Safety in nautical activities

Thousands of Spanish and foreign citizens enjoy nautical activities on our shores. All of them must be aware that prevention is the basis of maritime safety. This section offers the main practical advice to carry out more safely each of the activities that take place at sea.

SIGNAGE ON THE BEACH

  • Bathe preferably in the lighted areas.
  • Supervise children when bathing.
  • Avoid sudden changes in body temperature.
  • Regarding the signs:
    • Green flag; Authorized bathroom.
    • Yellow flag; Dangerous bath
    • Red flag; Bathing prohibited.

RECREATION BOATS

BEFORE GOING TO SEA

  • Check the weather forecast for the area.
  • Check the condition of the boat. Use the check list.
  • Advise about your navigation plan.

DURING NAVIGATION

  • Keep watch.
  • Stay tuned for weather developments.
  • Respect the use of VHF channel 16 and stay tuned.

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY

  • Use the distress signals.
  • Don't abandon ship.
  • Do not attempt to swim to shore and stay in the vicinity of the boat if it capsizes.
  • If you have a radio beacon, activate it manually.

TO MAKE EMERGENCY CALLS

  • Tune in to VHF channel 16 or Medium Wave 2182Khz.
  • In case of serious and imminent danger: Preface your message with “MAY DAY MAY DAY MAY DAY”
  • If you need urgent help, but are not in imminent danger: Precede the message of “PAN PAN, PAN PAN, PAN PAN”

WINDSURF / SURF

BEFORE GOING TO SEA

  • Be aware of currents.
  • Be aware of weather conditions, especially the onshore wind, which can push you away from the coast.
  • Do not go out to sea in the evening.
  • Use isothermal suits and life preservers.
  • Inform someone of your plans and account for your return.

DURING NAVIGATION

  • Don't stray far from the coast.
  • Do not approach bathers.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY

  • Don't leave the table trying to swim to shore.
  • Make signals by slowly raising and lowering your arms.

DIVING

BEFORE GOING TO SEA

  • Do not dive alone.
  • Check the condition of the equipment and include a knife.
  • Protect yourself from the cold with isothermal suits.

DURING THE IMMERSION

  • Signal your presence with the appropriate buoy according to the modality.
  • Free diving: Orange.
  • Spearfishing and scuba diving: Buoy with blue and white flag.
  • Respect the decompression stages and ascend carefully to the surface.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY

  • Have a support person on the surface.

WATER SKIING

BEFORE GOING TO SEA

  • It is prohibited in ports, canals and signalized areas.
  • Wear a life jacket.

DURING NAVIGATION

  • In addition to the skipper of the boat, there must be someone waiting for the skier.
  • Do not approach bathers.

BOAT MOTORCYCLES

BEFORE GOING TO SEA

  • It is prohibited in ports, canals and signalized areas.
  • Wear a life jacket.
  • It is prohibited for minors under 18 years of age except those over 16 years of age with parental permission.
  • Motorcycles, including rental ones, must be registered and insured.
  • Communicate where you are going and when you will be back.

DURING NAVIGATION

  • Sail by day only.
  • Do not approach bathers.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY

  • If you are in trouble, do not separate from the motorcycle or try to swim to shore.
  • Make signals with your arms.
  • If you have signs, use them.
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