Lessons from the Boat Prep & Safety Clinic

At the recent PIC Coastal Classic Boat Prep and Safety Clinic, sailors were reminded that good preparation and a safe passage starts on shore.

Held at the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, the clinic felt part classroom, part reunion. Race veterans swapped stories, first-timers scribbled notes, and the room buzzed with the mix of excitement and nerves that always comes before a big start.

Commodore Adrian Percival opened the session by thanking supporters, especially PIC Insurance Brokers, whose long-term support makes both the race and the safety programme possible. Then our experts took the floor. Simon Hull shared lessons from years of coastal and offshore sailing, while Race Officer Megan Kensington gave insights on signals and communication.

Preparation Starts Long Before the Gun

Simon Hull reminded everyone, “You don’t win the Coastal at North Head, you win it before you leave the dock.”

Whether racing to Russell or cruising to Kawau, the takeaway was clear. Every safe passage begins on shore.

He encouraged skippers to treat the Category 3 inspection as more than a formality. A well-prepared boat isn’t just compliant, it’s organised, tested, and ready for surprises. Clear diagrams showing seacocks, fire extinguishers, flares, and first-aid kits aren’t paperwork. They can save lives when seconds count. “Small jobs done now stop big jobs later,” Simon said. Check all systems, including lights, radios, pumps, and batteries, well before you leave the dock, not during your first squall on race day.

Training Makes the Difference

Crew preparation is just as important as boat prep. Every boat has its own culture, but every skipper has the same responsibility: make sure their crew knows what to do. This means crew induction before every trip, not just every season. Even short races deserve proper practice.

Skill-sharing matters too. A trimmer who understands the helm can make better calls, and a helm who’s helped on the bow will plan cleaner manoeuvres. Rotating roles builds confidence, keeps the boat flexible, and keeps everyone safe..

The Gear That Saves Lives

Safety equipment was a major focus. Lifejackets, tethers, and harnesses aren’t just rules, they’re lifesavers. Modern inflatables are light, comfortable, and fitted with strobes — there’s simply no reason not to wear one.

The same goes for tethers and harnesses. “Clip on before you leave the cockpit,” Hull said. A short line to a solid jackstay prevents most man-overboard situations altogether.

Another key update for competitors was the shift from PLBs to EPIRBs. All Cat 3 boats must now carry a registered EPIRB, and it’s wise for coastal cruisers too.Every crewmember should know how to deploy it, test it, and stow it securely.

Headlamps with red-light mode, personal strobes, dry and current first-aid kits — all featured in the safety checklist. And, as Percival noted “If you’ve forgotten any of it, Burnsco’s open at 7 am on race day.”

Crew Wellbeing Matters

Safety gear helps in a crisis, but avoiding the crisis matters more. Hydration, food, and warmth were common threads through every speaker’s story.

Cold, tired sailors make slow decisions. Keep snacks and water within reach in the cockpit; pack a thermos of soup or stew for the night run north. Rotating crew early, before fatigue sets in, keeps performance steady and morale high.

Another experienced skipper suggested each boat carry an easy-reach “snack bag” so no one has to leave the rail to find food. “Keeping people fuelled keeps them talking,” he said, “and that communication is what spots trouble early.”

Communication is Safety

One clear message rang out all evening: listen to Channel 16. If one phrase summed up the evening, it was this: listen to Channel 16. More than one race incident in recent years has started with a boat missing a radio call. Even a minor issue can turn serious if other boats or the Coastguard can’t reach you.

Crews were reminded to carry a charged handheld VHF with a spare battery and to use the ship’s radio whenever possible. Knowing the call-in points — Sail Rock, Cape Brett, and others — helps race control confirm everyone’s safe progress. Those not racing should note the same channels; they’re the lifeline that connects every vessel on the water.

Learning from Experience

Stories resonated as much as rules. Hull described an overboard incident where a crewman’s strobe was the only thing that made him visible in the dark. The lesson: be ready, wear your lifejacket, clip on, know where the thron line lives and practise using your safety gear. Even calm weather can be deceptive. Fatigue and distraction can undo the best sailors. Prevention always beats heroics.

Steinlager crew demonstrating safety at its best

The Bigger Picture

Beyond the technical lessons, there was pride in how far the PIC Coastal Classic has come. Forty-plus years on, it has become more than a race, it is a celebration of New Zealand’s boating culture. Sponsors like PIC Insurance Brokers, PredictWind, B&G, Doyle, and Burnsco help keep that culture alive by backing both competition and education.

For sailors heading north on October 24, the message was simple: preparation is performance. For the rest of us, it’s a timely reminder that safety belongs on every boat, racing or not.

Final Tack

Good seamanship isn’t luck. It’s the product of practice, awareness, and respect for the sea. The clinic turned that truth into lively conversation, one worth carrying into every harbour this summer. Before you polish the topsides or load the chilly bin, check the lifejackets, test the radio, and talk your crew through the plan. As Simon Hull said, “You win it before you leave the dock.”