MOB
I've watched this thread for years now on various web sites and e-mail lists. I have come to a conclusion that, in retrospect, is absolutely obvious. To wit: Given: that most of us are the most technically competent sailors of our crew; and Given: that most of us are the physically largest and strongest members of our crew; and Given: that if there's some out-of-the-cockpit work to be done, we are going to be the ones doing it; and Given: that therefore we are the ones likely to go overboard; and Given: that it will be virtually impossible for anyone else on our crew to haul our unconscious carcasses back aboard; then: The CONCLUSION is that the safest thing is not to go overboard. Which means that the only safe thing to do is to wear a harness all the time when we're out of the cockpit, no matter how apparently safe the conditions are. This is the only logical conclusion. It's not a comfortable one, but it's the only one. It's kind of like wearing a seat belt: unnecessary for years and years and years ... necessary only for the few seconds shortly before you die (if you're not wearing it) or are miraculously saved (if you are). Maybe we could all be leaders in a movement to make it acceptable--in fact, make it the salty, sailorly thing to do, to always wear a harness. Kind of like that thing about not having fenders hanging overboard. "Oh, you don't wear a harness when you leave the cockpit. Hmm. Probably sail a Hunter." Then all of us will be safe and none of us will look like dweebs.
