Common Safety Questions
- Why do we sail in fleets?
We sail in fleets primarily for safety and instructional purposes but also for the fun and social opportunities it provides. In addition to the captain and mate on each boat, a staff boat accompanies the fleet, carrying additional safety equipment and support staff. Our Mates rotate from boat to boat on a daily basis, each sharing his or her own unique knowledge and enthusiasm for sailing, navigation, racing, cooking, marine biology …the list is endless. Ashore, the crews gather to enjoy the activities each destination has to offer.
The depth of our staff in each fleet allows us to lead and supervise a wider choice of activities and electives at each location. Students can choose activities together with their crewmates, or choose to try an activity with students from other boats. Should a student require transportation to a doctor visit, one of our staff can accompany that student without negatively impacting the supervision and activities of the rest of the group.
Naturally, being part of a larger group means there are plenty of other people to meet and have fun with. Traveling together as a fleet provides real-world sailing conditions and excellent instructional opportunities. And of course there’s the excitement of yacht racing. There’s nothing quite like a fleet of large yachts tacking upwind together! - When do we use lifejackets?
Lifejackets are always worn when sailing on small boats, kayaking, windsurfing, and waterskiing. It is not common practice to wear lifejackets on a large keelboat, particularly with the tranquil sailing conditions in the Caribbean. However, if weather and sea conditions warrant, lifejackets are worn and additional safety procedures are followed. During night sails, everyone on deck wears a life jacket, water-activated strobe light, and is harnessed onto a jackline.
- How strictly are the rules enforced? Mike Liese, Sail Caribbean founder and director, clearly states our policies to all students upon their arrival. Without exception, Sail Caribbean students are strictly prohibited from using drugs, alcohol, and tobacco. Those who violate these rules, as well as those who remain in the company of anyone violating the rules, are sent home immediately. Students and parents often say they appreciate that our rules are fair, well understood, and enforced without exception.
- What are the supervision arrangements on shore?
Whether exploring town or going ashore most days on our Voyages, safety remains our highest priority. In every case students are given clear boundaries (and the attractions and highlights are within thosee boundaries so students are not tempted to stray.) During daytime excursions, our staff wear their staff shirts and join the students ashore to provide area supervision throughout the designated areas and particularly at points of interest. Students must travel in buddy groups and check in on a regular basis. During evenings ashore, students and staff are together at all times. The venues are carefully chosen for the students’ enjoyment and with foremost consideration for safety and supervision.
- What kind of medical training does your staff have?
Our entire staff undergoes Wilderness First Aid training, a 16-hour program, which far exceeds basic first aid training. This specialized training allows them to assess and initiate treatment for injuries and illnesses in remote situations. In addition, each program has at minimum 1-2 staff who have an EMT certification or have completed the more advanced Wilderness First Responder training, an 80-hour certification, and there is a designated medical officer. During our comprehensive pre-season training, we use emergency simulations to further prepare our staff for the specific conditions
Link WFR
Link WFA
- How large or small are the Sail Caribbean groups?
Our voyages combine the best of small and large group qualities. Each boat has 10-12 students of similar age, ensuring a small-scale, experiential learning and living environment onboard. While each crew bonds as a close unit, the boats in each program also sail together as a fleet. While our smaller programs may consist of a single boat (Echo & Tango and Sierra), most of our programs have from two to seven boats in a fleet.
- Will your staff hold students' prescriptions?
Students are expected to be responsible for their own medications. Our staff will not hold medications for the students, but we will help them identify a safe place to keep their medications and set up a check off sheet to help remind them to take their medications.
- If a participant has fair skin, how can he/she be protected in the sun?
Protection from the Caribbean's strong sun begins with our What to Bring List, which helps you pack for your summer trip with Sail Caribbean. We ask you to bring a hat, a lightweight long sleeve shirt, sunglasses and sunscreen for sun protection. You may also want to consider bringing a "rash guard" top that can be worn in the water.
Additionally, our staff members continually remind students to re-apply sunscreen throughout the day. If a student shows the beginnings of a burn, the captain will place them on "T-shirt duty", for as long as necessary. We also emphasize hydration and play games that encourage drinking water during particularly hot weather. The students themselves also share responsibility for these healthy practices, as one of them is in charge of the crew's health and safety each day. All of our boats have a bimini (a canvas canopy over the cockpit area) that provides shade at all times.