What? I don't need to do no stinkin safety briefing.

Every time we have guests on board, whether they've been on board before or not, I do a safety briefing. It's relatively basic and takes only a few minutes, but I ALWAYS do it.

Here are the main points of my briefing:
1. Here is where the life jackets are stored.
2. Here are some of the locations where fire extinguishers are kept.
3. Please do not try to help with any docking maneuvers. Tina and I can handle it. We do it all the time.
4. Here's how the head works. (Note: In this part of the briefing I get kind of down and dirty and address not putting feminine products in the toilet, not using big wads of paper to wipe, etc.)

Some of the women who haven't heard my briefing before blush and seem a bit surprised that I would address such personal stuff, but when I tell them that these kinds of products will definitely plug the head and we'll know who did it because it will be all plugged up.

5. I tell them not to go outside the transom door nor up on the side walkways because if they fall overboard we probably won't notice it until the end of the cruise. Only Tina and I are allowed through the transom door or on the side walkways.

I explain a bit of the layout of the boat, where the radio is and DO NOT USE IT UNLESS WE'RE SINKING!!! The VHF is not a toy and I don't want them blathering on the radio about how pretty a certain boat is.

I tell them our main concern is safety of everyone on board and the second concern is for them to have a great time while on board.

For you other skippers, do you do a safety briefing when you have guests on board? What do you cover?

I do when strangers to my boat or non-boaters are aboard before getting underway.

Introduce myself as Captain and my responsibility today for everyone’s fun and safety.
If anything gets your attention today let me know ASAP.

Then, ask if everyone can swim?
Not joking...I want/need to know.

Life jackets.
Everyone is given a jacket to have while on deck and will need to keep track of it.
Rarely (if ever) is it worn but, it’s out and available.
Used as a pillow or backrest mostly.
Also, the location of the rest of the jackets is made known.
I believe wearing your floatation device while underway is the absolute safest way to go but, admit not adhering to that.

Fire extinguisher location and brief instructions on it’s use.
This is easy because, almost every cabinet has one screwed to the inside of the door and others are in plain sight.

Cabin entry and exit.
There are only TWO ways in or out.
The cabin sliding door is the normal way we expect to use today and it will remain latched open unless the crew closes it.
(By the way you are a guest today, not crew)
In an emergency the forward cabin hatch is the only other way out of the cabin. It’s will not be used for normal access to the bow.
Mention all cabin doors are to be fixed open with the catch or closed to prevent a swinging door from injuring somebody.

Bathroom briefing is necessarily through on the use toilet because, the day is immediately over if the head becomes clogged.
Plan to flush several times with small amounts of paper.

Mention the “1 hand for the boat” rule.
If moving around, try to always have one hand holding the boat Incase of an unexpected movement.

I point out the 2 separate VHF radios and the SOS button on the handset incase I’m dead.

Mention not to touch anything in the electrical panel or at the helm.

Garbage location.
As a rule we never toss anything overboard.

Brief to remain seated during docking.
I can normally dock unassisted but, my crew knows how to help if necessary.

And other things as they pop up through out the day.
People tend to get the hang of it pretty quick but, never want to be totally blasé about the managed risk of enjoying the water.

We're pretty much on the same page as all of the above.

The only thing that we do different, is when we show them the life jackets, we make sure that they know how to put them on and that there is a proper fit.

No one has ever seemed to mind or give any attitude. Most times people ask about potty procedures again the 1st time that they use the head, I suppose to be respectful and make sure that they have it down right.

We also try to give non-boaters a job, such as keeping a lookout for traffic or watching the stern during docking procedures, I feel like it keeps them occupied and gives them a sense of purpose!

We try not to be too stern, but my number one thing is I like silence during docking, tunes gets turned off and we ask our passengers to try to be quiet.

Other that that we only have a few rules:
No shoes worn on the inside of the boat, no paper or products down the toilet, make sure that you re-latch the fridge while underway, try not to touch the steering wheel, no drama and have fun! I think that if you're not smiling while underway or at the dock, there's something wrong.

I'm surprised you don't have them muster on the dock in formation and have them board one at a time, with a salute requesting permission to board then a salute towards the flag.

