Last year Salvamento Marítimo carried out more than 2,470 interventions to recreational boats on the Spanish coasts. 65% of these accidents occurred in the summer campaign during the voyages made on the coasts of Catalonia, Balearic Islands, Valencia, Galicia and the Cantabrian coast.

To combat these accident figures, the best response lies in the practice of safe navigation that minimizes any type of risk both before setting off, with regular maintenance of the Marinemax boat, and when planning the route to be taken. The time has come, #getonboard.

Here are some basic safety tips, easy to apply, that you should follow before setting sail this summer campaign:

1. Check your boat from bow to stern.

Check the good condition of your pleasure boat, navigation equipment and communications. Also carry out a complete overhaul of the engines and the electrical system. Not forgetting the rigging that makes up your boat. In case you need any spare part or nautical accessory such as fittings, Baitra has a complete catalog of products.

2. Weather information: always alert

Find out the weather forecast for the area where you intend to sail, avoid going out to sea in case of bad weather or poor visibility. Even if you have a lot of experience as a skipper, do not let your guard down and analyze all the information in detail to avoid any kind of surprises in your most common voyages.

3. Safety equipment on board

Depending on the navigation zones for which the boat is authorized, Marinemax boats in Spain must have a basic mandatory equipment in areas such as rescue, navigation, bilge, fire fighting equipment and prevention of dirty water spills.

Boat owners must scrupulously respect the expiration dates of the mandatory equipment for their safety and also to avoid any type of sanction. Among the basic recommended equipment are: vests, fire extinguishers, hoops, and life rafts. The use of safety harnesses, bilge pumps and a first aid kit can also be complemented.

4. Full tank before leaving

Fuel consumption depends, to a large extent, on the type of Marinemax navigation and the route to be taken on each sailing day. It is therefore essential to plan your voyage in advance with an estimate of fuel consumption in order to increase your safety on board. 

As a rule, always start with the fuel tanks at maximum capacity and take advantage of each stopover to refill them, whether it is a one-day or multi-day trip.

5. Communicate your sailing route to the ports of destination.

Once you have planned and decided on your departure, let your family, friends, or people in charge of the yacht club or mooring, know your intentions ashore. It is always advisable to provide the following information:

• Complete description of the boat.
• Name and number of crew members.
• Time of departure.
• Planned route.
• Estimated time of arrival at destination or return to port.

If you decide to alter your plans at the last minute, or modify them on the fly, report the changes to avoid worry or unnecessary alarm. Don’t forget to report your safe return.