Single handed sailing has become more popular due to the restrictions of COVID; however, this can pose a safety issue when going sailing alone.

Over the last year and a half, during COVID, many dinghy sailors have found themselves sailing in situations that they are not familiar with.  Some have had to launch close to home and in places that they are not familiar because of travel or time restrictions, others have purchased single-handed dinghies, many older and cheaper, because they are unable to socially distance from their normal crews.  From time to time supported racing competition has also been prohibited.

Whilst restrictions on sailing are now being relaxed in many sailing locations, we have also seen club resources locked down with COVID-19 restrictions at short notice, leaving some sailors unaware of the risks they may be taking and simple precautions that they could put in place to manage them.
Here are some guidance notes to consider about how we might stay safer when sailing our dinghies as a single-handed dinghies, alone or in small groups and with minimal, or no, rescue cover.  (In the current climate these should also be read alongside any COVID-19 guidelines and regulations in place at your locality).
•    Know your boat and that it is seaworthy
•    Know the weather and your capabilities in the predicted conditions
•    Check out the location you want to sail from
•    Know your skills, particularly to right the boat after a capsize and to get back in
•    Minimise your risk of getting separated from, injured by, or trapped under your boat or sail.  Can you self-rescue if things go wrong?
•    Wear your life jacket and appropriate clothing.  Think about food and drink.
•    Let someone onshore know your plans and when to raise the alarm
•    Carry a method of communicating with others in case you need help

Your Boat
How well do you know your boat?  If you are used to the class, how have breakages occurred in the past and are they likely to happen on this sail?  Can things be fixed on the water? Has the boat been maintained? If you don’t know the class, ask around to see what might break unexpectedly. 
•    Check your boat over to ensure everything is working well and that nothing is about to break. 
•    Carry some emergency bits and pieces such as a 1m length of 3mm Dyneema, some cable ties and roll of spare electrical tape, which could be used to fix a load of issues.
•    Carry a multi tool and a knife in the event of entrapment.

Consider developing a checklist for your boat that you could use before you go out.  It could include checking that:
•    knots are secure on the traveller ends, halyards, mainsheet ends.
•    pins on shackles and blocks are done up and/or secured
•    there are no broken or rusty strands on stays and halyards
•    fittings are not rusty or corroded
•    toe straps, or their attachments, or not too worn
•    ropes are in in good condition, especially where they are cleated (main halyard, vang ….)
•    the tiller extension fitting is properly secured to the tiller (they can pop off).  Think about taping it up.
•    the tiller extension joint is not deteriorating (they break eventually but you can see them deteriorating first)
•    that the dagger board is tied/clipped in, if it is not fixed
•    bungs and hatch covers are all present and fitted
•    you have something to use as a tow line such as a spare mainsheet.  (In an emergency you could use the mainsheet of your mate being towed.)
•    you can use something as a paddle (could be an extendable one or a single handed 'praddle' similar to what the Optimist sailors use).

The Weather
It is a fairly basic skill of sailing to look up the weather, either on the BOM, or your favourite app, before you go sailing.  Check the forecast and real time data too (the forecast might not be right).  Stay well within your ability and physical limits. With limited safety support we should also limit the conditions we set sail in too.

Don’t forget to check the tides and understand which way they flow.   The tide, its direction, how strong it is and when it is changing, can have an effect on your decision about the direction to head in first.

Consider the direction of the wind and current so that you might be able to get back after a breakage.  Heading upwind of your starting point enables the possibility of drifting home (unless a big change is predicted!).

It’s not quite the weather, but try and sail early or in the middle of the day if possible so that there is more daylight remaining if things go wrong.

State Maritime Requirements
There could also be state maritime legislations you need to follow to ensure you have the correct equipment on board.

The Location
Where are the local hazards:  reefs, sandbars, submerged trees, no boating zones etc?  Are there jelly fish at this time of year?  Are there crocodiles in the area?

On a small lake drifting onto the far shore might not be a large issue, however, be careful if you are going out onto open water in an offshore breeze unless you have other back up in place to help you return, like adequate safety cover.

You and Your skills
It is always best to sail with a buddy, ideally one capable of towing you home, and preferably have a spotter onshore to look out for you.  Agree on a plan with your buddy and how you will communicate. Stay together.

Be confident of your ability to self-recover from a capsize.  If you can’t, then don’t go. Consider fitting righting lines which can provide an easier hold than the gunwales and are easier to reach for those with shorter arms. 

Avoid the risk of entrapment.  Make sure that you understand where the entrapment risks are on your boat (perhaps brainstorm the situation with others in your class) and come up with ideas to reduce these. Things worthy of consideration include keeping sheets as short as possible and avoiding tangles while you sail, and thinking about the gear that you are wearing and whether it can get caught on fittings.

Those sailing dinghies with trapezes should all make sure that their harnesses are in good order and carry knifes appropriate for self-rescue.

Your Sailing Gear
ALWAYS wear an appropriate life jacket.  Make yourself visible.  Wear a bright top (red, orange, yellow, bright blue) as they are more easily spotted if you are parted from your boat or drifting on a turtled hull. There is too much dull black, white and grey sailing kit out there.
Make sure that you have enough sailing gear on to keep you warm if the conditions are, or could turn, cold.

Avoid the risk of head injury.  Consider wearing a helmet or rigid cap insert.  Both have become increasingly common and are especially useful on windier days and if sailing without support.  Sailors more at risk of a bump from the boom may be tall, less agile, new to dinghies or learning. Also, the young, the old or those with previous concussion may be more at risk of sustaining concussion. 

Stay alert when sailing and try to avoid inadvertent crash gybes. Be aware when you are gybing and keep it under control.  

Communicating with Others
Particularly if you plan to sail alone, let someone onshore know your trip intentions and the estimated time that you are due back so that the authorities can be alerted if you don’t return as planned.  It’s even better if your onshore buddy can monitor the conditions too!  There is something very comforting about knowing that someone will come looking for you if things go wrong.

Always make sure that you have some way of communicating with others - there are many ways that you could consider doing this including carrying a:
•    Whistle - easy in the front of your lifejacket
•    Phone (good waterproof cases are commonplace now). Have the phone easily accessible and the numbers of key people you might need to call ready on speed dial so you can rapidly call if needed.
•    VHF/marine band radio if you have one. 
•    Personal locating beacon (PLB) or EPIRB
•    Smoke flare
Think about how these might work if you were to be separated from your boat.

Have Fun
We all go sailing because we love it.  Making sure that you consider the things above when you go sailing to help keep things safe for you and our sport fun for everyone.

Bronwyn Ridgway
Adapted with permission from Peter Barton, RS Aero Class Association Manager and the RS Aero Class