While I’m not real formal about it, I cover basically the same points as you do in casual conversation with new guests before we leave the dock.
One additional thing I usually do is ask them to either remain seated or in the cabin during docking or anchoring.
The only subject that guests seem to have problems hearing about sometimes is operation of the heads. Some get embarrassed looks on their faces, and others try to cut it short by telling me they’ve been on another boat and know how to use the heads. I try to start that subject by saying there are several types of marine heads, each having unique operating instructions. I also laminated written instructions and keep a copy in both heads so guests can refer to it privately without embarrassment.

When I have new people on board I give a safety briefing. Life jacket location, fire extinguisher locations, and use of the head.

I pretty much follow what everyone has said.

However I instruct them on the "Rule of 3".

Use 3 sheets...
3 times...
Flush for 3 seconds...
Or you will clean out the resulting clog for 3 hours...

I haven't had a issue since I started giving that. It is humorous enough that they usually remember it.

We point out safety features and requirements. I have a one page liability waver form that all guests must fill out and sign before a trip. At our age 70+ people get sick and die. My form stated medical attention could be a few days away. I also request a contact list if they need medical attention and next of kin. The liability of some one being hurt or dying on your boat could result in you loosing all you have. We have liability insurance but the most we can get is 2 million.

northern said:

We point out safety features and requirements. I have a one page liability waver form that all guests must fill out and sign before a trip. At our age 70+ people get sick and die. My form stated medical attention could be a few days away. I also request a contact list if they need medical attention and next of kin. The liability of some one being hurt or dying on your boat could result in you loosing all you have. We have liability insurance but the most we can get is 2 million.

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I assume you run a paid charter operation. I've never known a pleasure boater to make such a request.

I usually add in a little blurb about hypothermia risk, particularly here in the PNW. Summer weather here makes it real inviting to want to jump in the sound. It is swimmable but understanding how hypothermia works and the speed at which it can take affect is good to ensure all onboard understand.

Water temp of 40 to 50 degrees = HIGH risk of Hypothermia in 30 to 60 minutes (unconsciousness).

"We also try to give non-boaters a job, such as keeping a lookout for traffic or watching the stern during docking procedures, I feel like it keeps them occupied and gives them a sense of purpose!"
Strypes, I have everyone on the fry bridge watching for other traffic. I really don't want them saying anything when I'm backing into the slip so I don't think I'd suggest they assist by watching. I do ask them to take a seat, not talk, and the stereo is off when I'm backing.

"I'm surprised you don't have them muster on the dock in formation and have them board one at a time, with a salute requesting permission to board then a salute towards the flag."
Ronn, I never thought of that, thanks. When I do the briefing I make it light hearted and fun, and I usually get a lot of smiles and wise cracks from the guys.

"However I instruct them on the "Rule of 3".
Use 3 sheets...
3 times...
Flush for 3 seconds...
Or you will clean out the resulting clog for 3 hours."
However I instruct them on the "Rule of 3".
Hmmmm, I really like that and may incorporate that into my briefing, right after they salute the flag when they come on board.

No charter. No one ever hurt or lost except me when I fell on a concrete dock and broke my arm. If some one falls on your slippery side walk you are liable. I did it after I hit an unmarked pile and put a 6" by 2 foot hole in the boat below the waterline. If a 40 year old father was to drown and he made 200K a year I would be liable for his lost income and that would eat up my 2 million liability very quickly. We go north and every few years we hear about a boat being lost with all aboard. last one was a 36 foot power boat the Coast Guard asked for over a week for people to report if you had seen them. They seemed to have taken a short cut across 60 miles of open water. As far as I know they were never found.
If there and lawyers could you comment on waver liability form for guests.

northern said:

No charter. No one ever hurt or lost except me when I fell on a concrete dock and broke my arm. If some one falls on your slippery side walk you are liable. I did it after I hit an unmarked pile and put a 6" by 2 foot hole in the boat below the waterline. If a 40 year old father was to drown and he made 200K a year I would be liable for his lost income and that would eat up my 2 million liability very quickly. We go north and every few years we hear about a boat being lost with all aboard. last one was a 36 foot power boat the Coast Guard asked for over a week for people to report if you had seen them. They seemed to have taken a short cut across 60 miles of open water. As far as I know they were never found.
If there and lawyers could you comment on waver liability form for guests.

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Hope you have talked to a lawyer in your state, because that form you have your passengers sign won't hold up in court anyway. I'll defer to an attorney on this forum to provide specifics, but I've been down a similar path before in aviation. I had an attorney on retainer and wanted to use a form like you described, and he said it wouldn't hold up in court.

