SAFETY
Safety is essential, but sailing shouldn’t be a list of dos and don’ts, says Olly Perkins. ‘Have only a few rules, but emphasise their importance.’
‘Rules were an integral part of our liveaboard lifestyle,’ says Erin Carey. ‘When you are above deck underway, you are tethered with a self-inflating lifejacket, no matter what. When we were anchored, they were not allowed on deck without a buddy, and never before we were out of bed.’
Everyone agreed that either lifejackets or harnesses are necessary underway, and when the boat is stopped and children are on deck or on the pontoon, that a flotation device is absolutely essential.
‘Ella initially wore a lifejacket,’ says Graham Snook, ‘but it was bulky and uncomfortable. Below decks, she’d take it off, but then change her mind and want to come back up on deck. It was much easier for her to wear a harness that was comfortable enough to wear all day.’
A FEW BASIC RULES:
■ Lifejackets or harnesses to be worn whenever underway, and lifejackets to be donned on the pontoon.
■ Keep hands clear of winches.
■ One hand for the boat and one for yourself.
■ When sleeping at night the children have to tell us if they’re going up on deck alone.
■ Take care getting in and out of the dinghy
■ Bottoms-first going down into the cabin.
SKILLS TO LEARN
‘I’ve taken time to show Ella how to use the VHF radio,’ says Graham Snook. ‘I test her on how she’d react if anything happened.’
Practising drills is important, says Abi. ‘We practise man-overboard drills, where everyone has a role. Our youngest focuses on pointing at the casualty. Our eldest presses the DSC button and places the Mayday call on the radio. Early in the season we try to get them to practise floating in their lifejackets, so that they understand how it works. Doing this in a swimming pool is fun.’
Going to the toilet underway can be an issue, says Hamish. ‘Make going in a bucket in the cockpit whilst at sea normal. It’s easier and safer and you can help them easily without going below yourself. Children can also become dehydrated quickly, which makes them more clumsy, grumpy and can make them more susceptible to seasickness, so keep them hydrated.’