When we talk about “good seamanship”, in water sports we mean all the nautical rules, behaviours and duties that not only have to be observed in commercial shipping, but also apply to every recreational skipper – as the responsible skipper. The most important points here are ship handling, navigation and safety on board.
In addition to the practical knowledge and skills needed to safely operate a boat or yacht, there are a number of important prerequisites for the skipper and ultimately for his crew to be able to enjoy a safe and trouble-free trip. The range is wide, from the “classic” nautical tasks to the – unfortunately often missing – etiquette in port.
Good seamanship begins long before casting off
The most important points of seamanship are traditionally referred to as the “golden rules of good seamanship” and, based on experience, begin with the crew’s instruction on the ship. Well, in practice, good seamanship should start much earlier, because for the responsible skipper, seamanship ideally begins with joint planning of the trip. During these preparations, it is also advisable for supposedly well-rehearsed crews to draw up a standardized crew contract and, if necessary, to take out appropriate water sports insurance policies or to adapt them to the crew, boat and area. On the one hand, this ensures that accidents and damage are largely covered in the ideal case, and on the other hand, misunderstandings can be avoided from the outset, even among good friends.
If the crew is not well-rehearsed or has not yet been on a “big trip” together, it is advisable to spend one or two evenings preparing for the planned trip and discussing the individual ideas of everyone involved. Such an exchange also helps to better assess sailing/nautical experiences and preferences. Knowing the strengths and weaknesses of the crew, but also any limitations of the skipper, who is only human, can be of great importance for harmonious interaction at sea.
The skipper as responsible boat driver
The central task of the responsible skipper is to safely guide the boat/yacht. He is the highest authority on the ship, bears the responsibility and must ensure before the trip that the team is familiar with and accepts the essential aspects of good seamanship. In this regard, the crew must be able to rely on the nautical skills of the skipper. At the latest during the serious briefing, during which the team and the boat also become familiar with each other, the last gaps in knowledge and questions of understanding must be clarified.
And most importantly: there are no stupid questions; it’s better to be identified as a landlubber than to confuse starboard with port in a stressful situation.
The nautical duty of care, forward-looking behavior at sea and the interaction between crew and skipper are among the most important principles of ship and crew management. The skipper can be held responsible for his commands and actions, even in retrospect. Maritime law, above all the international rules of right of way – including the Collision Prevention Rules – apply to all water sports enthusiasts and define how boats/ships must maneuver under certain conditions to avoid collisions. In this context, it is important to note that the “rules of good seamanship” are an official legal term and can also be used in court, for example, as a basis for disputes and to determine whether behavior was correct or incorrect in the event of an accident or danger.
Therefore, knowledge of your own boat or routine handling of the chartered vessel through sufficient practical experience with similar-type boats of comparable size is important.
Skipper
Skilled handling of the boat also includes regular technical checks, not only before setting off, and of course safe maneuvering/navigation under all conditions. In certain areas, a co-skipper is required. However, the appointment of a co-skipper is generally advisable. Usually, the crew member with sufficient experience is appointed to do this, who can relieve the skipper of many things and take on tasks including determining the fastest/shortest route to the next port in the event that the skipper is unable to navigate due to an accident or illness.
Briefing of the crew
The ship’s crew must be briefed on the type of boat as well as the technical and nautical equipment. The often concise but precise instructions at sea must be understood and implemented appropriately, not only in precarious situations. The man overboard maneuver, often practiced in practice as a buoy overboard maneuver, can save lives and is always a good first exercise at the beginning of a trip to improve ship handling and coordination and, last but not least, to practically train the entire crew.
Conclusion: Those who prepare well for the sea and can rely on thoroughly discussed work processes in the sense of good seamanship will live up to their responsibility for themselves and their crew. And if you add a little common sense, nothing should stand in the way of a fascinating combination of water sports and vacation.
