Sailors as a group are very generous and helpful to others in need. But do some boaters take advantage of this generous spirit and go out on the water without adequately preparing themselves and/or their boats? Should sailors stay on the dock until they are completely prepared to deal with most if not all "emergency" sailing situations? If so, would any of us ever get out on the water? Do we learn best by doing under the theory that whatever doesn't kill us makes us stronger? What should you absolutely be prepared to handle on your own, and when is it OK to ask for help? State your case then vote in this week's Quick Quiz at the bottom of the home page. (Quiz contributed by Gary Wyngarden)
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Peggie Hall/Head Mistress
At the very least it would be wise to know
Where all the seacocks are, whether they're open or closed and whether they work What equipment is on the boat and how it works...or How to turn it off. Whether your wiring is frayed and likely to cause a fire...or at least... Where the fire extinguishers are--and whether they work Where the bilge pumps are and whether they work What condition your batteries are in How much fuel you have What shape your sails and rigging are in How your electronics work, and whether they do Optional: How the toilet works How the stove works
Where all the seacocks are, whether they're open or closed and whether they work What equipment is on the boat and how it works...or How to turn it off. Whether your wiring is frayed and likely to cause a fire...or at least... Where the fire extinguishers are--and whether they work Where the bilge pumps are and whether they work What condition your batteries are in How much fuel you have What shape your sails and rigging are in How your electronics work, and whether they do Optional: How the toilet works How the stove works
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Jim Maroldo
What Peggie says, plus...
Make sure that YOU are prepared by bringing proper clothing and/or foul weather gear, PFD for everyone on board, first-aid kit (make sure it's in good condition - that stuff doesn't last forever), drinking water, and any meds that may be required by passengers or crew. I alway add extra batteries for my portable radio and falshlight; just in case...
Make sure that YOU are prepared by bringing proper clothing and/or foul weather gear, PFD for everyone on board, first-aid kit (make sure it's in good condition - that stuff doesn't last forever), drinking water, and any meds that may be required by passengers or crew. I alway add extra batteries for my portable radio and falshlight; just in case...
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Hall Palmer
Depends on Circumstances
How well prepared and competent one should be is a function of the degree of risk to yourself and others that will arise if things go wrong. It is one thing to get into difficulty close to help and in good weather where giving assistance is not a great imposition on anyone and and another to need help due to lack of competence far out at sea where rescue is difficult, dangerous and expensive for all concerned.
How well prepared and competent one should be is a function of the degree of risk to yourself and others that will arise if things go wrong. It is one thing to get into difficulty close to help and in good weather where giving assistance is not a great imposition on anyone and and another to need help due to lack of competence far out at sea where rescue is difficult, dangerous and expensive for all concerned.
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John Post
Eveeryone should be resposible for themselves.
I beleive that each of us should be resonsilbe for ourselves. If one chooses to venture out on the water they should be prepared. No one can be prepared for all events but each of us should at least try. Think! All of our action will have effects on someone else.
I beleive that each of us should be resonsilbe for ourselves. If one chooses to venture out on the water they should be prepared. No one can be prepared for all events but each of us should at least try. Think! All of our action will have effects on someone else.
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Bob Todd
Too many people...
...engage in risky activities (some use the term extreme) without fully assessing the danger involved or properly preparing themselves or their equipment. The web and other forms of modern communications have caused many people to become lazy with regard to gathering information and preparing for tasks. Read a book facrissake! Do some research! Stop relying so heavily on other people! Did it ever dawn on some of these nimrods that the person whose advice they are relying on could be wrong? One of the biggest problems today is that there are scores of people and/or organizations to get you out of a jam. Self-reliance is almost outmoded. Running out of fuel in your sailboat is NOT a MAYDAY! Dead batteries in your GPS is NOT an emergency! It's situations like these that will result in "Fee-for-use" policies for USCG services. Read! Make checklists! Read some more! Crosscheck! Inspect! Prepare! And then, after you have expended a little bit of your own time and effort, check with experts to ensure you haven't forgotten anything. Give a man a fish and he'll eat for a day...Teach him to fish and he'll eat for a lifetime! Everytime someone asks for something without expending any effort the only thing they learn is that they can rely on everyone else. Our welfare program is a perfect example of this. None of us is perfect, but you can bet your wallet that the person who is ready to go in 5 minutes doesn't stand a chance in an emergency. I know there are many who will disagree with this line of thinking. But I know that I will be prepared to meet challenge. There are two types of people in this world...ants, and grasshoppers...which one are you? Just my two-cents (US) Cheers, Bob
