The RYA receives numerous reports of accidents and incidents from affiliates, recognised training centres, individual members and its own events.

The Safety Management Group is responsible for monitoring the reports and identifying any trends or key learnings that may be worthwhile sharing with the network or should lead to changes in policy, procedures or rules.

There are a number of areas which have been identified from these reports, including the incident at 2025 RYA Youth National Championships , which provide useful lessons and aide-mémoires to those undertaking the delivery of on water activity, and are summarised here.

Conditions can change quickly – have a plan, be prepared

It is important to remember that conditions can change quickly. This may be because of a sudden increase in wind speed or a change in tidal direction. When conditions gradually deteriorate, safety can generally be managed over a period with those who are less able receiving support first.

When conditions change rapidly and then become in excess of what the majority of the group can cope with, this situation may lead to resources becoming overwhelmed.

For this reason, it may be necessary to curtail activity early to ensure the group is ashore ahead of poor conditions that are expected to build rapidly.

When working with a building forecast or change in tide direction that indicates conditions are likely to become unsailable later, ensure sufficient reserve is built into the schedule to allow for getting the group back to shore prior to these conditions.

Planning a major event – is everyone who should be aware?

When planning a major event which is larger than what would be normal for the area, or which involves large numbers of people it is considered good practice to have prior engagement with relevant authorities and emergency services. Prior engagement can ensure clear coordination and open lines of communication in the event of an emergency. In some areas there will be a requirement for the local harbour authority to be notified in line with the Port Marine Facilities Safety Code.

Recent discussion between the RYA and HM Coastguard suggested it was difficult to define an exact trigger for pre-event notification to a Marine Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC); however broadly speaking, any event which has the potential to require a larger number of water users to be rescued would be worth notification to the local MRCC.

Notification can be submitted to sar.response@mcga.gov.uk and should include at least:

• Venue
• Dates and expected times of activity
• Number of boats and age of sailors
• Course areas being used
• Radio Channels
• Telephone contact number for Bridge/Event Safety Officer

Local authorities are also responsible for convening Safety Advisory Groups (SAGs) which include representation from local authority and other emergency services such as police; fire & rescue; ambulance service. SAGs provide a forum for discussing and advising on public safety at an event. They aim to help organisers with the planning, and management of an event and to encourage cooperation and coordination between all relevant agencies.

The threshold for notifying a SAG varies from area to area. The relevant local authority will be able to advise on whether the size of event is one for which a SAG would engage or not. Whilst it is unlikely that all but the largest sailing events would require a SAG, engaging with the local authority events team can help ensure that relevant authorities and emergency services are aware of an event and know who to contact in the event of any problems.

Risk assessment

The RYA recommends a three-step process to risk assessment.

• A pre-event assessment allowing you to consider the high-level risks of the event and what mitigations can be put into place as part of the planning phase.
• A daily risk assessment that takes account of the daily variables such as weather forecast, changes in resource level, sailing area changes etc. and helps inform a go/no-go decision.
• A dynamic risk assessment – a continual process taking account of any changes to the situation such as conditions, breakdowns, multiple capsizes etc.

At all levels of the risk assessment, it is important that account is taken of any specifics or differences across the activity that lead to different risks or risk levels. A different type of boat may present more challenges in recovery or towing for example, or a particular sailing area may suffer from different tidal effects causing different sea conditions.

Read the RYA’s Guide to Risk Assessments

Assumed stability of keelboats

The RYA Safety Management Group has identified a trend across a number of recent reports where there was an assumption made on the level of stability of a keelboat that was later found to be underestimated. Whilst keelboats generally have increased levels of stability compared to dinghies, that is not infinite and in the wrong conditions they can still capsize.

Guidance on recovering keelboat capsizes can be found here: https://www.rya.org.uk/blog/sailability-safety-blog/keelboat-recovery and on mast head floats here: https://www.rya.org.uk/network/clubs-and-affiliates/sailability/mast-head-floats/

Who is taking responsibility for an activity?

A few reports have been made to the RYA where an underlying factor appears to be a misunderstanding between the venue and the participant as to what level of responsibility a venue is taking to overseeing the safety of the activity. It is important that venues clearly articulate to those using their facilities what responsibilities are taken by the venue and what responsibility remains with the individual.

Further guidance is available within the Scope & Responsibilities section of the RYA’s Guidance for Managing Safety on the Water

Dealing with emergencies – what’s the plan?

When an emergency happens, it is good practice to be able to fall back on a plan. This ensures clarity as to who is in control and making decisions.

Whilst the primary responsibility is always the safety of participants and ensuring everyone returns safely to shore it is also important to consider how communications are maintained with key stakeholders and relevant liaison channels identified for groups such as parents throughout the management of an incident.

Read further guidance on developing emergency action plan

Accident and incident reporting

The RYA requires reporting of accidents and incidents from RYA activity and from RYA Recognised Training Centres, however it also welcomes reports from affiliates and individuals especially in the case of fatality; hospitalisation; statutory reporting to the MAIB or if useful lessons can be learnt. Through reporting, we are all supporting a culture of learning, helping to ensure the sport of sailing continues to have a strong record of safety.

Accidents and incidents can be reported to the RYA via our website.