Harbour Facilities
Slipway and Tenders Safety Advice
Using the Slipway Safely
- BEFORE launching and retrieving your boat always check what the tide and weather conditions are.
- The main slipway in Yarmouth has a VERTICAL DROP at the end of it; this is marked by an ORANGE MARKER BUOY and a BLUE SIGN on the quay wall. Please be aware of this VERTICAL DROP at all times (especially before launching and retrieving your boat).
- BEWARE of other people using the slipway before making your way onto it.
- BEFORE reversing your car and trailer onto the slipway please make sure you have a safety line attached to your trailer.
- The slipway can be SLIPPERY AT ANY TIME, so please be aware of this.
- Leave your car IN GEAR when turning your engine off.
- Make sure that the BUNG is in the back of your boat before launching; NO BUNG WILL RESULT IN SINKING.
- DON'T FORGET to tie your boat up safely whilst clearing the slipway.
- DO NOT leave your car and trailer unattended at any time.
- Remember to leave the slipway as you found it, keeping it safe for other slipway users.
- Leave the slipway as safely and as quickly as possible.
Using Your Tender Safely
- Make sure when you are pumping up your tender that you have the right amount of air in it before using it.
- Please have the name clearly displayed on your tender.
- Be careful when launching the tender from your boat – make sure that the area is clear of people, boats, and wash.
- If you are using an outboard engine make sure you take some oars with you in case of engine failure.
- Check that you have enough fuel to get you where you are going and back again.
- ALWAYS make sure that everyone in the tender is wearing a lifejacket.
- ALWAYS take a V.H.F. radio and/or a mobile phone with you at all times.
- Put a torch, or some form of lighting, in the tender with you in case it gets dark to allow other harbour users to see you.
- Get in your tender sensibly, DO NOT jump in.
- BEWARE of other people’s wash when entering your tender.
- DO NOT overload your tender with people or belongings (it is always better to make two trips and be safe).
- Make yourself and others aware of the wind and tide conditions.
- IF CHILDREN ARE ALONE make sure that they are also aware of the weather and tide conditions.
- OTHER HARBOUR USERS TO BE AWARE OF: Harbour taxis (especially at night); berthing masters; other yachts and motor boats manoeuvring; sailing dinghies entering and leaving the harbour, and other tenders which may not have a torch to make themselves seen in the dark.
- When tying up please use a LONG painter; remember it isn’t only you using that area to tie your tender up.
- ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT IF YOU ARE UNSURE WHETHER YOU ARE GOING TO BE SAFE OR IF YOU HAVE ANY DOUBTS YARMOUTH HARBOUR RUN A WATER TAXI SERVICE (YOU MAY CALL THE TAXI ON V.H.F. Ch. 15).
