The most common cause of injuries on board a boat is from people losing their balance and falling over, or people colliding with one another or a hard object. The injuries sustained are more severe than you might first think - injuries to the face and jaw (teeth), broken bones, severe head injuries and burns are .

What Can You Do?
 

As a Responsible Skipper
 

• Know the 'rules of the road' at sea so you can avoid collisions
  
  
   
• Before setting out, brief your passengers about safety
• Make sure you keep the boat well-balanced when you stow gear
• Always apply throttle changes gently
• Avoid excessive speed, especially when conditions are rough
• Minimise the amount of alcohol you drink before or during a trip

Before heading out make your vessel a safe one
 

• Ensure appropriate safety equipment is on board and is in working
  condition
• Install hand rails
• Stow things away properly and avoid clutter

As a passenger
 

• Maintain your balance - one hand for the boat, one hand for yourself
• Go backwards down ladders
• Sit down in rough weather
• On sailing boats - watch out for the boom
• Don't drink to much booze