Is there a lifeline on board?
Updated on: 26/05/2025What is a safety line?
It is a long toe strap stretched from the stern to the bow on each side of the boat, allowing crew members to attach themselves to it with a carabiner to prevent the risk of falling overboard. It is a useful safety feature for any offshore crossing or night sailing. Please note: the lifeline is intended only for people performing tasks on the deck; it is not meant for use by passengers or children.
Is it available on the boat I’m renting?
Generally, no. Rental companies do not equip rental boats with lifelines. This is because these boats are intended for daytime use and primarily for coastal navigation. Furthermore, as of 2021, a lifeline is NOT MANDATORY EQUIPMENT in a boat’s safety gear, regardless of its navigation zone (basic, coastal, semi-offshore, or offshore).
What are the options?
If you are planning a crossing (from the South of France to Corsica, for example), and you prefer to have a lifeline, please contact the rental company to find out if they can provide one (you will usually have to install it yourself). If they cannot, you will generally have harnesses and lanyards with carabiners on the side of the boat, allowing you to secure yourself to the handrails on the boat.
Example of a safety line on a Neel 45 trimaran.
