A few more...
1. Don't lean on the lifelines. 2. Offer a seasick pill or bracelet now. 3. Offer sunscreen now.
1. Don't lean on the lifelines. 2. Offer a seasick pill or bracelet now. 3. Offer sunscreen now.
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The Capt. Bligh's Rule
Quite a simple rule, got a few looks when I said this for a joke! I am the Captain, What I say goes! Anyone who doesn't do what I say, immediately, will walk the plank! Anyone who asks a question will be considered a mutiniar. Mutiniars will be hung. Anyone who spills a beer will be flogged Anyone who spills my beer will be keel drug! Any questions?
Quite a simple rule, got a few looks when I said this for a joke! I am the Captain, What I say goes! Anyone who doesn't do what I say, immediately, will walk the plank! Anyone who asks a question will be considered a mutiniar. Mutiniars will be hung. Anyone who spills a beer will be flogged Anyone who spills my beer will be keel drug! Any questions?
assign roles
The first thing I ask my guests is whether they want to be considered "crew" or "guests." If they opt for crew status, they are handed a pair of sailing gloves and assigned a job. If they opt for guest status, they are handed a beverage. .......... As far as the "sit-when-using-the-head rule, I no longer have to say a word because there are placards posted in each head that say, "Gentlemen, all sailors sit, even in port." enough said
The first thing I ask my guests is whether they want to be considered "crew" or "guests." If they opt for crew status, they are handed a pair of sailing gloves and assigned a job. If they opt for guest status, they are handed a beverage. .......... As far as the "sit-when-using-the-head rule, I no longer have to say a word because there are placards posted in each head that say, "Gentlemen, all sailors sit, even in port." enough said
Treasure Hunt
For the younger guests (that covers a LOT of ages!) a treasure hunt is helpful for the saftey gear part of the orientation. I have a stowage diagram that shows where all the saftey-related equipment is stored. One copy is always mounted next to the companionway, but I have several other copies that are laminated. I give a new guest one of the laminated charts and a china marker and let them go find each item and cross it off. This not only saves me from having to talk at them for 10 minutes, it also helps them learn their way around the boat, figure out how to open the various latches and catches, and gives them a chance to see and feel each device. I can do other stuff while the are on the hunt, with occasional pauses to answer questions.
For the younger guests (that covers a LOT of ages!) a treasure hunt is helpful for the saftey gear part of the orientation. I have a stowage diagram that shows where all the saftey-related equipment is stored. One copy is always mounted next to the companionway, but I have several other copies that are laminated. I give a new guest one of the laminated charts and a china marker and let them go find each item and cross it off. This not only saves me from having to talk at them for 10 minutes, it also helps them learn their way around the boat, figure out how to open the various latches and catches, and gives them a chance to see and feel each device. I can do other stuff while the are on the hunt, with occasional pauses to answer questions.
Keep the suggestions coming
Keep these great suggestions coming - very helpful to a "newbie" crew member
Keep these great suggestions coming - very helpful to a "newbie" crew member
All these rules remind me of when I was racing...
I raced in the pacific northwest for thirty years and over time have had a number of different crews. We developed our "rules" over time and generally from different experiences. Rule No. 1. We're going out to have fun! I've had crew members and guests who get very serious about their sailing. Rule No. 2. If I hear one splash, I want to hear two! I had a crew member who got so excited that he flung the winch handle overboard. Rule No. 3. Unnecessary cheating is immoral. Rule No. 4. Only first class beverages and snacks allowed. We once had a crew member who brought the cheapest beer and the worst peanuts he could find. We went to micro-brews and cashews after he left. Rule No. 5. Keept the boat in the water and the water out of the boat. Rule No. 6. Don't hit anyone and don't let anyone hit us. Simplified version of the rules of the road. Rule No. 7. See rule no. 1 We've had some grand times using these rules.
