Safety Notes

• Watch your wash and reduce speed if necessary in confined waters and channels.

• Slow down where boats are moored, when approaching quays or lochs or where water activities are taking place. Always keep a sharp lookout for swimmers.

• Learn basic Rules of Navigation but remember that you have an overriding responsibility to avoid collision.

• Give as wide a berth as possible to Anglers and slow down, especially on canals when a competition is in progress. One boat rushing through can spoil the fishing for a large number of people for a long time.

• Respect areas where organised events are in progress.

• Respect property, public and private.

• Never travel in exposed waters in bad weather without notifying someone responsible to your intentions. Try to travel in company.

• Practice Man-Overboard Drill and lifesaving procedures. It is useful to have another person aboard who knows how to control the boat.

• Life jackets should be available and accessible to all crew members and should be worn when working on the deck and by children at all times.

• Keep a fender ready for fending off a quay or converging craft. Never allow anyone to fend off with a hand or a foot.

• Never allow anyone to joyride in a dinghy when it is being towed.

• Never allow fuel or oily bilge water to escape into the water. Take particular care when refueling, especially outboard engines.

• Be courteous: leave maximum space for other boats when mooring, and in locks; control your dinghy; if you have to tie up alongside another boat, ask permission, use adequate fenders and run your lines ashore where possible; do not rely on the other boat for security.

• Do not tie up to navigational marks or anchor in a navigational channel.

• Remember that it is contrary to the Lough Erne Bye-laws to moor a boat at a public quay or harbour for more than 48 hours.

• All boats should be covered by a suitable insurance policy (third party essential). • Make sure your boat is seaworthy.

• Use this checklist of equipment appropriate for your boat: Fire extinguishers (correct type), First Aid Kit, Adequate mooring lines & fenders, Anchors and adequate cable, Flares or other signaling equipment, Life belt near the helm, Life jackets, Compass, Binoculars, Boarding ladder or foothold.

• Make sure your boat has a Carbon Monoxide Detector.