Flag Name &

List A Phonetic
CKLIST Pronunciation Meaning
SAFETY BRIEFING CHE of a cruise, I cover the
during the first few days Morse and ph
ed, may seem a lot, but
sive list of things to be cover onetics
This is a fairly comprehen
following:

₋
Initia lly Alfa
Outline of passage plan I have a diver
up points down;
Lifejacket fitting and hook keep well clear
er works AL-fah at slow speed.
Gas drills and how cook
One hand for yours elf,
Flares, location and how
one hand for the boat – always.
and when to use
●      A - LA RM  
How to use the heads
ing procedures
Engine starting and stopp
to use the radio
Basic instructions on how
and when and how to use them
Fire extinguish ers
y
inlet, cockp it drains, galle

₋
Priority 2 cover ed durin
g the first day or as requi
red:
Only ones to be left on perm
anently at sea are engine Bravo
d off unless being used. I am taking in, Form F
All seaco cks to be turne the Solen t, or simil ar
discharging, or
pump outlet. in unrestricted water s. In
outlet and electr ic bilge once clear of harbour and BRAH-voh carrying danger
horizon every ten minu tes ous cargo.
Lookout - 360º sweep of d.

Forms for planning₋ ₋

ested wate rs, a const ant watch is to be maintaine equip ment and to prevent it.
on any
●  ●  ●  BAR- NEY-DID-
cong
e of the need to notice chafe
All on watch to be awar
Be awar e of the boom (s). ward side.
on the wind IT
s move around the boat
When under sail, alway
All to know :
alert.
a. How to send a distre ss
et.
Charlie "Yes" or "affirm
b. How to use the fire blank horseshoe buoys, EPIRB) ative".
equipment (e.g. danbuoy,
c. How to operate safety
d. Location of first aid kit. leeway, weath er signs, CHAR-lee
check , cours e steer ed, distan ce run,
tenan ce. Hourly
e. Navigational log main

and making a passage

bilge , battery state, GPS position.
●  
barometric tende ncy,
f. Sail controls
g. Action on man overb
oard
● CAR -MEN -CART-IT
)
g seasick when just boiling a kettle
h. Action on someone feelin conditions (this means even
be worn when cooking at sea in rough
i. Oilsk ins to

₋
Delta
or earlier as required: I am maneuver
Priority 3 cover ed later sail trim ing with diffic
handling and windlass, ulty;
a. Use of winches, sheet DELL-tah keep clear.
b. How to deplo y liferaft.
overb oard recov ery gear.
c. How to deploy man
d. How to operate emer
e. How to drop and weig
gency fuel cut offs.
h anchor. ●  ● DON’T -DO-IT
nts of grab bag Echo
f. Location and conte
g. Bilge pump(s) may well be the
h. Policy on intern al lights
i. Hook on at night, when
skipper feeling unco mfor
at night.
going forward, when secon
table abou t the crew .
d reef goes in, or anyone

off the electr ics? Be famil

iar with the switc
Subject
feels unco mfortable; this
h/fus e pane l.
ECK-oh
I am altering my
course to starbo
ard.
 
●  ET (ATE) Page
e is the main switch to turn
j. Battery policy, wher ol procedures in the even t of:
ge contr
k. All to understand dama

Safety briefing Fchecklist 2

/heater fires
Electrical, engine or stove

₋
Gas alarm going off oxtrot
Collision drills
I am disabled;
communicate wi
l. Lifeboat or helicopter
drills.
FOKS-trot th me.
being towed
m. Action on towing or
from to dinghy

Passage planning checklist ●FIT-FOR-MARK3-ET

rking
●  ●
n. Emb arking/dis emba

Skipper to know: ic.

aker, or is an anaphylact
a medical cond ition, pacem
If anyone has allergies, needs
speci al dietary
If anyone has any

