As a boat owner, getting your passengers safely on and off the boat is a crucial part of the adventure. In this guide, we cover everything you should know about safe boat entry and exit before you head out with your friends or family.
Basics for Entry and Exit
The captain or driver of the boat is always responsible for the safety of all onboard passengers from the moment they set foot on the dock. Before any trip, you should make all passengers aware of the boarding processes, especially those who are new to boating.
The Entry Process
Any passengers should ask permission to board or wait until the driver acknowledges them. This ensures that there are no sudden weight shifts, especially on a smaller boat. The driver or captain will also be able to quickly direct passengers to the best location and help them to store any items if necessary.
When entering the boat, all passengers should make sure their hands are free to grab any handholds. If they have any larger items or handheld items, they should pass these onto the boat first. Then they should place their foot firmly into the boat before transferring any weight from the other foot. This will help them stay upright even in rougher conditions.
The Exit Process
Passengers should stay seated and wait for the driver or captain to tell them to exit the boat. Once again, passengers should ensure they have both hands free as they leave. They should hold onto the handholds, and step firmly onto the dock. Remember to remind passengers that the boat can move as they step, so they should be careful. Any larger items can be passed to the passengers by the driver or captain.
Potential Hazards During Entry and Exit
It is always a good idea to be aware of any potential hazards for both you and your passengers. Below are some of the most common.
Boat Movement
As a boat is on water, there will always be some sort of movement, which is quite different from being on land. When the boat moves, the gangway will also move. The driver of the boat needs to consider the roll, pitch, surge, sway, and heave motions that could happen. These movements can change the angle, slope, and direction of the gangway, even while someone is on it.
Dock Movement
While some docks are steady, many are what we refer to as floating docks. These are sturdy platforms suspended in the water by pontoons, usually connected to land or a steady dock by a gangway. A floating dock is subject to motion due to waves, wind, tides, and weight. This can increase the risk of falling, and increases the roll, pitch, surge, sway and heave motions when entering and exiting a boat.
Using a Platform or Steps
Often boat owners may opt to use a platform, or step configuration to help passengers on board. This is most common when the dock is much lower than the boat and there is no space for a gangway. While this is helpful, as passengers do not have to stretch up and over a railing, it does create a gap that they will need to step over.
Lighting
If picking up or dropping off passengers during low light, make sure that you have proper illumination on board. Most docks do not provide adequate lighting, so being able to light up entry and exit points is important. If the dock itself is long, consider providing a flashlight to passengers so they can navigate to dry land easily.
Change in Surface
Often, docks are made from wood, which can be slippery, even on a sunny day. This can be due to water being splashed on it, algae growing, worn patches, and other reasons. However, the boat itself will likely have a slightly textured floor, designed to stop slips even when covered in water. Gangways also have a different surface texture, with most made of metal, with ridges, or covered in a non slip material. Be sure to remind any passengers about the surfaces, especially from the dock to the gangway, and vice versa.
By being aware of the conditions and the capabilities of your passengers, you can easily avoid accidents during the entry or exit of your boat. Consider sending any boat guests a safe boat entry and exit guide that covers the basics before they head down to the dock.
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