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When cruising the Norfolk and Suffolk Broads it is important that all boaters put safety first.
All crew members should wear a lifejacket when on deck – even if they can swim. Children
should wear lifejackets, including when the boat is moored, and parents should keep an eye on
them. Make sure you know where your crew is at all times. Don’t let children sit on the front of the
boat or play at the stern, or on the roof, unsupervised.
Think ahead when approaching bridges. If appropriate, take down the canopy. Get everyone off
the deck, with hands and heads inboard, before approaching a bridge. Know your boat’s air draught
and check it for clearance against the gauge board on the bridge. Watch out for other boats
coming from the opposite direction. Generally, the boat travelling with the current has right of way.
Go steady with alcohol. We recommend that the helmsperson does not drink at all until the
vessel is safely moored. Even then all the crew should act sensibly and be particularly careful
when returning to the vessel at night. You need your wits about you while you’re navigating on the
water, getting on and off the boat, and moving around on deck.
When mooring up, don’t jump! This is where the majority of injuries occur. Make sure your mooring
ropes are ready and free of tangles. The fittest adult should step ashore wearing a properly fastened
lifejacket. Boats should approach a mooring against the tide, allowing for any wind conditions.
If anyone falls in – ‘reach or throw but don’t go’. Reach with a broom, mop or towel, or throw a
rope (keeping hold of one end!) or anything that floats, such as a life ring, ball or airtight container.
If you throw a life ring, remember to hold onto the rope. Never swim or dive into broads or rivers.
Personal rescue equipment is located at all Broads Authority 24-hour moorings.
Boat owners are reminded not to cause nuisance at moorings. The Broads Authority has
received complaints that a number of boats have been emitting fumes and smoke while running
their engines at moorings which has caused severe nuisance to other boat owners who are
moored. Boat owners are reminded under byelaw 84 it is an offence to allow your vessel to emit
smoke or fumes which give reasonable grounds for annoyance to any other person.
Take special care -
while navigating the 10 marked water-ski zones on the Rivers Waveney and Yare, keep well to the
right and secure all objects and people that are likely to fall if your boat is rocked by heavy wash.
New warning signs help identify the zones’ locations, and the times
when skiing is permitted.
Competitive rowing takes place on the Yare between Norwich and Surlingham, and on the River
Waveney near Oulton Broad. When you see a rowing vessel, please slow down in plenty of time.
These boats may be coming towards you quite fast and may travel a fair distance in the time it
takes for your wash to die down. Excessive wash can easily swamp a rowing vessel and may
even sink it. Always try to pass behind a tacking sailing boat. Don’t ‘go for the gap’. Slow down
and pass safely behind or as advised by the boat’s helmsperson.
Coping with pets
Most people realise it’s essential to wear a life-jacket while on or near the water – but did you
realise that you can also buy them for dogs? Dogs tend to fall overboard quite regularly and are
just as susceptible to cold and other hazards as people. Remember, NEVER enter the water to
rescue a pet – you are putting your own life at risk. People have died rescuing their dogs.
Boat safety DVD
The Broads Authority has launched a DVD on boating safety and etiquette. Called Better Boating
on the Broads it is available to people when they book boating holidays on the Broads, and will
also be useful for people new to boating. The DVD, which features some stunning aerial shots,
covers basic boat handling, navigation advice on how to moor, as well as tourist and
environmental information. It is available from Hire Boat Booking Agents, Broads Authority
Information Centres and the Broads Authority’s office at Gilders Way, Norwich for £1.50.
For more safety tips, maps and information about the Broads, including the Broads Authority’s
Fun in the Broads programme and local accommodation, pick up a free copy of the Broadcaster.
You’ll find it in Broads Information Centres, Gt Yarmouth Yacht Station, the Broads Authority’s
office at Gilders Way, Norwich, and local outlets. The Broads Authority has produced a range of
safety leaflets including activity specific advice which can also be obtained from Broads Authority
outlets and riverside establishments.
Emergencies
In an emergency contact the appropriate emergency service by calling 999. For navigation
emergencies and potential emergencies, you may require the Coastguard – also telephone 999.
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