Abstract
Introduction. Recreational sailing has become an increasingly popular form of leisure in Poland. The well-known Great Masurian Lakes Route (GMLR) allows visitors to explore picturesque locations that are inaccessible from land. Most scientific studies focus on safety in maritime sailing, whereas there is a lack of publications and scholarly analysis concerning yacht sailing on lakes. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of skippers with varying levels of qualifications regarding the factors affecting sailing safety, as well as to analyze police statistics and data from the Masurian Volunteer Rescue Service (MOPR) concerning incidents involving vessels on GMLR.
Material and Methods. A survey of skippers’ opinions was conducted during the summer seasons of 2024-2025 at seven ports located along GMLR. An original questionnaire developed by the authors was used, and its reliability was assessed (Kappa = 0.92). Data on police interventions were provided by the Head of the Social Communication Department of the Provincial Police Headquarters in Olsztyn. Data on rescue operations and other activities were obtained from MOPR based in Giżycko.
Results. Nearly half of the surveyed yacht skippers (49.5%) consider the need for changes in legal regulations to be justified, while 57.2% see the need for mandatory sailing training before taking the exam. Checking the weather before departing from the port and properly responding to weather changes and received warning signals are the main factors affecting sailing safety. More than half of the respondents (55%) see the need for a universal and free warning-information application for sailors. A significant proportion of sailors consume alcohol during sailing trips or do so occasionally.
Conclusions. Sailors report having very good or good knowledge of legal regulations; however, not all of them adhere to these rules during sailing trips, as confirmed by police statistics. The dangerous situations experienced by the respondents and their safety concerns do not lead to the perceived need to purchase liability insurance.