The master of the vessel is responsible for safe sailing – and that includes Midsummer
Many people will head out onto the water to celebrate Finnish Midsummer and the warm weather. One person in the boat is responsible for ensuring a safe boat trip – the master of the vessel. What does every master have to keep in mind? Here’s a refresher of the master’s most important responsibilities, including things such as give-way rules.
The Water Traffic Act that came into force last summer clarified the master’s responsibilities. The master is responsible for things such as the watercraft’s course, safety and equipment, and the use of its equipment.
“The master of the vessel may be anyone aboard the vessel who is old enough, has the required sailing skills, and has a responsible attitude,” says Kimmo Patrakka, Chief Advisor at the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom.
The master is also the one who advises other passengers about safety onboard: for example, everyone should wear lifejackets, or then other flotation devices should be worn or kept close at hand.
“You should only head out onto the water when sober. Wear a lifejacket and make sure that everyone else does the same. An accident can happen anywhere, and weather conditions can change quickly. July has traditionally been the peak month for boating accidents in Finland, and wearing a lifejacket is one of the most effective ways of preventing death by drowning,” says Patrakka.
Learn the give-way rules
An increase in vessel traffic means that there are more new enthusiasts on the water. In order to make traffic and encounters as safe as possible, every master should confidently know their give-way obligations and observe them diligently. This is particularly important in narrow fairways that are heavily used by the merchant navy in addition to recreational boaters.
“As we enter the boating season, every master should confidently know the give-way rules to ensure safe and smooth-flowing vessel traffic. From the perspective of those on the bridge of a merchant ship, it’s particularly important to maintain good distances. Merchant vessels sail in narrow and rocky fairways along very precisely defined routes. Due to their deep draught and slow manoeuvrability, they have little chance of swerving to avoid fast-moving recreational craft,” says Samu Koski, the manager of Fintraffic’s Gulf of Finland Vessel Traffic Centre.
Study the give-way rules for motorboats:
Are you going to overtake another motorboat? You should overtake on the side that you consider to be safest. Although the custom on the road is to overtake on the left, no such rule exists on the water. When you are overtaking, it is a good idea to consider the impact that your wake will have on the other boat. A boat that has just been overtaken will often have to change its course due to the waves caused by the overtaking boat. Waves coming in from the side may violently rock a boat.
Are you approaching another oncoming motorboat? When two motorboats are approaching each other from opposite directions, both boats should bear to the right. It is usually a good idea to sail along the right-hand side of the fairway. This will enable you to encounter oncoming vessels safely and smoothly.
When the courses of two motorboats are set to cross, the boat approaching from the left should give way. In other words, you should follow the same rules as you would on the road. If possible, the boat approaching from the left should give way by steering behind the stern of the boat approaching from the right. You can give way by, for example, altering the speed and course of your boat.
Are you in a motorboat approaching a sailboat? A motorboat should give way to a sailboat regardless of which direction the vessels are coming from. When a sailboat is sailing under engine power, it is considered a motorboat and will no longer have any priorities over other vessels.
Also remember the following:
Give-way rules for sailboats. Sailboats give way to each other according to the wind. If the sailboats have the wind on the same side, the windward boat should give way. If the sailboats have the wind on different sides, the boat on port tack (wind on the left-hand side) must give way.
When a ship and a boat meet in a narrow fairway. A boat, including a sailboat, must give way to a ship whose safe course is limited by its deep draught. A boater should always avoid getting too close to ships. A ship may not be able to make rapid evasive manoeuvres or quick alterations in speed, and this can easily lead to dangerous situations.
Do you have radio communication at your fingertips?
In order to be legally allowed to use marine radio frequencies for communication, recreational boaters must have an appropriate personal qualification in marine radio traffic and a radio permit for their vessel. Appropriate radio qualifications will be required to obtain a radio permit. These qualifications can be obtained by acquiring a VHF Short Range Certificate (SRC) for marine radio station operators.
“We recommend that everyone acquires a marine VHF radio phone as part of their vessel’s safety equipment. It enables direct radio communication between a vessel and the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre, or between two vessels, when there is no mobile network coverage. You may be surprised at how necessary a VHF radio phone can be, as weather conditions can change rapidly on the water. VHF is also designed to withstand extremely challenging conditions at sea,” says Ari Caselius, a radio network specialist at Traficom.
A checklist for sailing competition organisers
Summer is also a busy time for sailing competitions. Competitions are usually held in busy fairways near to both merchant shipping routes and shallow shipping lanes. As Fintraffic’s VTS Centres monitor the safe and smooth flow of vessel traffic in both sea areas and other waterways, it’s important to keep them informed of competitions.
You should, therefore, always notify Fintraffic at least two weeks before your competition using this form.
