I have come to the conclusion

[Davidasailor26]

This is what we know for sure.
In the early hours of Saturday morning, U.S. Coast Guard Sector San Juan received a distress call from the sailing yacht Tao. The sole individual aboard was the 80-year-old skipper. The yacht had lost steering, and he could not access the emergency tiller and see the compass at the same time.

To be slightly more precise - We know for sure that’s what the article reported as the problem. Wouldn’t be the first time a news article didn’t get all of the facts right or complete in a marine incident.

Where do we draw the line on who’s competent to go to sea? If 80 is to old, is 25 too young to be experienced enough? Should we require a minimum number of coastal cruising hours before going offshore? I think at some point we need to accept that people are driven to take risks, some more prudently than others. We can take some steps to minimize those risks, but a full out ban by age seems fraught with other issues.

 

[stickinthemud57]

This: "We can take some steps to minimize those risks, but a full out ban by age seems fraught with other issues".

When a person has spent a lifetime being responsible for himself and his family, it's hard to convince them that they need to let others decide what is "safe" for them and what isn't. Actually, even if they have been selfish and irresponsible, the same applies.

 

[All U Get]

Failing to recognize these limitations can lead to personal injury and premature death.

I have had discussions with a few young doctors about the “premature death “. Maybe the timing will be right on time. I would prefer to be sailing rather than some less glorious pursuit or riding a hospital bed. I already signed the last wishes paper that discusses pulling the plug. I told my young attorney not to worry, my wife will trip over the cord on the way out of the room, that’s All U Get.

 

[Caboteur]

Really? Too old to drive an automobile… too old to solo sail… too old to cross the street in town? What next?
A solo sailor accepts certain risks inherent to the task. This includes the condition of the boat, the body of water and the condition of the sailor.
The risks are mostly to himself and are just that; risks.
Is a testosterone filled 19 year-old at the wheel of a muscle-car safer than an old sailor at sea on his boat?
I’ve never crossed an ocean solo but island hopping and great lakes crossing still seem OK for me. I hope to still come to this conclusion for a while still.
Pierre

 

[jssailem]

I hope to still come to this conclusion for a while still.

Or at least as long as I can come to "a" conclusion... and remember it.

 

[stickinthemud57]

I have had discussions with a few young doctors about the “premature death “. Maybe the timing will be right on time. I would prefer to be sailing rather than some less glorious pursuit or riding a hospital bed. I already signed the last wishes paper that discusses pulling the plug. I told my young attorney not to worry, my wife will trip over the cord on the way out of the room, that’s All U Get.

Yes, as I wrote those words I was thinking a premature death while sailing would not be such a bad thing. I just don't want it to be a premature death from drowning. That's no fun.

 

[thinwater]

It's probably like driving a car. At some point, age catches up with you, but until fairly advanced age, young people do more dumb stuff. I know. I was young once.

 

[kappykaplan]

I know. I was young once.

We all were!

 

[Hayden Watson]

We all were!

Speak for yourself! I just found a Medicare Card in my wallet. How in the world did that happen?!?!?

 

[LloydB]

Old enough to know better than put himself into further jeopardy. Called mayday for help figuring out a better solution. I know people half his age couldn't do that and wished they would have.

 

[jon hansen]

old sailors never die .........................

 

[kappykaplan]

Medicare Card in my wallet

I gots one of dose, too!

 

[All U Get]

I’m not as good as I once was, but I’m as good once as I ever was.

 

[Rick Webb]

No, absolutely not.

There is definitely a time when they should not be allowed on the freeway though.

 

[Caboteur]

No, absolutely not.

There is definitely a time when they should not be allowed on the freeway though.

Right! Before 30 and after 60! No more traffic jams, plenty of petrol to go around and so little CO2 to stop worrying about global warming. Wow you’ve got THE solution.

 

[MitchM]

I hope the time to Chuck it In is based on ability not a number.

I just experienced age discrimination aboard a Cruise ship. The Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines has decided in contract with their shore excursion companies (who affirm to get you back to the ship before it leaves, a key reason for booking with them) that based on your age you can not snorkel, ride the zip lines, horseback ride, paddle a kayak or paddle board, ride an ATV, use a jet ski etc. of course they do not tell you about these limitations until after your booked.

You learn this nasty secret in a text message. “Your excursion is not reserved. Some one in your group is not qualified “

In other words, sit in a deck chair and drink. That’s all your good for now.

Sorry kids no snorkeling for you your Grandparents are too old.

What a load of BS.

I say. Sail as long as you can. You’ll live a longer and enjoy a more fulfilling life experience.

 

[MitchM]

What Op describes is a violation of the laws prohibiting age discrimination in most every state of the USA. as a mater of contract law, if you signed up for the cruise and we’re NOT told of the age based discrimination for shore excursions, it is a breach of contract, for them to deny you the excursions . I d raise holy hell about this cruise line in the AARP journal and every newspaper who might want to hear about it. we just returned from the Galapagos, where everyone on the boats Went on any kayak/ hike/ swim excursion one wanted . that s the way it ought to be. PS who was your cruise co ? Post your story on ripoffreport.com . . . .

 

[RussC]

Sure. I think the movie writers for “Logan’s Run” had an effect method.

So you're saying perhaps the single handed sailer was a "runner"? that would be me, headed out for that "one more time"

 

[DaveJ]

I’m not as good as I once was, but I’m as good once as I ever was.

or

I’m not as good as I used to be, but then again, I never was.
This is a joke, but I remind myself of this every once in a while, always a chance for improvement.

Cheers

 

[jssailem]

A friend sent me this perspective on age...

Seenager

I JUST discovered my age group! I am a Seenager (senior teenager).

I have everything that I wanted as a teenager, only 55-60 years later. I don't have to go to school or work. I get an allowance every month. I have my own pad. I don't have a curfew. I have a driver's license and my own car.

I have ID that gets me into bars and the wine store. I like the wine store best. The people I hang around with are not scared of getting pregnant, they aren't scared of anthing. they have been blessed to live this long, why be scared? And I don't have acne. Life is Good!

Also, you will feel much more intelligent after reading this, if you are a Seenager. Brains of older people are slow because they know so much. People do not decline mentally with age: it just takes them longer to recall facts because they have more information in their brains. Scientists believe this also makes you hard of hearing as it puts pressure on your inner ear.

Also, older people often go to another room to get something and when they get there, they stand there wondering what they came for. It is NOT a memory problem: it is nature's way of making older people do more exercise.

SO THERE!