Implementing an Offshore Safety and Preparedness Plan

By Chuck Hawley & Sally Lindsay Honey

Here are some items to consider when creating and implementing an offshore safety and preparedness plan:

1. Start with a safety ethos for the event
2. Implement pre-departure training
3. Select an equipment list
4. Identify skipper/crew/yacht qualifications, if any
5. Pre-departure inspections – make them useful
6. Communication plan appropriate for the event
7. Emergency Action Plan - anticipate problems
8. Post race inspections? All? Some? None?
9. What can we learn from the sailing incidents over the last three years?

Learn more about offshore safety and preparedness plans in this presentation from the 2014 Sailing Leadership Forum.