₋₋
If anyone cannot swim
If anyone is colour blind
For newcomers I talk throu
gh: Secondary portG calculations GOLF
olf
I require a pilot. 4
Seasickness
Rough weather
if unsure.
Terminology. Always ask
The heads. If you have
a problem, ask me to help
out.
Astro navigation ●    GAR-AGE-IT 5
H otel
I have a pilot on
●●●●    HIP-HIP-HIP-
As described by Flags and Morse
hoh-TELL board.
HIP
6-8
Sticky Stapylton
Rise and fall of tide 9
in Practical Boat
Owner, October 2013 Heavy weather 10
and December 2012 Preparation for fog 11
Weather forecast terms 12
Navigation log 13
Douglas Scale wave heights 14
Pilotage plan example 15
Variation and deviation 16
About the author
Sticky Stapylton has a Victualling 17
Yachtmaster Ocean
ticket, runs Arrow Yacht
Enterprises and is an RYA Tidal rate interpolation 18
Yachtmaster Instructor.
During his long career he has sailed most
seas and oceans of the world. Watch roster 19
n For more details you can email Sticky
direct at instructor@sail-help.co.uk or via
his website, www.sail-help.co.uk Mayday procedure 20
SAFETY BRIEFING CHECKLIST List A

This is a fairly comprehensive list of things to be covered, may seem a lot, but during the first few days of a cruise, I cover the
following:

Initially
Outline of passage plan
Lifejacket fitting and hook up points
Gas drills and how cooker works
One hand for yourself, one hand for the boat – always.
Flares, location and how and when to use
How to use the heads
Engine starting and stopping procedures
Basic instructions on how to use the radio
Fire extinguishers and when and how to use them

Priority 2 covered during the first day or as required:

All seacocks to be turned off unless being used. Only ones to be left on permanently at sea are engine inlet, cockpit drains, galley
outlet and electric bilge pump outlet.
Lookout - 360º sweep of horizon every ten minutes once clear of harbour and in unrestricted waters. In the Solent, or similar
congested waters, a constant watch is to be maintained.
All on watch to be aware of the need to notice chafe on any equipment and to prevent it.
Be aware of the boom(s).
When under sail, always move around the boat on the windward side.
All to know:
a. How to send a distress alert.
b. How to use the fire blanket.
c. How to operate safety equipment (e.g. danbuoy, horseshoe buoys, EPIRB)
d. Location of first aid kit.
e. Navigational log maintenance. Hourly check, course steered, distance run, leeway, weather signs,
barometric tendency, bilge, battery state, GPS position.
f. Sail controls
g. Action on man overboard
h. Action on someone feeling seasick
i. Oilskins to be worn when cooking at sea in rough conditions (this means even when just boiling a kettle)

Priority 3 covered later or earlier as required:

a. Use of winches, sheet handling and windlass, sail trim
b. How to deploy liferaft.
c. How to deploy man overboard recovery gear.
d. How to operate emergency fuel cut offs.
e. How to drop and weigh anchor.
f. Location and contents of grab bag
g. Bilge pump(s)
h. Policy on internal lights at night.
i. Hook on at night, when going forward, when second reef goes in, or anyone feels uncomfortable; this may well be the
skipper feeling uncomfortable about the crew.
j. Battery policy, where is the main switch to turn off the electrics? Be familiar with the switch/fuse panel.
k. All to understand damage control procedures in the event of:
Electrical, engine or stove/heater fires
Gas alarm going off
Collision drills
l. Lifeboat or helicopter drills.
m. Action on towing or being towed
n. Embarking/disembarking from to dinghy

Skipper to know:
If anyone has allergies, a medical condition, pacemaker, or is an anaphylactic.
If anyone has any special dietary needs
If anyone cannot swim
If anyone is colour blind
For newcomers I talk through:
Seasickness
Rough weather
Terminology. Always ask if unsure.
The heads. If you have a problem, ask me to help out.
PASSAGE PLAN CHECK LIST LIST B

CHARTS & PUBLICATIONS

Get charts in order of use; mark up tidal stream atlases
Are their sufficient charts to back up electronic systems?
Do we have a pilot book to cover ports/anchorages?
Are charts up to date and corrected?

OVERALL PLAN
Dates
Crew capabilities
Boat capabilities
Look at passage on a small scale chart. Inshore passages, departure and arrival pilotage on large scale charts
Identify best route to make use of tidal streams and available navigation aids
Note shipping lanes and traffic separation schemes
Note sunrise and sunset times and hours of daylight.
Tides: Range: Springs or Neaps or interpolate? Best route identified to make best use of fair tides and avoiding foul tides. Tidal
gates checked. ETAs at critical points noted. Tidal heights at departure/destination checked. Tidal graphs prepared.

