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Stay safe on the Norfolk Broads by following the advice below:
 Wear
a life jacket
Life jackets should be worn by everyone whilst on deck, even by
those who can swim. The water is very cold throughout the year and
even strong swimmers can get into difficulty very quickly.
Watch
your speed
Speed limits on the broads are set to reduce boat wash. This in
turn reduces the erosion of the banks, lessening the disturbance
to water-level, nesting birds and people on moored boats. The speed
limit set ranges from 3-6 mph, but even if you are travelling under
the stated limit, you may still be fined if you are creating excess
wash.
Mooring
up and casting off
The majority of injuries occur when people jump on and off the
boat. Mooring up and casting off are probably the most difficult
things you have to do when handling a boat, but with good preparation
and some practice you should soon master it. Always make sure that
this job is given to the fittest adult and not a child and make
sure they are wearing a life-jacket. A mooring should always be
approached against the tide and sideways on.
Watch
your crew
Make sure you know where your crew are at all times. It is so easy
to lose someone overboard, especially a child, without anyone noticing.
It only takes a split second.
Do
not drink
Having an alcoholic drink whilst relaxing on the broads is, for
many people, all part of a boating holiday. It is strongly recommended
that the helmsman does not drink until the boat is moored up for
the night. The waterways can sometimes get quite congested and a
clear head is required.
No
swimming
Swimming in the broads and rivers can be very dangerous. Whilst
the water may look very appealing, especially on a hot day, it is
always very cold and cold shock can kill. There are also a lot of
underwater hazards such as weed, fast currents and naturally occurring
poisonous blue-green algae. The other danger is that you are virtually
invisible to other boaters with only your head above water.
Be
careful when approaching bridges
Always take down your canopy and get everybody off deck before
approaching a bridge. Make sure you are aware of the height of your
cruiser and check this against the gauge board on the bridge to
make sure you have clearance. It is essential that in the event
of a strong current the boat is fully under control before approaching
a bridge. Look out for other boats coming through; generally the
boat travelling with the current has right of way. Lastly, do not
raise your head until you are sure you are well clear of the bridge.
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