Boating etiquette in the Raseborg archipelago and guest harbours – A simple guide

When you head out to sea, having good boating etiquette is super important. We at Raseborg Marina see every day what a huge difference it makes when everyone knows how to behave on the water, so here’s a quick rundown of what you should think about when heading out into our archipelago and visiting our guest harbours. Generally speaking, a safe and fun boating trip is all about being well-prepared, showing consideration for others, and knowing the basic rules before you even start the engine.

Even before you cast off, it’s important to decide who the skipper is and who has the main responsibility on the boat. It’s the skipper’s job to check the weather beforehand and tell someone on shore where you’re planning to go. It also goes without saying that the person driving must be sober. You should also double-check that you have enough fuel for the whole trip, preferably with a spare can, and that everyone has a properly fitting life jacket on. The skipper is the one who decides when the jackets should be worn. Just to be safe, you should also bring a bailer or a pump in case water gets in, and an anchor or a paddle if the engine starts acting up. If you have an inboard engine or an outboard motor with more than 34 horsepower, the law requires you to have an inspected fire extinguisher on board.

Once you’re out on the fairways, it actually works pretty much like driving on a normal road. It’s always a good idea to stick to the marked fairways and bring a physical paper nautical chart in case the electronics suddenly fail. The basic rule is to drive on the right side of the fairway and adjust your speed. It’s especially important to slow down when you get close to our harbours or drive through narrow straits where there are other boats or swimmers. You also need to remember that there’s no right of way at sea, only obligations to give way. The right-hand rule works just like in regular traffic: a motorboat always gives way to a sailing boat, and those of us in regular leisure boats should always steer clear of large ships and ferries.

Good boating etiquette also means respecting nature and other people. When driving, it’s important to think about how big of a wake your boat is making, so you don’t damage other people's boats at the docks or disturb people on the beaches. We at Raseborg Marina also want to remind everyone to keep their distance from nesting birds and to never, ever throw trash into the sea. We always take all our trash back to shore so the archipelago stays clean for all of us, and so that boating life can be just as great in the future.

If something unexpected were to happen anyway, like running aground, the most important thing is to try to stay calm. If someone falls into the water, one person in the boat must keep their eyes on that person the entire time without looking away, while the skipper calmly turns the boat around to pick them up. If the situation gets serious, you should call for help immediately. If you are in the inner archipelago here in Raseborg, the regular emergency number 112 works best, but if you are further out at open sea, you should call the Maritime Rescue (Coast Guard) at 0294 1000.