Seamanship guidance

This page includes important seamanship advice, safety reminders, and yacht-specific guidance, curated by Tops’l Director Steve Leniston. All members are encouraged to review and apply this information to stay safe and competent on the water.

Water safety and lifejackets

The RNLI says it best: lifejackets are useless unless worn. Tops’l lifejackets are automatic for all crew members. Know how to use yours, especially how to check the gas bottle and inflate it manually.

When sailing in colder months, be aware that sea temperatures are lowest in spring, right when many of us take our first trip out. Cold water shock can kill. Not falling in is your best defence, so use your harness and tether where appropriate.

If you do fall in, wearing the crotch strap greatly improves your chance of staying afloat. Skippers should ensure the emergency sling is understood by the crew, and always nominate a second in command.

More on Lifesling use and recovery procedures can be found in our Safety guidance.

From Portsmouth QHM, Local Notice to Mariners (LNTM 8/12):
While not a legal requirement for certain types of small private recreational craft; the habit of routinely wearing both appropriate (for size and hazard) and suitably tested lifejackets cannot be emphasised sufficiently as a minimum precaution to such exposed personnel (especially children). This characteristic alone can dramatically increase both survival and rescue probability. The Volunteer Harbour Patrol (VHP) in Portsmouth will additionally remind such mariners of the importance of this procedure whenever possible.

Chart accuracy and updates

All yacht charts are accurate at the start of the season – but they are only as good as their last update. Skippers should always check for recent changes.

Chartplotters on board are generally more reliable thanks to regular software updates. However, there’s currently no single unified source for chart corrections, so use multiple sources and stay informed.

Update your charts here:

• Admiralty Leisure Notices to Mariners
• Imray Chart Corrections

Engine cooling seacock: know the signs

When starting the engine, check that water is flowing from the exhaust, not just spitting. A steady flow is critical to proper cooling. That first splash from the muffler is not enough.

Skipper authorisation and cruises

Skippers are authorised under one of two levels:

Offshore/unrestricted skippers

May cruise anywhere within the insured area (typically Brest to the Elbe), and beyond if the Board approves.

Local skippers

Restricted to sailing in sight of land and benign waters, away from shipping channels and hazardous areas. For example, the Channel Islands and North Brittany coast are usually not permitted. A list of restricted areas will be kept up to date on the website.

Want to upgrade to offshore?

If you’re a Local Skipper planning to join an Offshore cruise, make your booking as if already qualified, but ensure you complete your upgrade in time. Requirements include:

1. Local Skipper authorisation
2. 20 days aboard as active crew
3. 400 nautical miles in tidal waters
4. 12 hours of night sailing
5. One cross-channel or equivalent passage as acting skipper with mentor
6. Completion of Offshore syllabus

VHF radio and DSC distress calling

The DSC Emergency Button only sends Distress Alerts, not Urgency Alerts.

Know the difference:

• Mayday: Life-threatening emergencies (e.g. sinking, serious injury)
• Pan-Pan: Urgent, but not immediately life-threatening (e.g. dismasting)

Check each yacht’s radio checklist for instructions, as sets vary. Practise making a DSC call before you find yourself needing it on a stormy night.

You’ll find full Mayday and Pan-Pan message formats – including what to say and how to transmit them – on our Safety page.

Radio medical advice (UK Waters)

Contact HM Coastguard via:

• VHF DSC
• VHF Channel 16
• MF DSC
• INMARSAT

The Coastguard will connect you with a doctor via landline. Be ready to provide:

1. Vessel name and type
2. Patient details (name, sex, nationality, age, medical history)
3. Symptoms/injury
4. Position (latitude and longitude)
5. Other relevant information

The doctor may recommend onboard treatment, returning to port, or medical evacuation. Only the doctor can authorise a MEDEVAC.

For vessels abroad, refer to your almanac or use INMARSAT code 32 for medical advice.

Using MMSI and DSC

Many sailors do not use the full potential of DSC calling. All Tops’l yachts have:

• Solent Coastguard programmed into the MMSI directory
• Other Tops’l yachts listed for direct calling

Try using DSC to call another club yacht next time you are out. Practise reading the radio screen, navigating the menus, and sending a non-distress call. You won’t transmit anything unless you confirm.

See the Safety page for more on DSC formats and emergency usage.

Yacht-specific tips

Carina

• Make sure when to take over/pass the helm over that you remind the helmsman of the keel position. She doesn’t manoeuvre well in tight spaces with the keel fully up.
• Bow thruster: this must be powered on via button before use (red light on). Remember to power off manually after use as there is no auto-off.
• Test the bow thruster before casting off, and again before entering the lock or pontoon area.

Elfida

• Tips to be added.

Jocalia

• Throttle lever: the Neutral position is not vertical on the quadrant; take a moment to get this in mind before you find yourself moving off inadvertently.
• Reefing is done at the mast. Always use your harness/tether.
• More safety resources

This page focuses on seamanship skills, radio use, yacht handling, and skipper authorisation. For emergency procedures, equipment guidance, and downloadable pdfs, visit our Safety page.

Thanks for reading and sailing safely.

Steve Leniston
Tops’l Director for Skills and Charts