What If the Skipper Is No Longer on Board?

An incident in Croatia this summer showed how quickly a rental boat trip can become a situation where every minute matters.

At our yacht charter agency, we have talked for years with first-time sailing yacht and catamaran guests, as well as those who have been at sea for decades. From experience, we can say something that may sound unusual: even if you are not a skipper, you should know the basics of safety on board.

You do not have to know how to handle a catamaran. You do not have to know how to enter a marina. You do not have to know how to read a nautical chart.

But you must know how to call for help.

This really happened this summer

In July this year, near Šolta in Croatia, the kind of accident discussed only after it is too late took place. A charter catamaran was sailing south of island of Šolta when a rope became wrapped around the propeller. According to available information, the Austrian skipper tried to free the rope, then fell into the sea in very difficult conditions.

The sea was very rough, with waves around two and a half metres high. The skipper quickly moved away from the boat. The other crew members tried to throw him a rope, but after several minutes they could no longer see him.

Six Austrian crew members remained on the catamaran. All were unharmed, but without the person operating the boat. The charter company arranged a replacement skipper.

The search was extensive. Rescue boats, police vessels, an aircraft, a helicopter and later a drone took part as the search area expanded.

But another moment in the story is particularly interesting to us.

What if the skipper is no longer on board?

This brings us to a question every guest on a charter boat should ask before setting off:

What will we do if something happens to the skipper?

The fact is simple. If you are on a boat with a professional skipper, it is easy to assume that safety is his responsibility. He knows where you are, how to use the VHF radio, how to navigate and whom to contact.

But what if he is suddenly not there?

At sea, things can change very quickly.

We therefore recommend that at least one more person on board knows the basic safety procedures. That person does not have to become a skipper. It is enough to know where the VHF radio is, how to switch it on and how to explain where the boat is.

One coordinate can change rescue operations

MRCC (Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre), the centre responsible for coordinating maritime search and rescue, is the usual name for the national service coordinating search and rescue at sea. Depending on the country, such centres coordinate with rescue services and direct assistance to vessels or people in danger. Together with coastal radio stations, the centre maintains a continuous radio watch on internationally designated distress, urgency and safety channels.

In an emergency, it is not enough to say: “We are somewhere south of this large island.” That is information, but not a precise location.

If the exact position of a boat or person in danger is unknown, the area to search can be enormous. The search may require boats, police vessels, aircraft, helicopters and other units.

That is why we remembered the experience we heard from Captain Siniša Čutul from the MRCC. When the crew could not explain their position, he calmly guided them through getting their coordinates on a phone.

Step by step.

They obtained what was most important to rescue services – their exact coordinates.

Well done, Captain Siniša !

Such composure in a crisis can make a difference.

How to find your GPS coordinates on your phone?

This is simple. We recommend trying it while still in the marina. Do not wait until you need it.

Android

1. Open Google Maps.
2. Tap the icon showing your current location to get the blue dot.
3. On the map, tap and hold on your location or very close to it to place a pin.
4. Google Maps will display the geographical coordinates, or latitude and longitude.
5. You can write down or copy the coordinates and send them to the person coordinating the rescue.

Google states that Maps uses GPS, Wi-Fi and mobile tower data to determine location, with GPS using satellites.

iPhone

1. Open the Compass app.
2. Make sure Location Services are enabled.
3. Your current coordinates should appear at the bottom of the screen.
4. Tap the coordinates to open your location in Maps.

Apple explicitly states that Compass on iPhone displays the current location and coordinates when Location Services are enabled.

Can your phone find your location without a signal?

Yes.

Remember that.

The GPS/GNSS receiver can determine your position using satellites without a mobile signal. A mobile network is not needed for GPS to determine your position. Mobile signal and Wi-Fi can help estimate location faster, but they are not the same as GPS.

The problem comes when you need to send that information.

If there is no mobile network, you cannot send a normal SMS. With Wi-Fi or another internet connection, you can send a message online. Without any communication connection, you can at least see the coordinates on screen – and that is when VHF radio becomes important.

VHF radio is not just for the skipper

On a charter boat with VHF, we recommend that one crew member besides the skipper knows its basic use.

You do not need to learn maritime radiotelegraphy. You do not need to become a radio operator.

Know where the radio is, how to turn it on, and how to tell the other side what you see on your phone.

For example:

“Our position is 43 degrees 20 minutes north, 16 degrees 10 minutes east.”

That is far more useful than: “We are somewhere between those two large islands.”

Regulations distinguish required radio equipment by vessel type and navigation area; for yachts, VHF is part of the prescribed equipment. Radio equipment must enable communication in distress and safety situations and transmission and reception during rescue operations.

Take two minutes before departure

For every guest setting out for a week-long rental, we recommend something very simple.

Ask the skipper operating the rented boat:

• Where is the VHF radio?
• Which channel do we use for emergencies?
• How do I turn it on?
• How can I see our GPS coordinates?
• How can I pass them on to someone?

That is all.

You do not have to know how to operate a boat to be a useful crew member in an emergency.

Our guests generally go to sea for their holiday, and that is how it should be. We do not want to frighten anyone unnecessarily or turn a holiday into a survival course.

From experience, we also know this: it is best to think about safety while everything is calm.

When the weather changes, the skipper is unavailable or something unexpected happens, there is no time to learn.

Then it is enough to know one thing.

Know where you are.

If you can clearly communicate that to the MRCC or another rescue service, you may have taken the most important step towards getting help quickly.

We can say with certainty: those few minutes of preparation before departure are worth more than they seem.