Lists & Checks - Pre-Boarding Safety and General Operations For New Crew

[EViS]

I'm wanting to make two lists of points to run through for an upcoming charter with friends who have never stepped foot on a yacht before.

The first list would be to assist me in making sure that I introduce them to every important piece of safety about the boat (e.g. how to operate the lavatory, life raft, find all of the stop cocks, operating the gas cooker, flares, etc.).

I then want to discuss how to operate the basic equipment on the boat and fundamental processes (e.g. winding winches and storing handles, not unlocking the topping lift before the boom is supported by the halyard, how to tie on fenders and general information about approaching berths).

Does anyone have any lists which they would like to share with me? If I get a fair few replies, I shall merge all the lists and post one ordered list for anyone to make use of the in the future .

[belizesailor]

Most important thing to brief new guests about: how to use a marine head.

If they are new to sailing, then I would just skip all the sailing related operational items -- they are not going to have a clue what you are talking about anyway and will not likely retain any of it. If you want to have them assist with a task along the way just walk them through that specific task at that time.

When I do safety briefings I keep it short to the point and only the basics which guests (not crew) need to know. EG: how to put on a PFD. In the event of an emergency, everything else is the responsibility of captain and crew not guests.

[EViS]

How would your guests/crew fair if you as the captain/skipper went MOB on them?

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by EViS

How would your guests/crew fair if you as the captain/skipper went MOB on them?

Likely much better than me.

If there are totally inexperienced guests aboard then it is highly unlikely they are going to have any idea how to execute an MOB maneuver successfully. There have actually been a few boating accident deaths under this exact scenario....and it was not the guests who died.

I've been involved in a couple of S&R efforts where the captain was incapacitated (heart attack in one cases). The guests were just fine.

[EViS]

Originally Posted by belizesailor

Likely much better than me.

. So you don't bore them with explanations of how various safety elements work then, fair enough.

Looking forward to hearing other people's advice and opinions .

[gjordan]

Dont overload them with too much too soon, or they will shut down from trying to digest too much. And yes, explain the workings of the head first. Unless you are going to take them across the Anagada Passage the first night, you might skip most of the safety stuff and motor to the nearest safe anchorage and let them unwind from jets and taxis and hauling luggage. They will be in much better shape to follow the safety stuff in the morning. Just my 2 cents worth._____Grant.