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Coastguard warns boat owners to obey safety rules

Jack Silver
BBC News, Guernsey
BBC A modern white boat tied up on a sandy beach.BBC
The coastguard said boat owners should "prepare, provide and perform"

Boat owners in Guernsey have been warned to follow safety rules before heading to sea by the island's coastguard service.

Guernsey Coastguard said boat owners should follow the "Three Ps of sea safety" - prepare before leaving the harbour, provide the right equipment and perform responsibly at sea.

James Way, acting harbour master, said following the rules would "reduce the risk of getting into difficulty, but also improve their chances of rescue if something does go wrong".

He said: "Whether you are heading out for a day's fishing, sailing, or simply enjoying our beautiful coastline, it's vital to plan ahead" as "longer days and warmer weather" meant more people would use the sea.

What are the Three Ps?

The coastguard said the Three Ps people needed to follow were:

PREPARE

Before leaving the harbour, prepare in the following way:

  • Make a plan and tell someone ashore what you are doing and when you will be back
  • Check your boat thoroughly including fuel, engines, rigging, hull, electronics, bilge pumps, and gas systems (if fitted)
  • Ensure your navigation lights and instruments are working correctly.
  • Review up-to-date weather forecasts, tide times, and tidal flows for your intended age
  • Know how to make a distress call and who to in an emergency
  • Check the latest Navigation Warnings and Local Notices to Mariners at http://harbours.gg/warnings, social media, or by listening to the Maritime Safety Information broadcast every 4 hours on VHF Channel 16/20

PROVIDE

Make sure you provide the right equipment on board:

  • Serviced lifejackets for everyone aboard
  • A reliable marine VHF radio (not just a mobile phone)
  • Emergency flares - in-date and safely stored
  • Fire extinguishers, kill cord, EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon) or PLB (Personal Locator Beacon)
  • Navigation equipment - updated electronic or paper charts

PERFORM

Perform responsibly on the water:

  • Look after your engers and crew - practice emergency procedures including person in the water recovery and making distress calls
  • Respect harbour and bay speed limits and other rules
  • Be mindful of your wake and considerate of other vessels and water s, particularly in the bays

The coastguard said people should "never mix boating with alcohol or drugs, whether legal or otherwise".

It said people going to sea to regularly should refresh their knowledge of safe boating practices and emergency procedures.

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