Focus On Safety
Safety is our highest priority—there's no question about it. Whether aboard or ashore, we want our students to have the adventure of a lifetime, and we maintain the utmost vigilance to keep them safe in the process.
Every Sail Caribbean staff member is certified in Wilderness First Aid and CPR. Additionally, medical officers trained as Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) or Wilderness First Responders (WFRs) accompany each program. During our 2-week pre-season on-site training program, our staff review safety procedures specific to our environment and conduct simulated emergency drills.
Students, too, are taught the "Safety First" mindset. Sailing a 50-foot yacht is an awe-inspiring experience and is truly enjoyed only with a sense of confidence in one's safety and well-being. From day one, we teach students how to be safe on land and at sea, and also to look out for each other. We wear lifejackets for all watersport activities and on small boats. Lifejackets and harnesses are worn on large boats when conditions warrant and on all night sails.In the event emergency medical attention is required on a voyage, our high-speed motorboats ensure quick transfer to land, where we have long-term relationships with qualified local doctors. The Sail Caribbean fleet is always in VHF radio contact with one another. Should emergency medical attention be required on our land-based programs, we have vehicles and emergency evacuation plans in place to take our students to trusted and qualified local doctors.
All programs maintain daily contact with our base on Tortola. We monitor Caribbean weather daily. Should the need arise, we have a full hurricane plan that includes swift relocation to a shelter inland. Thankfully, in over 28 years, we have only used it twice.