Increased safety on board your boat?

As a boat owner, you have most likely carefully considered safety on board. At Biltema, this is the main reason for obtaining a certificate of knowledge from a sailing club.  

Safety is important when going out on the water, since water can be a dangerous. However, if you make sure to follow boating regulations and ensure that your sailboat, motorboat or dinghy is well maintained, you can increase your safety on board for very little expense.  

At Biltema we search for ways to significantly improve safety when boating – without it needing to cost too much. All the products we have found cost less than DKK 500. 

Remember to keep a hand bailer on board 

A hand bailer is a necessary tool to have on board. 

If you experience severe weather out on the water, you will be able to empty water from your dinghy or sailboat with a bailer. Water can splash over the railing, or you may have a small hole in the bottom of the boat? It is also good to have when preparing for spring or if you notice water in a cavity on board. Biltema different sized hand bailers. 

Draining water from a boat is important, since water weighs heavily on board, which can lead to even more water coming on board. You should also remember to stow the hand bailer so you don’t lose it. You can do this by drilling a hole in the handle and securing it to your dinghy or boat with a string. Then you won’t easily lose it. 

Keep a lifeline accessible on your boat 

Emergencies can happen suddenly, and if someone falls overboard, a lifeline is indispensable. It’s also a great means to connect to another boat in rough weather. 

The lifeline below comes packed in a bag, so it’s easy to throw in rough weather. You must ensure that your lifeline is easily accessible so it can quickly be grabbed and thrown to a person in need. In emergences when someone falls overboard, it is extremely important to react quickly – so it’s crucial that you know where the lifeline is located. 

A lifeline is a very useful tool to invest in - You must ensure that it is easy to reach and use in an emergency.

Dead man’s switch stops the boat 

The dead man’s switch may have a scary name, but the name is also a reminder of what can happen in a worst-case scenario when a person falls overboard. The dead man’s switch stops the engine if the driver falls overboard. A coiled line is attached around the wrist or waist. Biltema’s dead man’s switch is designed like the original dead man’s switches and can therefore also be used on a wide range of boats.  

The switch is a necessity for most people who sail in smaller dinghies or motorboats. The switch is connected to the engine system and stops the engine when the wrist strap activates the switch. The wrist strap has a springy effect, which allows some mobility in the dinghy or motorboat when using it. 

The dead man’s switch - The dead man’s switch stops the boat immediately and ensures that the boat does not sail on.

Drift anchor – a neglected piece of safety equipment 

The drift anchor is an often overlooked onboard safety device. The drift anchor is very useful, especially in rough weather. If the engine stalls, you can lay out the drift anchor, which ensures that the bow of the boat is held up against the waves. This positions the boat in a wat that minimises the risk of water coming in over the railing. The drift anchor also stops the boat from resting sideways against the waves, which provides better stability in the event of engine failure.  

Drift anchor - Something especially convenient about a drift anchor is that it does not take up much space and it is easy to stow away on board.

Air horn 

Use an air horn in foggy weather or in an emergency. If you are in distress, you can signal an SOS. The SOS code consists of three short, three long, and three short tones.  

It is important to remember and note that vessels under 12 metres are free to choose which signal to use, as long as it is clear and precise. 

An air horn is typically used to get the attention of other boats, such as when you are unsure if you have been seen on the water. 

Mount a boarding ladder 

A boarding ladder is an important safety device and ensures that you can get back in the boat if you fall overboard. As part of the CE marking, it is a requirement for the boat or dinghy to be equipped with a boarding ladder that extends a suitable distance into the water.   

A boarding ladder is crucial for your safety when you are out sailing alone. But if you are out sailing with others, the boarding ladder also provides good help if you need to rescue someone who has fallen overboard. 

But we are keeping our fingers crossed that the boarding ladder will only be used for another name it has: a bathing ladder – for jumping into the blue water and climbing up – again and again. 

Biltema has a good selection of boarding ladders.  

Mount a boarding ladder - The picture shows a boarding ladder with a single step that can be folded into the water.

Paddle with boat hook 

If you are sailing in a smaller boat and the engine stalls, it can be very useful to be able to paddle ashore.  The boat hook in the photo offers more possibilities, but you’ll probably get ashore faster with a full set of oars. 

If you turn the oar in the picture upside down, you will find a hook that is a well-functioning boat hook.  

Emergency lights 

As everyone knows, the power can go out – even on a boat. In such cases, it’s good to have emergency lighting on board. In an emergency, different types of lights can be used. For example, these emergency lights may well be mistaken for bicycle lights. They are lightweight and can be stowed away until you need them. They are easy to use, and can be mounted just as easily as bicycle lights. For example, they can be mounted on search rails or other brackets. They should be placed as high as possible so that they are visible. 

Power bank 

In the event of a power outage on your boat, or if you sail around in a smaller dinghy, a classic power bank is very useful for keeping your phone running or if you navigate using a tablet. And you might as well choose a power bank that can also serve as emergency lighting. And then you kill two birds with one stone. This model has several different types of lighting (cold, white, warm white, and strobe light) 

What would you do without electricity? So make sure to take precautions. 

Torch and searchlight 

Remember to have a powerful torch or floodlight on board. And it should have a long-range beam. You should always keep a powerful light on board. Especially if you need to rummage through the engine compartment, find things in your stowage areas and storage rooms.  

Torch and searchlight - The torch in the picture can be used to signal other boats.

A torch an also be used to keep an eye on things in the water at dusk, and a floodlight can really help in an emergency.  

Read more about deck lighting in the article here>> 

Compass 

When all else fails, keeping a good old-fashioned handheld compass on board makes sense. The small compass is also easy to take with you in a life raft. 

Personal flotation devices 

Safety on board goes hand in hand with life jackets. The price of a life jacket is roughly DKK 500, and you will find all our life jackets in the link. 

Explore our range of life jackets 

Biltema wishes you a fantastic and safe boating season.