Two people are out on the water on a leisure vessel. They are both wearing orange personal flotation devices.

Recreational boating safety

Recreational boating safety

'Reduce the risk, boost your skills' campaign

Recreational boating is a common activity which leads to incidents requiring Coastguard assistance, many of which could be preventable with the proper maintenance and safety checks.

HM Coastguard has now teamed up with the RNLI and the RYA for a joint safety campaign, encouraging the recreational boating community to 'reduce the risk, boost your skills', in an effort to bring down the number of these incidents.

Man thrown overboard rescued thanks to personal locator beacon

Preparation was the key factor in Peter's survival when he was thrown overboard from his boat in Exmouth Harbour in a nightmare ordeal.

Trapped under the hull and unable to climb back onboard, his life was saved when his Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) (which activated automatically when he entered the water) alerted the HM Coastguard operations room to his emergency before he even rang 999.

They were then able to dispatch the RNLI to his location immediately.

As part of our latest campaign on improving recreational boating safety, we met with Peter to learn more about the terrifying ordeal and how his lifejacket and PLB ultimately saved his life.

His experience is a reminder that conditions out on the water can change in seconds, and you must always be prepared for the unexpected.
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Your pre-season boating safety checklist

As a boater, you'll know how quickly things can go wrong at sea. That's why it's important to stay prepared. Before the season begins, make sure to:

  1. Boost your skills and complete and training you might need. You can find courses at RYA.org.uk
  2. Check and service your boat and equipment (for example: hull, engine, rigging and steering).
  3. Check and service your safety equipment (for example: lifejackets, liferafts and flares).
  4. Check and service your engine (including fuel and filters).

Save and share this page with others to help reduce the risk.

An RNLI lifeboat is approaching a sailing vessel. Text reads - 'Your pre-season boating safety checklist'
Two recreational boaters are on the deck of a vessel. Text reads - '1. Boost your skills and complete your training. 2. Check and service your boat and equipment.'
A woman is onboard a vessel, checking over a first aid kit and other equipment. Text reads - '3. Check and service your safety equipment'. 4. Check and service your engine, fuel and filters.'
A recreational boat out on the water with two people onboard wearing orange personal flotation devices. Sailing vessels can be seen in the background. Text reads - 'Save and share to help reduce risk!'.
3D render of the recreational boating checklists
Boating checklists
As a boater, you’ll know how quickly things can go wrong at sea. That’s why it’s so important to stay prepared.

Complacency and forgetfulness are two of the biggest risks you’ll face. So, keep these essential checklists onboard and follow our expert advice for your best shot at trouble-free boating.
Order or download here

HM Coastguard's top tips for staying safe on the water:

  • Register your personal locator beacon (PLB) and emergency position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) so HM Coastguard can easily locate you in an emergency
  • Check the weather forecast and tide times before setting sail
  • Make sure your vessel is maintained correctly and in good condition before heading out
  • Wear a lifejacket or personal flotation device (PFD) and ensure that it is regularly serviced
  • Consider a training or skills refresher course to boost your knowledge
  • Let others know your plans, where you’re going and when you’ll be back
  • In an emergency, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard

Sailor rescued thanks to personal locator beacon

A sailor who broke bones in 13 places after falling during a solo voyage in rough conditions was rescued with the help of his registered personal locator beacon (PLB).

When activated, the signal was picked up by HM Coastguard's Joint Rescue Coordination Centre, who then deployed RNLI lifeboats to bring him safely back to land.

Richard spent the next nine days in hospital recovering from his injuries.

The incident demonstrates the value in carrying a registered beacon, as well as ensuring your vessel is maintained correctly and fit to go out to sea.
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Our onboard safety advice will keep you prepared for various situations to help ensure everyone returns home and dry.

Onboard safety
A woman onboard a vessel wearing a personal flotation device
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