Should Sailing Instructors, Yacht Skippers and Crew Carry a knife?

Should RYA Instructors and Skippers carry a knife for work, or are the risks of carrying an offensive weapons to great?

Knives & Boats: Safety Tool or Legal Risk?

Knives and seafarers have gone literally “hand in hand” for generations. Ask any seasoned sailor or maritime professional and they’ll tell you—a knife is as essential as a lifejacket. Whether for cutting rope, freeing a jammed sail, or responding to an entrapment emergency, a sharp blade can be the difference between inconvenience and catastrophe. RYA Instructors and skippers are often encouraged to carry a knife for safety reasons

But in an age of heightened public concern over knife crime and increasingly strict laws, carrying a knife—even for practical reasons—can land you in serious legal trouble. The key lies in understanding when and how knife carriage is lawful, and how to strike the right balance between safety and responsibility.

Why do we need to carry a knife on and around boats

There are countless situations at sea where having immediate access to a knife is not just useful—it’s vital for your and your crew’s safety.

Emergency Use

• Man overboard with a tangled safety line: If a crew member falls overboard and becomes caught in a tether or lifeline, a sharp knife may be the only way to free them quickly.

• Prop fouling: More than once i have suffered a rope or fishing line wrapped around my propeller which has immobilised the vessel. As a dinghy instructor (DI) operating from a RIB this rendered me unable to provide essential  safety cover. Fortunately every DI carries a sailing knife and I was quickly able to solve the problem and continue providing essential assistance to my beginner students. On another occasion on board a yacht in the Atlantic we suffered a prop wrap with stray platic fishing net. I dived and cleared the net using my trusty sailing knife. There are other scenarios such as being near a lee shore where a diver or crew member may need to cut lines swiftly to prevent damage or danger.

• Towing or anchoring problems: Snagged lines, fouled ground tackle, or entangled fishing gear can all require cutting under pressure.

• Abandonment: I am aware of a crew who attempted to launch a life raft and were unable to open the pelican hook that lashed the rafts to the deck, fortunately the crew member in question carried a knife and was able to cut the straps and free the raft from its bracket. Had none of them carried a knife they would not be around today!

• Sailing: My wife was once caught between a filling head sail and the guardrail following a sudden tack. At the same time the genoa sheet suffered a riding turn and could not be released. Crew mate Gareth acted quickly and knifed the sheet, had he not have done so my wife would have certainly suffered considerable crush injuries. On another occasion when sportsboat racing on a very windy Solent we had broached, another boat sailed into us (also broached). Poles and spinnakers quickly became entangled and as both boats righted we knifed the sheets. This avoided considerable further damage.
• Safety Cover: When providing safety cover for multi hulls such as Darts and Hobie Cats there is always a risk of crew entrapment. In this scenario we would need a knife to cut through the trampoline and free the entrapped crew member.

Routine Seamanship

• Rope splicing and sail repair

• Cutting packaging or materials during maintenance

• Trimming lines, fenders, or lashings on deck

• Opening sealed containers or emergency rations

A knife in the marine environment is often seen as part of the standard toolkit—like a winch handle or a multitool. In some training contexts, such as STCW and RYA Sea Survival, it’s taught as a core part of emergency preparedness.

Mandatory Knife Carriage

Most RYA Dinghy Centres insist their instructors carry an easily accessible knife when instructing as it is such an essential pice of safety equipment. Instructors and skipper in other disciplines are also often encouraged to carry an easily accessible  knife.

Under World Sailing Offshore Special Regulations (OSR) all sailors competing in OSR Cat 0 races must wear a knife on their person at all times.

The same Regulations state that all competing race yachts and keelboats must carry a “strong sharp readily accessible cockpit knife” at all times, whether inshore or offshore.

