Broads Authority issues guidance ahead of Bank Holiday Weekend

Even experienced Broads users can be caught out by a sudden, unexpected turn of events. In May last year, a gentleman with more than forty years’ experience on Broadland craft of all kinds was caught up in an unforeseen accident when moving around his boat without a life jacket. He was lucky to escape with his life. (True story shared with permission, name changed for privacy.)

It was a calm morning and David* was preparing to move his boat from the yard for a short trip to get a pump-out, something he had done hundreds of times before.

He had started to untie the boat from the quay but had not yet put his lifejacket on… a mistake he was soon to regret. It all happened so quickly. A gust of wind caught the boat. David was caught off balance and he fell, hitting his head on the boat before ending up in the water.

Unconscious and without a life jacket to hold him up in the water, David’s life hung in the balance.

David and his family were lucky to escape tragedy that morning. An adjacent boat owner was alerted and called the emergency services. Another boat owner and his crew came and managed to pull David into their dinghy. Boatyard staff were very supportive and emergency services immediately started CPR. David was rushed to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital by air ambulance where he spent the next fortnight recovering as an in-patient. He will always be deeply grateful for all the support and care he received from so many people.

Head of Safety Management at the Broads Authority, Matt Dane says:

“The message is clear. When moving around a boat, preparing it for use, getting on and off it or when casting off and mooring, it is always essential to wear a life jacket. Wearing a life jacket is the easiest and best thing you can do to protect yourself.”

Life jackets should be worn by all those spending time on the water and are available in sizes for children of all ages. Dog owners who enjoy the waterways can also invest in a life jacket for their pets.

Promoting water safety is a key aspect of the work of the Broads Authority’s Communications and Safety teams, and the summer months see a greater focus to coincide with the influx of seasonal visitors.

From taking part in the annual RNLI campaign ‘National Prevention of Death by Drowning Week’ to pop-up Broads Ranger ‘Super Safety Days’, the Authority is committed to ensuring everyone gets home safely after a wonderful visit to the Broads. Quay Rangers are stationed at the busiest parts of the Broads during the summer season and can help with mooring and setting off, as well as advising on safe ways to navigate the waterways.

Prop safety has also been a focus. Earlier this year the Broads Authority issued stickers warning people of the dangers of propellors, with one thousand stickers printed and shared with boat hire businesses operating on the Broads.

A couple of new social media films have highlighted how quickly things can go wrong on the water. On 5 August the Broads Authority published CCTV footage of another near-miss accident at Great Yarmouth Yacht Station, viewed 97,000 times on the Broads Authority Facebook page. More recently the Authority has used social media to highlight the hidden dangers of propellors.

The Broads Authority uses social media, including Facebook, X and an email alerts system to publish Boating News (issues currently affecting users of the waterways), alongside other safety advice and daily tide times.

Water safety advice to keep in mind when navigating the waterways on a powered boat:

• Always wear a life jacket and watch your alcohol intake.
• Don’t reverse a boat towards someone in the water. If you need to rescue someone from the water using your boat, do so from the side if possible. If someone is in the water near the back of the boat, put the engine in neutral so the propeller blades are not spinning. If safe to do so, turn off the engine to ensure it cannot be activated accidentally whilst the person is recovered from the water.
• Never tow an inflatable with someone in it.
• Don’t allow anyone to dangle their legs in the water from a moving boat, especially from the back.
• Don't leave children unattended at the back of a moving boat.
• When moving around on board a moving boat - and especially when mooring - keep a hold of something. The slightest bump can easily knock you off balance.