How to make Cowes Week a safe experience

Boating enthusiasts taking part in this year’s Cowes Week should consider the safety aspects of the event before setting sail advises Moore Blatch solicitors.

With around 1000 yachts and 8,500 people taking part annually, the Cowes Week boating regatta held each August, is renowned for its challenging racing conditions which push crews to their optimum performance.

The level of experience of those taking part can vary considerably from Olympic and world class professionals to weekend sailors.

Moore Blatch marine expert, Marianne Jarvis says that with different levels of capability, it is incredibly important for all participants to think ahead and plan for the potential consequences of an accident or injury – with prevention being the best option.

“Cowes week is always such a huge success and an incredibly enjoyable event for spectators and participants alike. It’s extremely important though that participants consider what could happen if they were involved in a collision, so that they are fully protected and prepared,” cautions Marianne.

Whilst the event will have its own safety protocol, there are a number of measures which individual boat owners can adopt that will help the week run more smoothly. Marianne details some practical advice below:

• Insurance – it is extremely important for any boat owner to have insurance in place before agreeing to take part in Cowes Week. This will ensure that you are protected in the event of a collision and will cover you for any boat damage or injuries. If the incident is found to be your fault, you will also be covered for the other party’s loss.  

• Accident procedure – a written accident policy which everyone is familiar with could prove useful in the event of an incident. If the worst happens and an accident does occur, it will be important to make sure that details of the incident are recorded by the event organisers. If there are injuries, medical attention will be a priority and should be sought immediately. Obtaining insurance details of all the parties involved and witness information will help you to pursue a claim, should this be necessary.

• Jurisdiction – not all of the participants taking part in Cowes Week will necessarily be resident in the UK. If you collide with a boat owner not normally resident in the UK, you will still need to follow the above procedure. By having insurance in place, you will be able to instruct a cross-jurisdictional solicitor who can pursue a claim outside of the UK for you.

• Criminal prosecution – Cowes Week is a very sociable event, but it’s important to remember that if you are caught sailing under the influence of alcohol you can face criminal prosecution. Also, if you do not have adequate expertise to sail a boat and were to cause damage or injury, you could again be liable to criminal prosecution.

“The overall advice is to be sensible. Cowes Week offers an enormous amount of fun and by taking the above precautions, participants can spend the week concentrating on their performance rather than worrying about what may happen,” concludes Marianne.

As members of the British Marine Federation, Moore Blatch has worked closely with the Royal Yachting Association and can advise clients on a range of aspects in relation to sailing and boats.

The firm offers practical commercial advice on investigations, passing of title, payment terms, warranty issues, yacht registration, marine finance, VAT status and purchase contracts.