Safety at Sea
The Safety at Sea theme emphasizes the importance of protecting lives through education, preparation, and innovation in maritime practices.
Sailing safety highlights essential skills like navigation, emergency readiness, and vessel and equipment maintenance. World Sailing Day promotes global awareness of safety standards, the compliance with maritime safety regulations, the value of certification and the encouragement of sailors of all levels to adopt best practices.
World Sailing Day events activities can include safety demonstrations, workshops, and sharing of survival stories and the lessons learned from misfortunes of others.
Partnerships with coastguards, rescue services, and safety equipment manufacturers strengthen the message od SAFE SAILING also as an assurance to those who are less experienced or new to sailing.
By continuously focusing on safety, World Sailing Day fosters a responsible and knowledgeable sailing community and ultimately champions the idea that enjoyment on the water must always be underpinned by safety.
Safety Policy
Last updated: July 11, 2025
World Sailing Day is committed to promoting the safety of all members, participants and spectators of its own WSD events and those of any associated supporting events. This WSD Safety Policy outlines the standards and guidelines that must be adhered to by all members and partners in order create a safe environment for those involved in WSD or any event which is using the WSD identity/brand. There are no qualification events for WSD. Only events which are listed in the WSD Events Directory and which fall within the period 21 May and 7 June are WSD events.
Risk Assessment and Mitigation
1.1 All events organised under the auspices of WSD/using WSD identity must conduct a risk assessment prior to the commencement of any activities.
1.2 Any identified risks must be by the organising and responsible entity/partner and mitigated to the extent possible through appropriate safety measures and procedures. Where this is not possible, the specific event or activity should be withdrawn. The risk analysis should also take into account specifically weather, traffic and public involvement.
Equipment Compliance
2.1 All vessels and equipment must meet the safety standards relevant for the event and location and local regulations.
2.2 Vessel inspections and maintenance of equipment must be conducted and completed prior to the start of any WSD event – and special attention should be paid to
ensure that equipment is in safe and operational condition and within a reasonable time. In case of any inspection failure, the vessel should be withdrawn from the event.
Training and Education
3.1 All Participants in the WSD organized, sanctioned or supported events must adhere to the general safety practices applicable to their setting and local regulations.
3.2 Any partner, member club, association or organization involved in or responsible for the event must take into account any local laws and regulations that may require adherence to its standards.
Emergency Response
4.1 An emergency response plan must be in place for every event, detailing procedures for medical emergencies, search and rescue operations, and other contingencies.
4.2 Organisers of the activities or events must ensure that all Participants are aware of and familiar with the emergency response procedures. Clear communication channels and protocols must be established to convey safetyrelated information to all Participants, and all relevant parties.
4.3 Weather updates, emergency alerts, and other safety-critical information must be promptly communicated to ensure the well-being of everyone involved.
Updates
5.1 All those involved with WSD and any of its associated events are reminded that this policy along with all the applicable safety rules and recommendations should be
periodically reviewed to ensure currency, relevance and event/activity compliance.
Join us in commemorating World Sailing Day!
We welcome contact with all those organizations which would like to partner with us to include in our World Sailing Day activities and initiatives which specifically promote the SAFETY goals listed above.