I raced in the pacific northwest for thirty years and over time have had a number of different crews. We developed our "rules" over time and generally from different experiences. Rule No. 1. We're going out to have fun! I've had crew members and guests who get very serious about their sailing. Rule No. 2. If I hear one splash, I want to hear two! I had a crew member who got so excited that he flung the winch handle overboard. Rule No. 3. Unnecessary cheating is immoral. Rule No. 4. Only first class beverages and snacks allowed. We once had a crew member who brought the cheapest beer and the worst peanuts he could find. We went to micro-brews and cashews after he left. Rule No. 5. Keept the boat in the water and the water out of the boat. Rule No. 6. Don't hit anyone and don't let anyone hit us. Simplified version of the rules of the road. Rule No. 7. See rule no. 1 We've had some grand times using these rules.
A minor variation on rule #4...
guests who bring cheap brew or crummy snacks don't get invited back!
guests who bring cheap brew or crummy snacks don't get invited back!
Do not let your guests bring anything or else!!
In the Coast Guards eyes if you accept food, drink or other compensation for taking guests out on your boat then you are operating a charter service and must be a licensed captain. You need a six pack license or better in this case. Of course you can say it is your beer but the Coast Guard will take your passengers and get them alone and ask them if they gave you anything, they will likely be proud that they did and answer yes. At that point you either show them your license or they will confiscate your boat. Of course if you are a captain then you are all set unless you break some other rule. Best Regards. Dave
In the Coast Guards eyes if you accept food, drink or other compensation for taking guests out on your boat then you are operating a charter service and must be a licensed captain. You need a six pack license or better in this case. Of course you can say it is your beer but the Coast Guard will take your passengers and get them alone and ask them if they gave you anything, they will likely be proud that they did and answer yes. At that point you either show them your license or they will confiscate your boat. Of course if you are a captain then you are all set unless you break some other rule. Best Regards. Dave
That may be technically true...
...but it's hard for me to imagine a coastie doing that unless he's had a really bad day. A pot luck is viewed as compensation?
...but it's hard for me to imagine a coastie doing that unless he's had a really bad day. A pot luck is viewed as compensation?
Maybe the Russian Coast Guard
Not the one I know, else they would have every boat around to auction off.
Not the one I know, else they would have every boat around to auction off.
That rule was changed several years ago, Dave
Sharing fuel expenses or contributing food and drink is no longer considered compensation. It's only "compensation" if you charge a fee or hourly rate to take people out on your boat. The CG and the IRS apparently finally figured out that, if it were "compensation," everyone who ever hosts a potluck dinner, accepts a bottle of wine from dinner guests or allowed houseguests to take them out to dinner would have to have be licensed as a hotel...and every college kid who who shares gas expense with 4 buddies to drive to FL for spring break would need a chauffeurs license.
Sharing fuel expenses or contributing food and drink is no longer considered compensation. It's only "compensation" if you charge a fee or hourly rate to take people out on your boat. The CG and the IRS apparently finally figured out that, if it were "compensation," everyone who ever hosts a potluck dinner, accepts a bottle of wine from dinner guests or allowed houseguests to take them out to dinner would have to have be licensed as a hotel...and every college kid who who shares gas expense with 4 buddies to drive to FL for spring break would need a chauffeurs license.
life preservers
On a bit of a more serious note, one rule we have is that all children wear life preservers. This includes kids through high school age. My immediate family wears life preservers all the time (my wife and I and my kids). We tell the visiting adults that we choose to do so, they can decide for themselves what they wish to do, but that their kids will have to wear them.
On a bit of a more serious note, one rule we have is that all children wear life preservers. This includes kids through high school age. My immediate family wears life preservers all the time (my wife and I and my kids). We tell the visiting adults that we choose to do so, they can decide for themselves what they wish to do, but that their kids will have to wear them.
Dave I agree and...
we added the provison that of the kids who could not swim around the boat had to wear a life jacket above deck while at anchor or in port. We always left the boarding ladder down when on board in port so that if you did go over you could get back on. Everyone (adults included) wore them underway whether they swam or not. The kids learned to swim young! This rule is not draconian or particulary uncomfortable if you have good comfortable pfds. As a dinghy sailor it felt completely natural to wear one. The inflatable harnesses make it even more comfortable although I do worry about auto inflation if someone is unconscious.
we added the provison that of the kids who could not swim around the boat had to wear a life jacket above deck while at anchor or in port. We always left the boarding ladder down when on board in port so that if you did go over you could get back on. Everyone (adults included) wore them underway whether they swam or not. The kids learned to swim young! This rule is not draconian or particulary uncomfortable if you have good comfortable pfds. As a dinghy sailor it felt completely natural to wear one. The inflatable harnesses make it even more comfortable although I do worry about auto inflation if someone is unconscious.
