All useful tips for safe navigation
When preparing to buy or rent a boat, it is crucial to keep in mind a number of useful tips to ensure safe and enjoyable sailing during sea adventures. Whether it is an inflatable boat or a yacht, boating offers a unique experience, but it is essential to be aware of the necessary rules and precautions.
First of all, make sure you have all the mandatory safety equipment, checking that it is up-to-date and efficient. It is essential to check the functionality of navigation equipment, especially radio communication equipment, and to stay up-to-date on the marine weather forecast for the sailing area.
During the trip, it is important to operate at a speed that allows you to manoeuvre safely and stop the boat in a timely manner, especially considering visibility conditions and surrounding traffic. By maintaining an appropriate speed, you facilitate not only your own navigation, but also that of other vessels in the vicinity.
Finally, it is useful to know some essential sound signals for communicating with other vessels and the port of arrival:
- One short sound indicates the intention to pull over “starboard”.
- Two short sounds indicate the intention to pull to port.
- Three short sounds indicate the intention to go backwards.
- Five short sounds indicate incomprehension of the other vessel’s manoeuvre.
