Taking infants on board
Discussion
Any recommendations (apart from "just don't!") on taking small children on small boats (ribs/rowing/cruisers etc on sea and river)?
I've got a 1 year old daughter, and appreciate having a wriggly toddler on board is not ideal at any time. But I reckon she would love the experience, and would have thought with some common sense and extra safety precautions a small family could still have a rewarding time out on the water.
Certainly, close supervision (and the clear responibility of an adult on board at any one time) is a given, but does anyone have any advice around suitable lifejackets, tethers (if appropriate) or general rules on carrying infants or small children on boats?
I've got a 1 year old daughter, and appreciate having a wriggly toddler on board is not ideal at any time. But I reckon she would love the experience, and would have thought with some common sense and extra safety precautions a small family could still have a rewarding time out on the water.
Certainly, close supervision (and the clear responibility of an adult on board at any one time) is a given, but does anyone have any advice around suitable lifejackets, tethers (if appropriate) or general rules on carrying infants or small children on boats?
A correctly fitting life jacket is a must at all times, & plenty of factor 50 block and hat if the sun is out. I don't think I would ever tether anyone to a small boat, a yacht yes, but not a rowing boat, dinghy or rib. If it got turned over by a freak wave or wake from a large boat I would much rather they bob around in a brightly coloured life jacket free of the boat than tethered to it.
I'm currently looking round for a sailing dinghy to take my little 3 year old out in this summer, I can't wait!!!
I'm currently looking round for a sailing dinghy to take my little 3 year old out in this summer, I can't wait!!!
All three of mine came boating from 3/6 months and it's not that hard if you are all competent around boats to start with. I'd be cautious if you have no experience yourself as the last thing you need when gaining your own confidence is a small child relying on you.
The trick is getting them in lifejackets in the first place and then keeping them on. Start out right with lifejacket on whilst on the bank or you don't get onboard. If they take it off then get off the boat immediately. See too many parents handling a kid that's refusing and get on the boat to have the argument. Madness.
Kids up to about 7 or 8 need to have lifejackets with straps under the crotch. They not only can slip through if they raise their arms in the water but also you will have no purchase to lift them out of the water. I've always made a point of lifting them up when putting the jackets on to make sure it's secure.
Never been keen on tethers as you are attaching the child to something else that could fall overboard, sink or get trapped. Not many kids carry a knife to get themselves out of trouble.
Most important is your own safety gear. Most kids will survive falling in the water without any problems and the last thing they need is a fully clothed but unlifejacketed adult jumping in after them.
And remember kids have no concept of boats coming alongside or ropes round them. Trapped fingers or ropes round the neck are the adults responsibility so never let them out of sight and be aware of the dangers.
The trick is getting them in lifejackets in the first place and then keeping them on. Start out right with lifejacket on whilst on the bank or you don't get onboard. If they take it off then get off the boat immediately. See too many parents handling a kid that's refusing and get on the boat to have the argument. Madness.
Kids up to about 7 or 8 need to have lifejackets with straps under the crotch. They not only can slip through if they raise their arms in the water but also you will have no purchase to lift them out of the water. I've always made a point of lifting them up when putting the jackets on to make sure it's secure.
Never been keen on tethers as you are attaching the child to something else that could fall overboard, sink or get trapped. Not many kids carry a knife to get themselves out of trouble.
Most important is your own safety gear. Most kids will survive falling in the water without any problems and the last thing they need is a fully clothed but unlifejacketed adult jumping in after them.
And remember kids have no concept of boats coming alongside or ropes round them. Trapped fingers or ropes round the neck are the adults responsibility so never let them out of sight and be aware of the dangers.
My son has been sailing since he was 6 weeks old. Initially in a gimbled baby bouncer on our Hunter Sonata with a baby life jacket. Then more recently on our 26 foot beneteau sailing yacht with life jacket on.
Before he is allowed on the pontoon he has always had to wear his lifejacket. Now age 5 he knows it's the rules and reminds us. He us clipped on if out of the cockpit and quickly learnt to hold on If walking to bow. He has also been schooled ropes are dangerous unless advised otherwise by an adult.
When he was crawling we had a car seat fixed down below we could strap him into while berthing etc. Now he just has to sit still.
