It’s stunning. It’s a delight to spend time on. But like any other vessel, a luxury yacht presents dangers, making it crucially important to be safe and sensible on board. So what are the dos and don’ts around yachting? This is your expert guide to staying safe and well on board.  

Slips and falls

A deck can be a slippery beast, and when the yacht is moving through the water at speed you’re more at risk of a slip or fall. If the water’s a bit lively the stairs on a yacht can be a particularly risky proposition, so take everything slowly and steadily. Ideally, obey the barefoot rule, the safest of all on deck, or wear proper deck shoes but never, ever boots or heels, even if they’re your beloved Jimmy Choos and it’s party time. 

Use the handholds and railings. Clear up food and drink spills before they become a hazard. Don’t leave towels, piles of clothing, books or anything else lying around for the unwary to trip over. And keep a special eye on children and pets. If either gets too over-excited, reel them back in and calm things down. A dog lead or another way to tether your best furry friend is a wise move for canine safety at sea.   

The same goes for indoors. The furniture in yacht staterooms and bedrooms, like at home, can have sharp corners, and when the waves are making the yacht rock you could easily fall and hurt yourself. The galley, where hot food and drinks are prepared, is just as dangerous as the kitchen at home. A first aid kit containing all the usual basics is a must, and it’s essential to refill and maintain it. You might even want to take a first aid course, like the excellent St John’s Ambulance course. 

Sun wisdom 

Bring a good supply of suntan lotion, and bear in mind a breeze on the water can hide developing sunburn until it’s too late and you’re bright red. If you get heat stroke you can become very poorly. 

Person overboard! 

A healthy respect for the sea is always a good thing. Knowing what to do if the worst happens makes all the difference. If someone falls overboard and you know exactly what to do under the circumstances, you’ll instinctively do the right thing instead of running around in a panic. Do your safety drills together, make it a fun experience, and repeat the exercises at the start of every voyage so the knowledge is fresh in everyone’s minds.  

If you have crew they’ll be well trained and experienced in safety on board. You could pick their brains to make sure everyone in your party knows everything they need to know to sail safely.  

Food safety

The last thing you want is to get food poisoning on board, so take the same care around food hygiene as you would at home. If you have a professional chef on board they’ll know the score. 

Water and fuel supplies

Check before you go – without enough fuel, you can find yourselves stranded at sea, and none of us can go without fresh water for long.  

Too much stuff

There’s limited storage space on board a yacht, so pack like a pro. Soft luggage is so much better since you can fold and stash it rather than leaving it on the floor where it gets in the way. 

Alcohol, partying, and fun after dark

It’s great fun enjoying a few drinks on board a luxury yacht, either during daytime in the sunshine or late into the night. Parties are a wonderful way to enjoy the thrills of luxury yachting with friends, family, colleagues and clients. But alcohol and safety are not always the best bedfellows, so take care, go through the relevant safety drills with your guests, and keep an eye on everyone just in case they overdo it and endanger themselves and others.  

Caring for the oceans

Our planet’s precious marine life deserves your care and attention, which means not throwing rubbish in the water or polluting it in any other way. 

Keeping your crew happy

If you’ve brought a crew of experts on board, treat them with respect and consideration. When there’s an excellent crew on your side, everything goes more smoothly and it’s so much more enjoyable. Share your plans and schedule so they know what’s what. Be polite and calm. Don’t expect them to look after your children or pets. Let them know if you’ll be inviting extra guests on board or have any unusual dietary requirements. Give and take is the name of the game, and a generous tip at the end of the voyage will be warmly appreciated.  

Remembering to deploy the swim ladder

If you’ve ever seen the horror movie Adrift, where everyone on board a luxury yacht jumps into the sea, forgetting to deploy the swim ladder first, you’ll know never to do that. If you want to swim, always make sure there’s a way to get back on board. If it’s just you, no crew, never leave the craft unattended while you play and swim. 

So now you’re ready to board your luxury yacht share, fully prepared for every eventuality. If you’d like to know more about yacht syndication, we’re always happy to help.