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).

PLEASE BE SAFE

Yarmouth Harbour

The Quay, Yarmouth, Isle of Wight, PO41 0NT

Telephone +44 (0)1983 760321 Email info@yarmouth-harbour.co.uk