DETAILED PLAN
Weather pattern established leading up to planned passage departure time. Latest forecast taken. Note made of all available
sources of weather during passage. Navtex programmed
Pilotage plans prepared for departure and arrival ports/anchorages and refuges
Open sea passages
Draw courses to be made good and measure distances. Will weather allow courses to be made good?
Work out speed and time; assess minimum speed to get to critical points on time.
Dangers to be avoided and distances off. (rocks, shoals, wrecks, overfalls, firing ranges, overhead limitations). Clearing bearings.
If practicable work out first leg course to steer
Refuges
Consider lee-bowing the tide, tacking up cones, making tack
Waypoints. Cross check ranges and bearings between waypoints in GPS and on chart.
Prepare watch rota, skipper to work out when he needs to be on deck for sure (departure and arrival pilotage, passing close to
dangers, crossing traffic separation scheme or traffic lanes, sighting of first lights on destination coast)
Check victuals, prepare evening meal and eat if possible, consider night watch snacks. Is water tank full?
Fuel for engine and cooker
Check all safety equipment
Passage plan lodged with coastguard if necessary
Paperwork: Passports, E111C, ship’s papers, insurance certificates, ICC, foreign currency
Crew briefing, mate to be able to conduct pilotage plans.

PASSAGE PLAN FINAL CHECK POINTS:

Check on chart that the ground track is clear of hazards
Make use of all marks to help you with your navigation, use churches, lighthouses, radio masts and headlands.
Try to keep clear of traffic lanes.
Annotate the chart with the courses and distances. Later on you will have to work out the correct course to steer for each
leg.
Think tides and the need to adjust for BST
Work out the range of tide for the day so that you can quickly interpolate tidal strengths.
Mark up the tidal graph for a local port so that you can quickly reduce to soundings a tidal height or depth.
Draw up a list of waypoints and enter them into the GPS.
Form F

 
PREPARATION FOR HEAVY WEATHER List L.
This may mean a Force 5 for a small family cruiser with inexperienced crew or a Force 8 for a well
found large yacht and a strong experienced crew.

1. Obtain full weather forecast and be aware of weather changes pending and possibility of crossed seas
from large wind shifts.
2. Plan passage so that ports of refuge are not on lee shores and away from tidal races, wind over tide
situations and areas near shoals where the waves are refracted.
3. Issue sea sickness pills.
4. Ensure batteries are fully charged.
5. Remove mainsail, and stow in bag below decks, secure boom to deck, (a rod kicker may need some
working round), set up forestay for storm jib, if appropriate. Rig trysail, I keep this in a bag secured to the
base of the mast until needed.
6. Remove dodgers, fold or remove sprayhood.
7. Check all portlights, scuttles are fully closed. Fit or have ready ventilator covers. Attach hatchway and
window storm screens. Fit dorade blank covers. Block hawsepipe with cork or plasticine.
8. Prepare in position any drag devices (sea anchor or warps) and associated gear as it may be difficult and
dangerous to open cockpit lockers during storm.
9. Close all seacocks, pump heads through. Place a sign by engine starter button to say that engine inlet
seacock is closed.
10. Plot position and, if a survival situation is anticipated, report position and intentions to Coastguard if
within range. Keep a towel by the chart table to help keep charts dry. Continue to log the barometer reading
regularly.
11. Check security of all gear below, particularly heavy items such as tool kits and batteries.
12. Put on appropriate heavy weather clothing.
13. Check grab bag is ready. Pack spare clothing, bedding, lavatory paper, food, water, hand held VHF,
spare flares, 1st Aid kit, TPAs and any other important items in heavy duty polythene bags if not already in
grab bag.
14. Pump bilges. Check handles are secured close to pump with a lanyard.
15. Put washboards into position, check security lanyards. Consider rigging a rope lattice within cockpit.
16. Check security of all lockers and drawers down below. Tape up all lockers without positive locking
arrangements
17. Check cockpit and anchor well drains are free. Use, if necessary, dinghy pump to blow debris clear.
18. Check all deck gear is secure, particularly: anchor, spinnaker pole, liferaft, winch handles, man overboard
recovery gear. Check floating lights work.
19. Check halyards are free and well secured. Frap or secure all spare halyards.
20. Check navigation lights, hoist radar reflector if not permanently fixed. Check VHF, jackstays.
21. Stow inflatable dinghy below.
22. Consider changing gas cylinder and changing torch batteries where necessary.
23. Make up sandwiches and thermos of hot drinks.
24. Give everyone a good meal.
25 Secure all loose items below.
26. Position bagged sails to provide soft landing for crew.
27. All to know where grab bags, sharp knife are located, remind of need for good look out and knowledge of
MAYDAY procedures.
28. Check location of rigging cutters, check lanyard is secure.
29. Establish watch system, if not already operating. No more than 2 hours on watch, depending on weather.
Off duty watch to get as much rest as possible, warm waterproof clothing close to hand.
30. Check linkage on wheel steering, if wheel fitted.
31. Complete engine check.
32. Brief everyone
IF IN DOUBT DO NOT PUT TO SEA
ACTION ON FOG List M