CaptRonn said:

Hope you have talked to a lawyer in your state, because that form you have your passengers sign won't hold up in court anyway. I'll defer to an attorney on this forum to provide specifics, but I've been down a similar path before in aviation. I had an attorney on retainer and wanted to use a form like you described, and he said it wouldn't hold up in court.

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Years ago I was involved in skydiving and we had a waiver that was signed basically stating that the skydiver understood that skydiving was a dangerous sport and injury or death could result. It held up in court.

Steve S said:

Years ago I was involved in skydiving and we had a waiver that was signed basically stating that the skydiver understood that skydiving was a dangerous sport and injury or death could result. It held up in court.

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It may have held, lots of variables though.

Gross negligence comes to mind as a way to invalidate a waiver. A good attorney can allege gross negligence and convince the jury.

Like I stated previous, the person needs to discuss this with an attorney in his state and fully understand how a waiver works and how it can be pierced. It's foolish to believe that piece of paper will absolve someone of liability.

Here's an interesting article that discusses several points: http://www.recmanagement.com/feature_print.php?fid=200611gc03

https://www.mwl-law.com/do-liability-waivers-really-work/

I get enough life jackets out for each person on board and tell them to put it somewhere near them. I also show them how to use the radio in the event of an emergency, and I define emergency so they aren't hitting the distress button for a broken fingernail. I will have to start telling them to sit and be quiet when docking. I haven't said anything to anyone yet other than to move over a bit so I can see but we have had some loud conversations going on while I'm docking and it is a distraction.

CaptRonn said:

It may have held, lots of variables though.

Gross negligence comes to mind as a way to invalidate a waiver. A good attorney can allege gross negligence and convince the jury.

Like I stated previous, the person needs to discuss this with an attorney in his state and fully understand how a waiver works and how it can be pierced. It's foolish to believe that piece of paper will absolve someone of liability.

Here's an interesting article that discusses several points: http://www.recmanagement.com/feature_print.php?fid=200611gc03

https://www.mwl-law.com/do-liability-waivers-really-work/

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Agreed. The waiver wouldn't stand up to gross negligence. Most of the issues were of the sprained/broken leg variety and the waiver held up that they were trained for landings and the few that did go to court were quickly dismissed after the plaintiff agreed they did not follow the procedures that they were trained to perform.
One of the fatalities family tried to invalidate the waiver but when it was found that the deceased had disconnected his safety devices - again the waiver stood up. Again this was many years ago before society started blaming everyone else for things that happened and people took more personal resposnibility than today.
And to think - I was an instructor without any liability insurance back then... but I didn't have much to take either.

The paper didn't absolve the liability but it stood up that we followed established procedures and trained people properly. Unless gross negligence was proved, it put more of the liability on the student.

And you are correct - a person should discuss this with an attorney in their state and not from reading about it on the internet.

Good to see people put some value in this. I've had first timer's onboard the vessel and they chuckle and say "hey, the pilot in you is coming out". Ya, doing .82M seven or eight miles in the sky is a pretty hostile environment, but I remind them things can go sideways and water can be very unforgiving as well.

As far as the liability referenced, I'm no lawyer - but I wouldn't be surprised if it was somewhat similar to aviation. As Captain, Pilot in Command, I am responsible for every soul onboard, the aircraft itself, and every soul and piece of property I fly over. I would imagine something similar applies to boating.....

Much like Fly'n Family, I fly for a living so briefings are pretty routine.

My brief is pretty simple - Here is how to use the toilet. Don't touch the radio or anything on the dashboard. Don't try to stop a 25,000 lb boat with your hands or legs, the engine do that. If you are under 18 or a male, do not lay out on the front of the boat.


And finally...

We go north where there is little instant help. Old people are more susceptible to injury and illness. I make sure they give me a list of people to contact if they need help or die. We used to own an arctic tour company we had a waver form all signed that a lawyer created. The purpose was to ensure people knew what could happen and what we could do to help them. We did not have an axe to cut wood (had hand saws) as the risk of injury was too great. If one was to cut an artery they probably would have died by the time a plane came and got them. The purpose of the boat waver is to make people aware of boating risks. We found that when people know they are responsible for their action they are more careful. We all agree to a waver every time we fly. If the plane blows up you get your ticket price back and a bit more.
We all have our own ways to ensure the safety of those on board and that is good.
Good discussion and boat safely.