Introduction
Traveling by ferry can be a serene and scenic experience, but have you ever wondered how to stay prepared for unexpected situations on the open water? With the gentle sway of the waves and the thrill of discovering new places, boats are a unique way to travel. Yet, ensuring your safety requires more than just boarding with your ticket in hand.
What steps should you take to feel secure? How can you prepare for emergencies without overthinking it? This guide goes over important safety tips that will give you the confidence to travel, so you can enjoy the trip while staying safety.
1. Know the safety features of the ferry.
To have a safe trip, you need to know about the safety features on board:
- Find Emergency Exits: When boarding, take note of the emergency exits and know how to get to them.
- Check Life Vests and Rafts: Identify where life vests are stored and make sure you know how to use them. Life rafts or boats may also be part of the emergency equipment.
- Follow the Safety Instructions: Read any written safety instructions that are given to you or pay close attention to crew announcements.
- Watch or Listen to Safety Briefings: Many ferries provide a safety demonstration or briefing before departure. Pay attention—it could save your life in an emergency.
2. Follow Crew Instructions
The ferry crew is trained to keep you safe, so follow their instructions:
- Follow All Instructions: Crew instructions are there to keep you safe, whether it’s about seating arrangements or safety zones.
- Avoid Restricted Areas: Don’t go into parts of the boat that aren’t meant for you, especially when it’s docking or the water is rough.
- Pay Attention to Announcements: Announcements let people know about important updates, like the weather conditions or how to dock.
3. Be Careful While Getting On and Off the Ferry
The boarding and disembarking process can be busy and chaotic, so it’s important to be careful:
- Use Handrails: When going up or down ramps, hold on to the railings, especially in wet or windy conditions.
- Watch Out for Wet Surfaces: Steps near boarding areas often have a tendency to slip. Be careful as you walk to avoid getting hurt.
- Help Fellow Passengers: Offer to help keep kids and older people safe if you’re going with them.
4. Avoid Getting Motion Sickness
A nice trip can become a painful ordeal if you get seasick. Here’s how to prevent it:
- Choose Your Seat Wisely: If you want to feel less motion, sit in the middle of the boat.
- Take Your Medication Early: If you get motion sickness easily, put on motion sickness tablets or patches about 30 minutes before departure.
- Stay Hydrated: Before you board, don’t eat or drink anything heavy or fizzy. Instead, drink water.
5. Keep Your Belongings Safe
Things that aren’t tied down can be dangerous or get lost on the trip:
- Store Luggage Properly: Store things in the right places to avoid blocking walkways or emergency exits.
- Keep Valuables Close: Wallets, phones, and passports should stay in a safe bag that is easy to get to.
- Avoid Leaving Items Unattended: Theft does happen, though not often. Pay close attention to your belongings.
6. Be Prepared for Emergencies
Knowing what to do can save lives even if emergencies don’t happen very often:
- Wear a Life Vest if Instructed: Get a life vest and know how to wear it correctly in case of an emergency. Listen to what the crew says about how to quickly put it on.
- Stay Calm: Panic can make things worse. Pay attention to what the crew says and do what they say.
- Help Others if Safe to Do So: Help kids, the old, or people who have trouble moving around if you can without putting yourself in danger.
- Avoid Obstructing Equipment: Never block access to emergency tools like fire extinguishers, life vests, or exits.
Summary
As long as you follow the right steps, a ferry ride can be both safe and fun. You can travel safely and with confidence if you know how to use the safety features, following crew instructions, and be ready for anything that might happen. Remember that being aware and ready are the first steps to safety, so keep these tips in mind before your next boat trip.