Should I insure my boat before my boating holiday?
As a NITO member, you get a 30% discount on boat insurance and useful tips for a safe and worry-free boating holiday this summer.
Tryg Forsikring is probably especially known for the lifebuoys that are placed along Norway's elongated coast and around most waters. But Tryg is also concerned about the safety of those who travel at sea.
Take the boat driving test
It is strongly recommended that everyone who travels at sea take the boat driving test, which is mandatory for everyone born on or after 1 January 1980.
Traffic rules at sea
- You have a duty to give way to boats coming from starboard (right).
- You have a duty to give way to boats you catch.
- Motorboats have a duty to give way to sailboats under sail.
- Recreational boats have a duty to give way to commercial vessels.
On the Norwegian Society for Sea Rescue's website, you will find a complete list of illustrations of the right of way at sea.
Liability rules at sea - be aware of these rules
It is the collision liability rules of the Maritime Act that determine whether the person who caused the damage shall be liable for it. The rules are that they must have shown a liability for fault that meets certain legal requirements. This is useful to know.
If another boat causes damage to your boat, the main rule is that you are responsible for the damage to your own boat, even if you are not at fault for the damage.
Situations where comprehensive insurance is useful
- If a boat comes to dock next to your boat that is moored, and something happens to the engine that causes it to collide with yours, then you are not necessarily entitled to compensation from the other boat owner. Should you then have failed to buy comprehensive insurance for your boat, you must pay for repairs to your boat yourself.
- Another example could be that your boat is on land in winter storage. If another boat should tip over and damage your boat, you are not entitled to compensation from the other boat's owner unless they have done something negligent. Again, you will be dependent on having comprehensive insurance on your boat to be absolutely sure that you do not have to cover the damage to your boat yourself.
The Maritime Act's collision liability rules determine whether the person who caused the damage shall be liable for it. The rule is that they must have shown a culpability that meets certain legal requirements.
In short, it takes a lot for the person who is to blame for damage to someone else's boat to actually be responsible for it. Therefore, you should think carefully before dropping hull insurance at sea - no matter how skilled or experienced a boater you are.
It can therefore be worthwhile to have comprehensive insurance on the boat.
Safer boat trip: What kind of safety equipment do I need to have in the boat?
Make sure that the boat has all the necessary safety equipment such as life jackets for everyone on board, oars, lifeline, dredge, fire extinguisher, first aid kit and emergency signal equipment. There are also requirements for lantern guidance for your boat.
What apps do I need at sea?
In the event of an emergency, it is important to have your mobile phone available. You may want to store it in a waterproof phone holder. Several apps are useful:
- Help 113 - notify the emergency response centre and they will automatically know where you are
Download for Android
Download for iPhone - Seaber - forecast and overview at sea
Tryg recommends boat users to download the Seaber app . It has good nautical chart function and shows your location when you are at sea to other Seaber users. At the same time, it allows you to notify when you need assistance, or shows you when another Seaber user nearby needs your help.