Swimming Safely from a Yacht

Swimming stops are one of the best parts of a sailing week, and the Adriatic is usually clear and calm in summer. The rule is simple: nobody goes in until the skipper says so.

Before giving the all clear, your skipper checks that the yacht is secure at anchor or on a buoy, the engine is off and the propeller has stopped, and the wind, current and boat traffic are suitable. If the answer is no, there is a reason, even if the water looks inviting. On the first day your skipper will explain how swimming works on board. Follow that briefing over anything you read here.

This guide is part of our safety information for sailing weeks.

1. Put the swim ladder down first, so there is always a way back on board.
2. Look before you jump. Check the water below is clear of people, rocks and lines.
3. Jump feet first. Only dive where the skipper has confirmed the depth.
4. Climb back one at a time, using the ladder and handholds.

Climbing out is harder than it looks when you are tired or the yacht is moving in a swell. Come back to the ladder while you still have energy. Avoid jumping from the bow or high points unless the skipper agrees.

The propeller and rudder sit under the stern, close to the swim ladder. Even with the engine off, keep your feet and hands away from them. Never swim near the stern if anyone is about to start the engine, and tell the skipper before you go in so they know someone is in the water.

At the bow, the anchor chain runs down to the seabed and moves as the yacht swings. Do not hold on to it, climb it or swim between the yacht and a mooring buoy. In a bay where yachts tie lines to the shore, keep away from those lines too.

A swimmer's head is very hard to see from a moving boat, especially in glare or chop. In busy bays, tenders, water taxis and jet skis come and go all day.

• Stay close to your own yacht unless the skipper agrees otherwise
• Wear a brightly coloured swim cap or tow a swim buoy for longer swims
• Never swim across a harbour entrance, channel or route that boats use
• Look and listen before surfacing near other boats

Many beaches in Croatia have swimming areas marked by a line of buoys, which boats must stay outside. Inside those lines is the safest place to swim near the shore. Outside them, assume boats will not expect you.

In many anchorages, the skipper trails a floating line from the stern, often with a fender at the end. If a current or breeze carries you away from the yacht, swim to the line and pull yourself back. Swim into the current first, so the return is the easy way.

Never swim alone. Go in with a buddy, and make sure someone on deck knows who is in the water and keeps an eye on them. Weaker swimmers and non-swimmers should wear a buoyancy aid or lifejacket, which your skipper can show you how to fit.

Sea urchins are common on rocks and in shallow rocky coves. Wear water shoes when you swim ashore or walk over rocks. If you tread on one, get the spines out carefully and keep the wound clean. See a pharmacist or doctor if it becomes red, swollen or painful.

Jellyfish appear some summers in the Adriatic and can sting. If you are stung, leave the water, rinse the area with seawater (not fresh water) and avoid rubbing it. Get medical help if the pain is severe, the sting covers a large area or the person has trouble breathing.

The seabed often holds seagrass meadows, which are protected. Look, but do not pull them up. Our guide to protecting seagrass when anchoring explains why.

Alcohol slows your reactions, affects judgement and makes cold water and tiredness more dangerous. A jump off the stern after a few drinks, or a night swim back from a bar, is how many serious accidents start. If you have been drinking, stay out of the water until the next day. Read alcohol and safety on board for more.

Avoid swimming at night, in rough water, or when you feel unwell, seasick, overheated or exhausted. In an emergency, shout for help, alert the skipper and call 112.