Same process now being followed for number 2 child.
There are loads of books about taking kids sailing and loads of different advice, often conflicting.
My wife and I have both been sailing for years so can single hand pretty much everything with the other looking after kids if required.
Other thing to consider is the journeys you can do with kids. A decent sail for us most says is a quick hop from Hamble to Cowes but as they grow up and can do more so it will grow. This again depends upon the type if kid you have.
Go for it, plan and ensure all options have been thought through and be willing to change plans so you enjoy it. My son loves playing with the hose and washing the boat as well as mucking about in the tender. He also loves being on the boat as the forepeak is his room with boat toys.
Good luck. Just my views I am sure others will differ. We use kids crewsaver life jackets 150 newtons I think with buoyancy and air bladders for both kids.
Before he is allowed on the pontoon he has always had to wear his lifejacket. Now age 5 he knows it's the rules and reminds us. He us clipped on if out of the cockpit and quickly learnt to hold on If walking to bow. He has also been schooled ropes are dangerous unless advised otherwise by an adult.
When he was crawling we had a car seat fixed down below we could strap him into while berthing etc. Now he just has to sit still.
Same process now being followed for number 2 child.
There are loads of books about taking kids sailing and loads of different advice, often conflicting.
My wife and I have both been sailing for years so can single hand pretty much everything with the other looking after kids if required.
Other thing to consider is the journeys you can do with kids. A decent sail for us most says is a quick hop from Hamble to Cowes but as they grow up and can do more so it will grow. This again depends upon the type if kid you have.
Go for it, plan and ensure all options have been thought through and be willing to change plans so you enjoy it. My son loves playing with the hose and washing the boat as well as mucking about in the tender. He also loves being on the boat as the forepeak is his room with boat toys.
Good luck. Just my views I am sure others will differ. We use kids crewsaver life jackets 150 newtons I think with buoyancy and air bladders for both kids.
MOTORVATOR said:
All three of mine came boating from 3/6 months and it's not that hard if you are all competent around boats to start with. I'd be cautious if you have no experience yourself as the last thing you need when gaining your own confidence is a small child relying on you.
The trick is getting them in lifejackets in the first place and then keeping them on. Start out right with lifejacket on whilst on the bank or you don't get onboard. If they take it off then get off the boat immediately. See too many parents handling a kid that's refusing and get on the boat to have the argument. Madness.
Kids up to about 7 or 8 need to have lifejackets with straps under the crotch. They not only can slip through if they raise their arms in the water but also you will have no purchase to lift them out of the water. I've always made a point of lifting them up when putting the jackets on to make sure it's secure.
Never been keen on tethers as you are attaching the child to something else that could fall overboard, sink or get trapped. Not many kids carry a knife to get themselves out of trouble.
Most important is your own safety gear. Most kids will survive falling in the water without any problems and the last thing they need is a fully clothed but unlifejacketed adult jumping in after them.
And remember kids have no concept of boats coming alongside or ropes round them. Trapped fingers or ropes round the neck are the adults responsibility so never let them out of sight and be aware of the dangers.
Agree lifelines are not the best, if the boat is moving and they fall out it is better to be clear of the boat, in normal sea conditions / weather.The trick is getting them in lifejackets in the first place and then keeping them on. Start out right with lifejacket on whilst on the bank or you don't get onboard. If they take it off then get off the boat immediately. See too many parents handling a kid that's refusing and get on the boat to have the argument. Madness.
Kids up to about 7 or 8 need to have lifejackets with straps under the crotch. They not only can slip through if they raise their arms in the water but also you will have no purchase to lift them out of the water. I've always made a point of lifting them up when putting the jackets on to make sure it's secure.
Never been keen on tethers as you are attaching the child to something else that could fall overboard, sink or get trapped. Not many kids carry a knife to get themselves out of trouble.
Most important is your own safety gear. Most kids will survive falling in the water without any problems and the last thing they need is a fully clothed but unlifejacketed adult jumping in after them.
And remember kids have no concept of boats coming alongside or ropes round them. Trapped fingers or ropes round the neck are the adults responsibility so never let them out of sight and be aware of the dangers.
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