Safety, risk & environment study overview

Assess risk, prevent fire, respond to emergencies and protect the sea.

Practise observation and judgement using sailing scenarios. Interactive questions and your device-local progress load when JavaScript is available.

Study points

• Fire prevention, maintenance, clear escape routes and ready equipment are more effective than relying only on response.
• Protect life first. Follow the vessel’s fire plan; smoke and enclosed-space entry can be fatal, and extinguishers must suit the fire.
• CO can build up from engines, heaters or exhaust and may have no reliable smell or visible warning. Use alarms and ventilation.
• Assess combined risks and take timely measures. Safe decisions can include delaying or choosing an alternative route.
• Remove from exposure, handle gently, insulate and seek medical advice; severe hypothermia requires urgent care.
• Prevent pollution and comply with applicable discharge and waste rules. Never discharge oil or plastics into the sea.
• A briefing makes equipment accessible and enables people to act safely if the skipper cannot direct every task.
• A concise safety brief prepares crew for foreseeable emergencies and clarifies how to raise an alarm and help.

Educational revision only. Check current official rules, charts and publications before navigating.