The Case Against Carrying a Knife

While the practical benefits of carrying a knife on board are well established, it is equally important to consider why you might choose not to carry one—at least not routinely, or not in public areas. As knife crime legislation tightens and societal attitudes shift, the burden of justification lies increasingly on the individual. Here’s a look at the reasons not to carry a knife, and the very real consequences of misjudgment.

1. Legal Risk Is Real—and Rising

Knife laws in the UK (and many other countries) are designed to protect the public, and enforcement is often strict. Even when your intentions are entirely innocent, carrying a knife without clear and immediate justification can lead to:

• Arrest on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon

• Confiscation of the knife—even if it’s part of your work kit

• Criminal charges that could lead to a fine, community order or imprisonment

• A criminal record, affecting your employment, travel, or licensing

Many people assume that “I’m a sailor” or “I use this at work” is enough. It is not. The law does not prohibit knife ownership—it limits knife carriage in public. The moment you walk off the pontoon or enter a public space, you may be on the wrong side of the law.

2. Public Perception and Misunderstanding

In an age where knife violence dominates headlines, public attitudes toward knives are understandably wary. Even a folding marine knife can look dangerous to the untrained eye. If spotted:

• You could cause alarm among the public

• Authorities may be called, escalating the situation

• Your professional reputation could suffer, especially if you’re in a training or instructional role

Put simply: a knife on your belt in a boatyard may look normal to your colleagues—but looks like a weapon to a passerby in a car park or café.

3. Misuse or Accidents

Knives are tools, but like any tool, they can be misused—intentionally or unintentionally.

• An unsecured knife can fall and injure you or others, especially on deck or during rough weather

• A young crew member copying your behaviour may carry a knife without fully understanding the implications

• In a stressful or aggressive situation (e.g., between crewmates), having a blade within reach can increase the risk of escalation

Maritime safety is about minimising risk. If a knife is not needed for the task at hand, why add the extra hazard?

4. There Are Safer Alternatives

In many situations, modern alternatives can do the job just as well with far less risk:

• Hook knives or seatbelt cutters are ideal for emergency line-cutting and much less threatening in appearance

• Sheath knives stowed onboard (rather than carried on your person) ensure availability without breaching public carry laws

• Multitools offer compact utility and are often perceived as less aggressive or problematic

It’s worth asking: Do you need a blade in your pocket all day, or just when working aloft or working on deck?

What the Law Says on caring a knife (UK-Specific)

In the UK, knife carriage is regulated under laws designed to reduce violence and protect the public. But these laws can clash with practical maritime realities.

Summary of Key Knife Laws

• It is illegal to carry a knife in public without good reason.
  (Section 139 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988)

• You can carry a folding “pocket” knife with a blade less than 3 inches (7.62cm) without specific justification, but only if it’s not used aggressively.
• Lock knives are considered fixed blades under UK law, even though they fold. They are not considered “pocket knives” and are subject to stricter controls.
• Even a legally-owned knife can become illegal if carried in the wrong place

• Carrying any bladed article with intent to cause harm or intimidation is always a criminal offence.

• Carrying, buying, or selling any banned knife: Certain types of knives are specifically banned, such as flick knives, butterfly knives, and disguised knive

What Counts as a “Good Reason”?

The law allows a defence of “good reason” for carrying a knife. But this defence:

• Must be specific to time and place

• Will be interpreted by a court if you are charged

• Does not guarantee that you won’t be arrested or questioned

Examples of valid “good reasons” may include:

• You are walking to or from a boat, marina, or training venue where the knife is genuinely required for your work and the knife is safely stowed in the bottom of a kit bag

• You are engaged in commercial marine activity (fishing, tugboats, rescue work) and the knife is part of required PPE or operating procedure.

• You are attending a maritime training course where carrying a knife is recommended or demonstrated for safety purposes.

But:

• If you stop at a shop, pub, or unrelated venue, your reason for carrying the knife may no longer be valid.

• Wearing a knife openly in public—even on a belt—can be seen as intimidating or reckless.

