_we_do/sea_and_beach_safety/sea_safety
• Safety on the water (includes excellent brochures to download): www.safetyonthewater.ie
• Irish Sailing Association:
• www.sailing.ie
• ISA safety leaflets: Send the Request Form Rachel Solon, Training Administrator, Training@sailing.ie
• Irish Coast Guard: www.ircg.ie (phone 112 or 999)
• Marine Safety Directorate: www.transport.ie/marine/MaritimeSafetyDirectorate/index.asp?lang=ENG&loc=1933
• The safe operation of recreational craft (Irish Coast Guard booklet) www.safetyonthewater.ie/upload/general/9650-0.pdf
• Marine Casualty Investigation Board (Ireland) www.mcib.ie
• Marine Accident Investigation Branch (Britain) www.maib.gov.uk/home/index.cfm
• Dublin Bay Leisure Craft Guidelines www.dublinport.ie/information-centre/leisure-craft-guidelines/
• Notices to Mariners

These are updated regularly:

• Dun Laoghaire Harbour: www.dlharbour.ie/content/notices/index.php
• Marine safety directorate: www.transport.ie/
• Commissioners of Irish Lights: www.cil.ie
• Irish Ruffian Association Safety Officer: Caoive Collins: caoive.collins@pmg.ie

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9 Contact the Safety Officer

Safety Officer: David S. Byrne
Phone: 086 4094231
Email: dsptbyrne@gmail.com

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any safety related questions or comments.

I would also appreciate any comments or suggested improvements regarding the safety information provided on this website.

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Sailing In Dublin Club email info@sailingindublin.ie
Membership inquiries please contact SID Membership Secretary 087-9360-994