2.7.7 Personal flotation devices and rescue equipment

All of personal flotation devices (to put on and launch) used on the yacht must be approved by the applicable regulatory authorities.

In the US the Federal Government, through the Coast Guard, it specifies the characteristics necessary for personal flotation devices and safety equipment which must be on board pleasure yachts.

Do not hesitate to request that persons wear personal flotation devices. You can wear them in all weather conditions, at sea, in the shore or at anchor.

People can fall from the yacht at any time.

• Those who can not swim and children must always wear a personal flotation device.
• People who work on deck should always wear a personal flotation device.
• Wear personal flotation devices in indoor when navigating in cold water (lower water temperature at 20 ° C / 68 ° F).
• In an emergency, passengers must wear personal flotation devices.

Personal flotation devices of inflatable are easy to wear and some types inflate automatically if you fall overboard. These personal flotation devices have excellent safety equipment to be kept on board for yourself and for your guests. Hold on board inflatable life jackets or inflatable life jackets “belted” for you and your guests.

Make sure that the personal flotation devices are approved by the appropriate national or international regulatory bodies.

CAUTION

Check the efficiency of personal flotation devices at least once a year and before any trip.

CAUTION

Children and people who can not swim should always wear personal flotation devices when they are on board. If a personal flotation device is not worn, it becomes useless in an emergency. The law requires that personal flotation devices are always accessible means outside of storage containers and unhooked.

WARNING

Before any trip check that there are no impediments to its immediate use.

CAUTION

The life raft has a limited validity in time, check its expiry on the certificate. The raft is overhauled by an accredited body that extends their validity. Is there a penalty for non-compliance with this rule. 

Personal flotation devices of individual
For all persons on board must be a personal flotation device. Children should wear a device just for them. The commander must ensure that the people on board know the storage position of its individual flotation device, they know how to wear it and stop to the body.

They need to know where the whistle and / or light and how light it.

Personal flotation devices launch-able
This category includes lifesaver ring, horseshoe buoy horse and pillows.

The captain shall ensure that passengers’ awareness:

• The location of the ring;
• How and where to launch a lifesaver;
• What to do in case of “man overboard”.

The owners and the captains of the yachts must regularly carry out exercises of “man overboard” so that the people on board familiarization procedures to save a person who falls into the sea.

• At least 1 time per month:
  • Check the attachment of the floating rope;
  • Check the charge status of the batteries of the light buoy.
• At least once every six months to check the status of the floating rope
  

DANGER

All persons on board must know the location where the rafts rescue and proper operating procedures are pinned.

DANGER

With very high waves and strong winds there is a danger that the raft can be mirrored, move the weight of the people on board on the side that tends to get up.
If the raft, despite everything, you flip, straighten it and get back on board.