Safety on board your boat
If you haven’t done so yet, you may soon be thinking about going out sailing for the first time this season. Remember to check your boat carefully and carry out any necessary maintenance work to deal with it safely and with foresight.
If you need help, contact your sailing club or Varador l’Escala in good time so you avoid last minute delays.
It is also important to carry safety equipment and the documentation corresponding to current legislation, which in the case of Spain, is regulated by Royal Decree 339/2021.
Check it and make sure everything is up to date!
Safety equipment
- The life raft is mandatory for boats in the A or B design category and able to sail in zones 1,2 and 3 (from more than 12NM from the coast)
- Life jackets with lights for all children and adults on board. Pleasure boats sailing up to 12NM from the coast or for only daytime sailing may do without the light.
- Ring lifesavers with light and line for boats that sail between zones 1 to 4 (more than 5 NM from the coast).
- Rescue signals:
- Hand flares: 3 units (sailing up to 12NM from the coast) or 6 (sailing from 13NM from the coast).
- Rockets with red light and parachute: 3 units (sailing up to 12NM from the coast) or 6 units (sailing over 12NM from the coast)
- Smoke and floating signals: 1 unit (sailing between 13 and 25NM from the coast) or 2 units (unlimited navigation area)
- Anchor line and anchor
- Nautical equipment
- National flag
- Radar reflector
- Waterproof flashlight
- Rescue Signal chart
- Flag signal chart
- Mooring lines: minimum 2
- Boathook
- First aid kit and health guide on board
- Nautical publications:
- For all boats: route book and book of updated lighthouses and fog signals in the area where you are sailing.
- Zones 2 and 3 (up to 60NM from the coast): updated book of radio signals
- Unlimited zone 1: User manual of Mobile Maritime and Satellite Mobile services, nomenclature of the coastal stations and the Special Services Stations (List IV) and updated International Signal Code.
- Compass: navigation zones from 1 to 4 (more than 5NM from the coast)
- Updated nautical charts of the areas where you are sailing and Portolan charts of the ports you are using: navigation zones 1 to 4 (more than 5NM from the coast)
- Binoculars: navigation zones from 1 to 4 (more than 5NM from the coast)
- Barometer and set of November and Charlie flags: navigation zones 1 and 2 (more than 25NM from the coast)
- Sextant, navigation log and stopwatch: unlimited navigation zone 1
Your first outing:
If it is the first day you are going sailing, we recommend you don’t go too far from your homeport. Start by making shorter trips to check that your boat is 100% seaworthy or detect any possible maintenance required to ensure you can be rescued in the event of any problem.
Reduce risks and enjoy the Empuries Sea!
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