Most common sea emergencies
Unexpected emergencies happen fast. Being ready could save you
Person overboard
A person overboard situation occurs when someone falls from a boat or ship into the water. This can happen due to various reasons such as accidents, rough seas, or unexpected movements of the vessel. When a person goes overboard, it becomes a critical emergency requiring immediate action to ensure the individual's safety and rescue. Time is of the essence in such situations as exposure to cold water and the risk of drowning are significant concerns.
In case of a person overboard situation, clearly shout "Man overboard" to alert everyone on board; throw any available flotation device to aid the person in the water and mark their position; carefully monitor the person in the water, continuously pointing at them and recording their position if possible; and immediately stop the boat to minimize the distance between the person and the vessel. Be mindful that turning the boat could pose a risk, so ensure the stern is turned away from the person to avoid injury from the propeller.
Drowning
Confidence in swimming can sometimes be dangerous. It's important to swim only when others are nearby to provide help if needed. Even strong swimmers can face accidents that quickly become lifethreatening without assistance. Always ensure a lifeguard is on duty before entering the water. If a swimmer has a medical condition, such as seizures, constant supervision, and appropriate safety gear are crucial. Those at risk of sudden inability to swim should wear a lifejacket in large bodies of water. Children benefit greatly from swimming lessons, reducing their drowning risk, but supervision should never be reduced based on their swimming ability. Always keep a close eye on children, regardless of their skill level.
Police are cautioning people who go out to sea to pay attention to weather alerts, particularly during this season when conditions can quickly become hazardous. Ignoring these alerts raises the risk of accidents and drowning, especially for weak swimmers or those who underestimate the dangers.
Capsize
Capsizes are common boating accidents often resulting in fatalities, occurring unexpectedly and rapidly. Victims have limited time to access nearby items, with many succumbing before help arrives, especially fishermen. It's crucial to keep lifejackets easily accessible, or better yet, wear them. Understanding how your boat will behave in water is essential, as it affects equipment retrieval. In case of water ingress, ensure everyone wears a lifejacket, locate and stem the leak, make a distress call, and head towards shallower waters while bailing out water. Stay with the boat if it submerges or overturns, increasing the chances of rescue.
Ultraviolet radiation
Ultraviolet radiation peaks between 11 am and
3 pm during Daylight Saving Time. Boaters are at heightened risk due to reflected radiation from the water. Prevention is vital, with clothing offering the best protection. Cover exposed areas with a wide-brimmed hat, and long-sleeved shirt, and apply sunscreen with SPF 30+ or higher, broad spectrum, and waterresistant properties. Apply sunscreen 20 minutes before exposure and reapply every two hours.
Hypothermia
Hypothermia occurs when in water, leading to unconsciousness and potential drowning. Wearing a life jacket can prevent submersion and offer some defence against hypothermia while conserving energy. Despite feeling warmer when treading water, it's a deceptive sensation; energy should be conserved for warmth maintenance rather than movement. Heat loss is faster in water than in air of the same temperature. If in the water with floating objects like an upturned jet ski or boat, raise as much of your torso out of the water as possible and gather in a 'huddle' position with others for body heat conservation and support.