Advanced CSS Homework

3 Common Dangers at Sea

Collisions

Collision with other vessels is one of the most common dangers when on the water, potentially leading to falls. This can happen at both low and high speeds and can cause high amounts of damage to a boat.
Equipment failure

Equipment failure is another issue faced when at sea. Of course, the severity of this varies depending on what has failed. Secondary GPS failure isn’t a major issue, whereas Alternator or Engine Failure is catastrophic. In terms of mechanical issues and prevention, we recommend carrying out regular inspections, changing your oil and filters, and keeping the area clean of water ingress.
Vessel fires and capsizing

A much less likely scenario, although still possible, is the situation of the boat sinking, capsizing or catching fire. Whilst these are all very rare, they can be fatal, so it is important to know the risks and how to handle a potentially life-threatening emergency. In this scenario, having a VHF radio on board is critical. Having the ability to send out a mayday alert on Channel 16 to the coastguard, especially when combined with AIS info and a GPS fix, can drastically shorten the response time.