Sea Safety for Water Sport Users in Weymouth and Portland
Plan your trip carefully. Always check the weather forecasts prior to your activity. The Shipping Forecast is broadcast from HM Portland Coastguard every four hours from 0220hrs on VHF channel 10, 72 & 86 and on BBC Radio 4.
Please make sure you carry the right lifesaving safety equipment such as distress flares, spare fuel and a paddle, VHF radio (mobile phones often don’t work at sea and cannot be relied upon as a means of communicating that you are in distress) and most importantly always wear a lifejacket.
Ensure you and your water craft are prepared for sea. The RNLI offer a SEA Safety Check which is a free face to face safety advisory service. It is not a test you pass or fail, but will help you make sure you have the right safety equipment on board. For more information and to book, please telephone 0800 328 0600. Weymouth and Portland offer a wide range of training establishments for most watersports to help you qualify for your chosen sport.
For long voyages please notify the local Maritime and Coastguard Agency of your departure and estimated time of return. For all shorter trips it is advisable to let a friend or relative know what you are doing and an estimated time of return. If you are overdue then someone will be able to notify the local coastguard unit.
Due to the nature of diving it is advisable that all boats radio the local coastguard unit to notify them of departure and estimated time of return.
We aim to promote safety at sea and would recommend that all precautions are taken to make your sport as safe as possible. The area is well equipped to deal with a wide range of watersport related accidents, these range from rescue by the RNLI Lifeboats, Coastguard Helicopter and a decompression chamber located in Poole.
If you get in difficulties or see others in trouble then please dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard or by using VHF Marine Radio Distress Channel 16.
Army units are trained on the Lulworth Gunnery Ranges so please avoid sea danger areas during firing times. Normal firing times: Monday to Thursday 09:30 – 17:00hrs and Friday 09:30 – 12:30hrs.
All craft should keep seaward of the line of white buoys across Weymouth Bay, please do no enter the bathing area.Common sense and good seamanship should dictate that navigation and mooring in bathing areas should always be avoided. Observe the harbour speed limits and maintain a safe speed relevant to the conditions. Always keep a good lookout; a vigilant watch will reduce the risk of conflict with other vessels and always report damage or incidents.
Whatever your activity is, please prepare for it, carry all the right equipment necessary for your watersport and be aware of the weather, local tides, currents and danger areas.