Why are you worried about auto-inflation...
if the person is unconcious? Isn't that kind of the idea behind auto-inflators, or am I missing something? I have a total of 5 sospenders with the auto-inflator set-up, mainly because it's a lot easier to get people to put one on and leave it on. Each one also has a small strobe light attached in case they go overboard in the dark. (I've also recently seen a new product called a 'rescue streamer' that is a small roll of bright orange mylar, about a foot wide and 25 feet long that unfurls and floats on the water to make a person more visible. I'll probably be adding those to the jackets soon) I've only had one occasion to try the auto-inflate mechanism on the jacket and that was right after I purchased the first one. I really wanted to see how well it working, so I put it on and jumped off the dock. Sure enough, it puffed right up and worked just fine. However, one test doesn't prove reliability. Does anyone know how reliable these things are? Would I be better off putting the kids and non-swimmers in regular (non-inflatable) PFD's? Any info would be appreciated. Jeff P.S. One more possible item for Heidi: visitors to my boat are also informed that any ringing cell phones will be immediately subjected to an 'inherent flotation test'!
if the person is unconcious? Isn't that kind of the idea behind auto-inflators, or am I missing something? I have a total of 5 sospenders with the auto-inflator set-up, mainly because it's a lot easier to get people to put one on and leave it on. Each one also has a small strobe light attached in case they go overboard in the dark. (I've also recently seen a new product called a 'rescue streamer' that is a small roll of bright orange mylar, about a foot wide and 25 feet long that unfurls and floats on the water to make a person more visible. I'll probably be adding those to the jackets soon) I've only had one occasion to try the auto-inflate mechanism on the jacket and that was right after I purchased the first one. I really wanted to see how well it working, so I put it on and jumped off the dock. Sure enough, it puffed right up and worked just fine. However, one test doesn't prove reliability. Does anyone know how reliable these things are? Would I be better off putting the kids and non-swimmers in regular (non-inflatable) PFD's? Any info would be appreciated. Jeff P.S. One more possible item for Heidi: visitors to my boat are also informed that any ringing cell phones will be immediately subjected to an 'inherent flotation test'!
Its not that they accidentaly inflate
Jeff, From your post I believe our philosopies are much alike. We feel responsibility for those on the boat. You are thinking seriously about safety and taking good precautions. In fact you stated my worry more clearly than I in your closing remarks - "Does anyone know how reliable these things are? Would I be better off putting the kids and non-swimmers in regular (non-inflatable) PFD's? Any info would be appreciated." My unclearly stated worry is that inflation may not occurr - the inflation water sensing mechanism may be somehow desensitized somehow through poor storage, sand or mud or insects. Perhaps the vest has become punctured or the gas canister has somehow bled off. I believe wearing PFDs is the better way to go as they are basically passive devices - you do have to do them up properly though an. On the other hand, the advantage is that people who for some reason don't want to wear PFDs may wear sospenders. The fact is that, well designed PFDs are not that uncomfortable - we wear them on big boats, dinghy sailing and canoeing. There is a significant difference in comfort between good PFDs and cheap ones. You pose the question - should the kids and non swimmers wear PFDs? What about adults who may be unconscious when fallling overboard due to a heart attack or being knocked on the head by the boom. You can't predict what state a person will be in when they go over. By the way - properly designed small children's PFDs have a crotch strap to prevent them from sliding over their heads and a 'handle' at the top that allows you to lean overboard and pluck them from the water - another reason to stick with PFDs. I hope that someone replies with good info re. the reliability of auto inflatable pfds in actual usage condition (not the lab). Perhaps I am being pessimistic - however I do believe in Murphy's Law.