Case Studies and My Interpretation

✅ Case 1 – Lawful Carriage:

A deckhand walks down the dock to begin work on a new commercial vessel. He carries a sailing knife (folding knife with a blunt tip) in his jacket pocket, used daily for line work. He has his work ID, and the knife stays onboard after his shift.

Outcome: Very likely to be seen as lawful and justifiable.

❌ Case 2 – Risky Carriage:

A leisure boater finishes maintenance on his yacht and heads to a nearby pub, forgetting he still has his fixed-blade knife sheathed on his belt. A member of the public notices and contacts police.

Outcome: The knife is now in a public space without “good reason.” This could easily lead to arrest or prosecution. The excuse “I needed it on the boat earlier in the day,” is no longer relevant.

✅ Case 3 – Training Context, Sensible Storage:

An RYA Instructor is running a sea survival course at a marina-based training centre. For the pool session he carries a small blunt-tip but sharp bladed safety knife in a pouch within his lifejacket, which is only worn during the practical session. Before and after the drill, the lifejacket (and knife) is stored securely in a locked equipment locker.

Outcome: This demonstrates a clear, justified use of a safety knife during a relevant training activity. The knife is not carried through public spaces unnecessarily. This would likely be seen as proportionate and defensible in law.

❌ Case 4 – Misjudged Convenience:

A sailing enthusiast keeps a fixed-blade diving knife in the glove box of his car year round, “just in case” he needs it on the water. While parked at a supermarket en route to the marina, his car is searched by police following a report of suspicious behaviour. The knife is discovered, and the boater explains it’s “for cutting rope.”

Outcome: Storing a knife in a vehicle without immediate, job-related need or context is unlikely to meet the test of “good reason.” The knife is accessible in a public place, and not clearly part of work or training. This could result in charges for possession of a bladed article.

Practical and Legal Solutions

To stay safe—and legal—mariners should adopt practical strategies for knife carriage and usage.

1. Choose the Right Knife

• Blunt-tip rescue knives are ideal for many jobs: safer in emergencies and less threatening in appearance.

• Folding knives with sub-3” blades are the most legally defensible.

• Multitools with integrated blades offer functionality with lower legal risk.

• Avoid locking or fixed-blade knives unless you have an exceptionally strong reason to carry them (e.g., commercial dive team, emergency services, etc.).

2. Keep It Onboard When Not Needed

Store your knife safely on the vessel, ideally in a known location like a grab bag or lifejacket. This ensures it’s available at sea but not carried through public areas unnecessarily.

3. Carry Documentation

If you’re a professional, carry your:

• Commercial endorsement or training certificate

• Company ID or work order

• Instructor qualification (if applicable)

This can help establish a lawful reason if questioned by authorities.

 4. Educate Your Crew or Students

Many recreational sailors and students don’t realise the legal limits on carrying knives. Training courses should include:

• The difference between essential use and careless carriage

• Knife types and their legal standing

• When to carry, when to stow, and how to explain yourself if asked

Knife Carriage and Lifejackets

Many modern lifejackets now feature dedicated knife pouches, often for hook knives or blunt safety blades. These are designed for rapid deployment in entrapment scenarios, such as:

• Being caught in webbing or rigging after capsize

• Cutting yourself free from a snagged harness or line

⚠️ Note: Even if stored in a lifejacket, a knife may be considered “carried in public” if worn ashore. Be mindful of where and when you wear your gear.

Conclusion: Responsibility First

Knives are part of the culture, safety, and practicality of life at sea. But they also come with responsibilities. What was once a tool of every sailor is now a subject of close legal scrutiny.

To carry a knife legally as a mariner:

• Understand the law and its exceptions

• Carry responsibly, only when needed

• Use marine-specific, safety-focused designs

• Educate others and lead by example

When handled wisely, your knife remains the valuable tool it was always meant to be—there when you need it, out of sight when you don’t, and always carried with care.