All crew on deck.

Lifejackets should be on and harness strops should be hooked on, in my view.
Slow down, get a fix on the chart and review the navigational plan, be aware especially of TSS and shipping lanes. If close to the
TSS, you should consider remaining in the separation zone in between two lanes. Bear in mind that Rule 10 of the Collision
Regulations states “a vessel should, so far as is practicable, keep clear of a separation line or separation zone”.
If it is possible head for shallow water, and if needs be, anchor.
Just be aware that if you are heading for a GPS way point, somebody else may be heading for it coming in the opposite direction
to you. Sensible to choose your own waypoints with a guard zone around them to warn you when you are near.
Communicate on Channel 16 or 13 with an all stations call, giving your position, course and speed. Indicate any other intentions
you may have.
If your radar reflector is not hoisted, do so immediately.
If you have a radar, this must be on and manned the whole time.
Liferaft and tender should be made ready. Your grab bag should be on deck and checked over.
Ready your horseshoe buoys and danbuoy and any other man overboard marking/recovery gear.
Flares and torches to hand.
If under sail, sound Morse D ▬●● once every two minutes, but do not expect large commercial vessels to hear you, the officer of
the watch will probably be inside his bridge house, glued to the radar; he will not hear you, but other sailing vessels might well do
so.
If under sail, your engine should be ready for a quick start.
If under power, sound more T ▬ once every two minutes. You should stop your engine at regular intervals and listen for other
vessels
Post look outs at bow, on port and starboard and in the stern, if you have enough crew. Give each member an arc to observe and
listen.
Turn on masthead lights, bear in mind sea fog is sometimes only about 12m deep and large vessels with their bridges high up, may
see your masthead light.
If you have an autopilot, consider motor-sailing and using this equipment. It will steer a far steadier course than any human being,
thus presenting a steady target to radar operators and freeing up the helm to watch the boat’s radar or act as lookout.
Weather Forecast Terms Form K

Visibility
Fog Visibility less than 1000m
Poor Visibility 1000m to 2M
Moderate Visibility 2 – 5M
Good Visibility 5M plus
Sea State
Smooth Wave height less than 0.5m
Slight Wave height of 0.5m to 1.25m
Moderate Wave height of 1.25m to 2.5m
Rough Wave height of 2.5m to 4m
Very rough Wave height of 4m to 6m
High Wave height of 6m to 9m
Very high Wave height of 9m to 14m
Phenomenal Wave height more than 14m
Pressure Change
Steady Change less than 0.1 hPa in 3 hours
Slowly Change less than 0.1 to 1.5 hPa in 3 hours
Rising/Falling Change of 1.5 to 3.5 hPa in 3 hours
Quickly Change of 3.6 to 6 hPa in 3 hours
Very rapidly Change of more than 6 hPa in 3 hours
Now…. Changed direction in last 3 hours
Synoptic Movement
Slowly Moving at less than 15kns
Steadily Moving at 15 to 25 kns
Rather quickly Moving at 25 to 35 kns
Rapidly Moving at 35 to 45 kns
Weather Arrival
Imminent Within the next 6 hours
Soon Within the next 6 to 12 hours
Later After 12 hours