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Nautical activity: the safety rules to know
Flyboarding, Kitesurfing, Waterskiing… you too have succumbed to the Water Toys craze in the Mediterranean and are eager to take the plunge! We completely understand you, however, it must be kept in mind that the marine environment has its dangers.
To avoid any risk and allow you to take full advantage of your favorite activity, rules to follow must be brought to your attention. We tell you about it in this article.
What are the risks during a nautical practice?
Although infrequent, nautical accidents do happen! Every year, thousands of rescue operations take place at sea. Two main causes of accidents are mentioned:
Weather conditions
When the sea is not favourable, it is strongly advised to postpone the activity to another time, and this, for good reasons:
- The wind can create a strong swell, making any leisure activity dangerous.
- The cold can cause more or less serious health concerns and create patches of ice.
- Fog diminishes perception making obstacles invisible. In the event of a problem, it will also be more difficult for the emergency services to find you.
- During thunderstorms, your equipment can be struck by lightning.
Collisions
We are never safe from an obstacle, even at sea. Whether it’s another sailboat, kayak, or even a boat, non-compliance with traffic rules can quickly cause accidents. In addition, natural obstacles are not excluded: rocks, strong currents, branches or other objects may appear in front of you without you having anticipated them.
The different rules to follow
To avoid various problems, it is enough to follow certain rules. We show them to you below.
Find out about the weather
The first thing to do before embarking on a nautical activity is to check the weather forecast. The conditions and the wind must be favorable to the practice of your leisure. For example, the wind is an obstacle to surfing, but is very practical for windsurfing!
Also find out about tide times and wind direction.
Of course, in rough seas, any nautical activity is strongly discouraged.
Know the authorized areas
Depending on the nautical leisure you practice, the limits to be respected are different. In general, the authorized areas are far from beaches and bathing places.
For windsurfing and kitesurfing, the sailing limit is 2,000 miles from the coast.
For motor vehicles (jet-skis, scooters, sea bikes), navigation must be carried out during the day. The distance from a shelter is 2 or 6 miles depending on the number of people.
You must absolutely inform yourself about the authorized areas so as not to find yourself in dangerous places or in nature reserves.
Warn those around you
If you are going alone, it is important to inform your relatives. Indeed, in the event that you should have a problem at sea, they could then send help.
Check the hardware
Before starting your nautical activity, make sure that your equipment is fully operational, especially with regard to life jackets.
If your vehicle is motorized, check the fuel level.
Be aware that each activity requires precise and regulated equipment to avoid any risk.
To be visible
In case of nocturnal nautical activity, equip yourself with a luminous device in order to be distinguished from afar! This is even more recommended for the practice of windsurfing or kitesurfing.
Opt for the radio
At sea, the mobile phone is not your best ally. The network is far from optimal and you will quickly be limited by your battery life. Instead, equip yourself with a BbTalkin cap with an integrated headset , an excellent means of contact in the event of an emergency.
Custom Motors answers all your questions
Located in the Alpes Maritimes, Custom Motors offers many services in the nautical field: water toys, rentals, workshops… You will find everything you need there. We, at Custom Motors France, are committed to offering you the best possible service. We are looking forward to receiving your inquiries and, should there be any questions regarding our products, contact the team anytime and do not hesitate to ask away!
For further information, feel free to give us a call at +33-4-89-89-17-12 or write us an email at the following address: contact@custommotorsfrance.com
You can also drop by our premises, located at 331 Dr Julien Lefebvre Avenue, 06270 Villeneuve-Loubet
