Recreational Boating Safety

“The sea has never been friendly to man. At most it has been the accomplice of human restlessness.”

Joseph Conrad

The problem

Boating is a popular activity, with 2.7 million participants in Australia. However, it comes with significant risks, particularly in man overboard (MOB incidents. Australia sees an average of 49 boating-related fatalities annually, highlighting the need for improved safety measures. In 2020, there were 56 overboard incidents, resulting in four deaths. Factors such as vessel size, weather, and human error increase the dangers, and the “funnel of death” concept shows how quickly safety issues can escalate.

The research

Surveys were conducted online and aimed at people over the age of 18 who engage in recreational boating in Australia. They were distributed predominately among maritime industry professionals who engage in recreational boating. The surveys largely involved general quantitative questions, with short answer sections specific to MOB incidents. Responses included 20 completed surveys, each responding to 34 questions.

“Because the least little thing that goes wrong, you will not find that person.”

Interview respondant

Long format interviews were conducted with three maritime professionals: An Australian Volunteer Coast Life Guard officer, a Naval Architect and a Marine Insurance Assessor. The findings indicate that man overboard incidents are perceived as both highly risky and relatively likely, especially among sailors. Survey data shows a strong correlation between MOB scenarios and sailing, while interviews highlight key challenges such as decision-making under pressure and environmental conditions. These insights provide a clearer understanding of the risks and responses associated with MOB situations.

INITIal Concepts

the SOLUTION

how it works

Exploded view

Prototypes