Jeff, From your post I believe our philosopies are much alike. We feel responsibility for those on the boat. You are thinking seriously about safety and taking good precautions. In fact you stated my worry more clearly than I in your closing remarks - "Does anyone know how reliable these things are? Would I be better off putting the kids and non-swimmers in regular (non-inflatable) PFD's? Any info would be appreciated." My unclearly stated worry is that inflation may not occurr - the inflation water sensing mechanism may be somehow desensitized somehow through poor storage, sand or mud or insects. Perhaps the vest has become punctured or the gas canister has somehow bled off. I believe wearing PFDs is the better way to go as they are basically passive devices - you do have to do them up properly though an. On the other hand, the advantage is that people who for some reason don't want to wear PFDs may wear sospenders. The fact is that, well designed PFDs are not that uncomfortable - we wear them on big boats, dinghy sailing and canoeing. There is a significant difference in comfort between good PFDs and cheap ones. You pose the question - should the kids and non swimmers wear PFDs? What about adults who may be unconscious when fallling overboard due to a heart attack or being knocked on the head by the boom. You can't predict what state a person will be in when they go over. By the way - properly designed small children's PFDs have a crotch strap to prevent them from sliding over their heads and a 'handle' at the top that allows you to lean overboard and pluck them from the water - another reason to stick with PFDs. I hope that someone replies with good info re. the reliability of auto inflatable pfds in actual usage condition (not the lab). Perhaps I am being pessimistic - however I do believe in Murphy's Law.
And not just the tan line...
It seems that the hardest people to get to wear a PFD are teenagers. It's considered 'way uncool, Uncle Jeff' to be seen wearing a jacket when kids their same age on other boats aren't wearing them. Especially true with 14-17 yo females! Anyhow, Malcolm, I agree. I'd really like to know about the real-world reliability of the auto-inflator PFD's. I change the bobbins and CO2 cartridges each season, check them each time I hand them out, etc. but I too am a firm believer that Murphy is an optimist, and what better time for him to show up at the party than when someone has just been bonked in the noggin by a flying boom and sent for a swim? The kid-size AI pfd's I got also have foam flotation built-in, so even if it didn't inflate, there is still some positive bouancy, but the adult sizes don't have that feature. I also carry 6 type 1 PFD's onboard, and I think if a storm came-up and things got nasty, I'd want everyone to trade-in the AI's and put on the type 1's. Having been on a number of other peoples boats where the Captain showed little if any concern for safety proceedures and the welfare of his guests, (powerboats!) I decided long ago to never be one of those guys and to always take my responsibility in that area very seriously. I mean, how would you like to be the one to say "Well sis, the Coast Guard is still looking for little Johnny, maybe they'll find him in the morning. Sorry I didn't make him put on a life jacket when he came aboard." Never gonna happen on my boat. The kids know the rule: put on the jacket or get off the boat, no discussion allowed. And hey, what fun is ultimate power if you don't use it once in awhile? ;D Jeff
It seems that the hardest people to get to wear a PFD are teenagers. It's considered 'way uncool, Uncle Jeff' to be seen wearing a jacket when kids their same age on other boats aren't wearing them. Especially true with 14-17 yo females! Anyhow, Malcolm, I agree. I'd really like to know about the real-world reliability of the auto-inflator PFD's. I change the bobbins and CO2 cartridges each season, check them each time I hand them out, etc. but I too am a firm believer that Murphy is an optimist, and what better time for him to show up at the party than when someone has just been bonked in the noggin by a flying boom and sent for a swim? The kid-size AI pfd's I got also have foam flotation built-in, so even if it didn't inflate, there is still some positive bouancy, but the adult sizes don't have that feature. I also carry 6 type 1 PFD's onboard, and I think if a storm came-up and things got nasty, I'd want everyone to trade-in the AI's and put on the type 1's. Having been on a number of other peoples boats where the Captain showed little if any concern for safety proceedures and the welfare of his guests, (powerboats!) I decided long ago to never be one of those guys and to always take my responsibility in that area very seriously. I mean, how would you like to be the one to say "Well sis, the Coast Guard is still looking for little Johnny, maybe they'll find him in the morning. Sorry I didn't make him put on a life jacket when he came aboard." Never gonna happen on my boat. The kids know the rule: put on the jacket or get off the boat, no discussion allowed. And hey, what fun is ultimate power if you don't use it once in awhile? ;D Jeff
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