Sailability support for safer boating
Right across the UK, disabled people are getting afloat as the season gets into full swing.
The amazing community of Sailability organisations continues to grow opportunities and develop people’s skills and commitment.
In part this happens by building on the successes of previous years, but also by learning lessons when things don’t go so well. Do read the MAIB’s LimbItless report with this in mind. The RYA is still reflecting on the report and ways we can be part of sharing the learning.
The RYA’s Sailability team is a core part of the learning process, producing advice and guidance where we think it will make a difference, which is why we have started looking at a new resource for people who stay in their wheelchair while boating.
So far, we’ve held a workshop, agreed a way forward within the RYA and started conversations with Wetwheels and others about joining with us to write the guidance. The Sailability community will have a big part to play – submitting evidence about what works, commenting on early drafts to make sure the end result is useful, and putting the guidance into practice once it has been published. Watch this space.
Of course, good decisions about safety don’t wait for new guidance – they happen every day we go out on the water.
Here are three things that can help with your decisions:
- Stay informed – There’s already a wealth of support available, including RYA safety guidance for disabled people and the Sailability safety blog, which covers topics such as drop bow vessels and keelboat recovery.
- Know your responsibilities – Be clear about what you are (and aren’t) responsible for, and make sure everyone involved knows what to expect. Who is ultimately responsible for the activity they enjoy?
- Prepare, practice, prevent – The best response to a serious incident is to stop it happening in the first place through your safety management practices. But if things do go wrong, being prepared and well-rehearsed can make all the difference when it counts.
And let us know how it goes – we love hearing about all your achievements and those amazing moments that happen out on the water, but also get in touch when things don’t go so well. It’s all about the community learning together.