Every yacht delivery, no matter the size or distance, must carry fundamental safety equipment. The minimum essentials specified by Oceantrax include:
In date liferaft, suitable for the passage and the number of crew onboard. If there is not one onboard Oceantrax can often organise one for the duration of the trip.
In date flares, available as either coastal or ocean packs, ensure you have the correct pack for the delivery.
Fire extinguishers.
Lifejackets.
It's obvious that lifejackets and harnesses should always be present onboard. Even though vessels under 13.7 meters (approximately 45 feet) aren't legally required to have them, it's simply sensible. At Oceantrax, we view these as essential personal safety gear and always bring our own. After all, your life depends on this equipment, so it's wise to use gear you're familiar with. Additionally, we suggest using a lifejacket equipped with an AIS unit and strobe light for M.O.B. situations.
Fire extinguishers, once again on a vessel less than 13.7 metres there is no legal requirement however fire at sea has to be one of the biggest fears of any sailor so fire extinguishers and fire blanket should be an essential for any yacht regardless of size.
Also ensure you are aware of the extinguisher access to the engine room.
Beyond these essentials, the requirements largely depend on the delivery's duration and the area being covered.
Each year, Oceantrax conducts deliveries that vary from brief trips between marinas in the Solent to Transatlantic crossings, with safety needs differing accordingly. So, what additional equipment should be considered for an extended journey?
Below we have outlined some of the essential equipment a delivery skipper should possess or that can be conveniently provided/installed for a delivery. This list is not exhaustive, and there are numerous additional items that could be included. However, many of these items require professional installation on a yacht, involving wiring or plumbing.
Most yachts are equipped with a grab bag, but delivery crews frequently assemble an additional grab bag containing their personal belongings.
A basic first aid kit should always be available onboard. While you won't be performing open-heart surgery at sea, the kit should be sufficient to handle burns, impact injuries, and provide medication for pain and sea sickness.
Soft wood bungs are crucial in case a through-hull fitting fails. Make sure to have a variety of sizes on hand that match the fittings on the vessel.
A safety knife should be kept in a location that is easy and quick to access. It's crucial for situations where someone gets caught in a line, a trapped line needs to be swiftly cut, or a line is obstructing the propeller. If there isn't one on board, one of the cheapest and effective solutions we've discovered is a kitchen bread knife. It's inexpensive, cuts through lines quickly and easily, and if it accidentally falls overboard, it's not a significant loss.
Torches are absolutely essential. While sailing at night, there will inevitably be moments when additional light is needed. A head torch with a red light option is a wise choice.
Jackstays provide safety when leaving the cockpit area in rough weather, ensuring crew members remain connected to the vessel if a heavy sea causes them to lose balance. At night, jackstays offer reassurance by keeping the crew securely attached to the vessel.
Recovering a person overboard depends on the vessel type. Some vessels feature swim platforms with boarding ladders for easy recovery, while others have high sides and need a specific system to retrieve a crew member.
Regardless of the vessel type, having an agreed-upon plan among the crew is crucial along with the equipment required.
A horseshoe buoy equipped with a light is crucial; in the unfortunate event of losing a crew member overboard, throwing them a horseshoe buoy can provide additional buoyancy, which can be particularly beneficial in rough seas.
Dan buoy, this is a pole with a flag used in emergencies to mark the location of a man overboard incident. It helps in locating the person more easily, particularly in rough seas. The pole is equipped with a flag on top, a built-in float for buoyancy, and a weight at the bottom to ensure it remains upright in the water.
Throw bag or throwing line, designed for rapid use in man overboard (MOB) scenarios. These contain a straightforward coiled line within a bag featuring a handle at one end. If unavailable, a floating rope can be utilized as an alternative. Note, floating line is essential to reduce the risk of fouling your prop.
For an ocean crossing, a satellite phone is essential to establish communication in case of an emergency, to access weather reports, or to provide progress updates. The three primary systems used are:
Iridium, offers true global coverage, including polar regions.
Inmarsat, provides near-global coverage, excluding polar areas.
Thuraya, covers Europe, Africa, Asia, and parts of South America and Australia.
For more details of safety regulations at sea the U.K government website is a valuable source of information.