Getting On and Off a Boat Safely

Most boat trouble starts at the dock, not offshore. Getting on and off a boat is a short move that decides whether the rest of the day goes smoothly.

Before You Step On Board

Get sorted while you stand on solid ground. Hand gear over to the crew first; free hands are what keep you steady.

• Wear shoes with real grip, never barefoot on a wet dock.
• Put your life vest on before you cross, not after.
• Keep keys and phone in a dry bag if you may transfer between boats.
• Ask permission before boarding any boat that is not yours.
• Wait for the calm moment between waves when dock and hull are moving.

Stepping Aboard Correctly

Ask someone on board to hold the boat against the dock and offer you a hand. Stay near the centre of the boat and do not twist as you step.

Aim for the deck floor, not the gunwale. One clean step with a slight bend in the knee beats two rushed ones.

If wind is above 15 knots, a second person passing gear is worth more than any technique. Load bags across, never carry them across.

Getting Off Is the Harder Half

You cannot see what you are stepping onto, so sit on the edge first. Then lower your feet until they find the dock and move your weight onto the dock, not back into the boat.

Never jump, and never step onto a wet edge. If the gap looks wide, get someone to pull the boat back in before you try.

Never carry heavy gear while stepping across a gap.

Plan the transfer before you leave the house: the B7R app gives you tide tables for Shuaiba and Shuwaikh ports, sea state, a fish guide, catch log, seasons, marine tools and an SOS emergency button — free on Google Play.

Wind, Tide and Small Boats

Tide changes the height of the dock relative to your boat, which changes how far you must step. Check the tide tables for Shuwaikh or Shuaiba before you leave, since a falling tide can leave you climbing or dropping further than expected.

With a small boat, add fenders, tie fore and aft, and keep everyone clear of the edge while lines are pulled tight.

Kids and Guests

Hold a child's hand every single time and teach them to sit in the middle while gear is moving. Tell every guest where the life vests are before the engine starts.

A calm instruction at the dock is worth more than a shouted one at sea.

Plan the Move, Then Move

Agree who steps first, who takes the bags, and where everyone sits. Count heads after boarding and count again before you cast off, because that number is the fastest way to catch a problem early.

Ten seconds of planning prevents most dock injuries.

Download the B7R marine app free on Google Play