We want you to enjoy fantastic Norfolk boat holidays with us, and we want to make sure you enjoy the Broads safely.
Read our safety advice before your visit.
Watch our Safety on the Broads Guide
Wear your buoyancy jacket – all of you – all the time you are on deck, on the bank when mooring and any other time as you might fall into the water.
Ensure you wear flat-soled, non-slip rubber shoes when onboard
Hold on – never take risks that may result in your falling in. Always hold on to grab rails. Always insist that non-swimmers stay in the cockpit whilst the boat is in motion.
Give help quickly if anyone falls in, either by hooking their clothes with a boat hook or by throwing a lifebelt. Ensure the engine is out of gear.
Make sure everyone aboard knows the location of all emergency equipment, lifebelt, fire extinguisher, fire blanket etc and ensure they are all free and ready for use.
Contact a boatyard immediately if you suspect a fuel or gas leak. They will gladly advise and help. 07880 726921
Make sure, when moored to the bank, quay or another craft, that the hull of your boat is protected by fenders. At all other times, leave the fenders down, hanging neatly half way between deck and water. They can be a valuable safety aid if anyone falls overboard and needs something to grasp onto.
Use your boathook with care. Never spike it into decks and roofs of other craft to fend off.
Remember that on no account should you tow, or be towed by, other boats unless with professional assistance as towing can be an extremely hazardous operation if undertaken incorrectly.
Keep your mooring lines neatly coiled on deck when not in use and do not unnecessarily clutter the deck areas. It makes life much easier and reduces the risk of trip hazards.
Make sure a responsible crew member handles the ropes when mooring, particularly in tidal areas. (Young children should not carry out mooring procedures).
Use your buoyancy jacket for bathing.
Jump off a moving boat – if you fall it may crush you.
Approach anyone in the water stern first – that’s where the propellor is
Attempt to stop your boat by pushing it with your foot or hand. Boats are far too heavy and you risk serious injury.
Throw any rope, line or debris (watch out especially in shallow water) which may get round your propellor.
Use the Gas Appliances i.e. Cooker etc while the boat is in motion.
Allow extra people beyond the total crew you declared at the time of take-over without the boat operator’s prior authority. The ventilation and accommodation are designed for the number of crew advertised only. For example on Fair Sovereign 3, with the hull number 703S-8 never carry any more than the number after the hyphen, on Fair Sovereign this is 8 people.
Cruise after dark. You have no navigation lights and are not insured for
night time cruising.
Throw your anchor aboard from ashore.
Use the deck cleats for towing, or being towed by, other boats. They are to be used for mooring purposes only.
Run aground. Should you do so call the boat yard on 07880 726921 or river patrol.
Raise or lower a canopy, if you have one, except when moored. Make sure it is firmly fastened in windy conditions. It is lightly built and must not be stood on or used as a seat.
Step up on a dinghy’s gunwhale (edge) when climbing in and out. Step into the centre of it and be ready to balance the weight of others as they step into it.
Tow your dinghy more than three or four feet behind your boat. Rowlocks should be unshipped when not in use and the mast must not be up.
Allow the mast and sail to protrude over the dinghy’s bow.
Jump off the boat when mooring up. Wait until the boat is against the quay heading and step carefully onto the bank. Be careful of wet or slippery quay heading or grass.
Please follow these instructions when approaching every bridge
1. Slow Down
2. Check bridge height clearance of your boat and always ensure you have enough space between sides and roof or bridge to pass through with ease. A marker gauge on either side of the bridge will indicate the height clearance of the bridge.
3. Approach every bridge with canopy and screen lowered
4. Ensure that loose equipment is removed from cabin tops and remove TV aerial and store inside the boat
5. No persons are allowed on cabin tops or decks while passing under bridge
You must use the Pilot service (Telephone 07775 297638) to navigate for you.
Please note we operate this service and will be only to happy to take you through the bridge at no charge.
You must use the Pilot service (Telephone 07990 686097) to navigate for you.
The fee of £10 is payable to the Pilot.
Navigation of bridges is always at the Pilot’s discretion.