...engage in risky activities (some use the term extreme) without fully assessing the danger involved or properly preparing themselves or their equipment. The web and other forms of modern communications have caused many people to become lazy with regard to gathering information and preparing for tasks. Read a book facrissake! Do some research! Stop relying so heavily on other people! Did it ever dawn on some of these nimrods that the person whose advice they are relying on could be wrong? One of the biggest problems today is that there are scores of people and/or organizations to get you out of a jam. Self-reliance is almost outmoded. Running out of fuel in your sailboat is NOT a MAYDAY! Dead batteries in your GPS is NOT an emergency! It's situations like these that will result in "Fee-for-use" policies for USCG services. Read! Make checklists! Read some more! Crosscheck! Inspect! Prepare! And then, after you have expended a little bit of your own time and effort, check with experts to ensure you haven't forgotten anything. Give a man a fish and he'll eat for a day...Teach him to fish and he'll eat for a lifetime! Everytime someone asks for something without expending any effort the only thing they learn is that they can rely on everyone else. Our welfare program is a perfect example of this. None of us is perfect, but you can bet your wallet that the person who is ready to go in 5 minutes doesn't stand a chance in an emergency. I know there are many who will disagree with this line of thinking. But I know that I will be prepared to meet challenge. There are two types of people in this world...ants, and grasshoppers...which one are you? Just my two-cents (US) Cheers, Bob
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Bob Teasdale
Be prepared
1 Check weather forcast 2 Have a vhf radio and check with another operater to make sure it is working properly 3 give a sail plan to the marina you are leaving 4when on the water go through saftey proceedures [man overboard jiffy reafing etc. 5 if possible sail with another boat 6 be prepared for anything, experince is the best teacher 7 most of all do not PANIC if anything happens 8 if you are prepared you should have a wonderful time sailing
1 Check weather forcast 2 Have a vhf radio and check with another operater to make sure it is working properly 3 give a sail plan to the marina you are leaving 4when on the water go through saftey proceedures [man overboard jiffy reafing etc. 5 if possible sail with another boat 6 be prepared for anything, experince is the best teacher 7 most of all do not PANIC if anything happens 8 if you are prepared you should have a wonderful time sailing
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Brad Newell
Help
Speaking from my own experience, I think that, no matter how much you read, new boaters are inclined to think that they ARE prepared to deal with whatever comes along. Experience is what teaches us which spares are really necessary to be carried and what situations are potentially dangerous. Boating is one of those activities where you do learn by doing. When we started sailing, almost 40 years ago, my wife and I took several classes from the Power Squadron and I, with the arrogance of youth (compounded by being a fighter pilot), assumed that I could deal with whatever came along. And, for the most part, I did. Thinking back, I believe that the only help I can recall requesting was for an occasional tool that I had not thought I would need. And one time I managed to run out of fuel when powering down the Washington coast, enroute from Seattle to Astoria. In that instance we "borrowed" five gallons of gas from a fisherman. We did have provisions enough to wait a couple of weeks for the wind to come up, but thought it wiser to get to shore - my vacation did have limits. (One of those things that you have to learn for each boat is your fuel burn rate for various conditions - in this case, towing a dingy had increased ours by 50%.) In general, I think that folks should solve their own problems. Helping yourself is one of those satisfying things about cruising. It would be foolish, however, not to seek assistance if you are actually in danger, not merely inconvenienced. While anchoring in the Solomon Islands, one windy day, I did manage to snag another vessel's anchor and had to take it in tow until we cleared the other boats. There was no one aboard that vessel and we could have just stayed clear of the harbor until the weather improved. We thought it wiser, however, to ask for someone from shore to assist with reanchoring the other boat and that's what we did. Friends came out by dinghy and assisted. In our present cruising grounds, the most common reason for assistance requests is due to running out of fuel, or engine failure, in areas with substantial tidal currents. In those cases, it would generally be foolish not to ask for help. Having said all of this, I have met folks on the water that have taken NO boating courses from anyone and apparently have read nothing to prepare themselves for their activities.
Speaking from my own experience, I think that, no matter how much you read, new boaters are inclined to think that they ARE prepared to deal with whatever comes along. Experience is what teaches us which spares are really necessary to be carried and what situations are potentially dangerous. Boating is one of those activities where you do learn by doing. When we started sailing, almost 40 years ago, my wife and I took several classes from the Power Squadron and I, with the arrogance of youth (compounded by being a fighter pilot), assumed that I could deal with whatever came along. And, for the most part, I did. Thinking back, I believe that the only help I can recall requesting was for an occasional tool that I had not thought I would need. And one time I managed to run out of fuel when powering down the Washington coast, enroute from Seattle to Astoria. In that instance we "borrowed" five gallons of gas from a fisherman. We did have provisions enough to wait a couple of weeks for the wind to come up, but thought it wiser to get to shore - my vacation did have limits. (One of those things that you have to learn for each boat is your fuel burn rate for various conditions - in this case, towing a dingy had increased ours by 50%.) In general, I think that folks should solve their own problems. Helping yourself is one of those satisfying things about cruising. It would be foolish, however, not to seek assistance if you are actually in danger, not merely inconvenienced. While anchoring in the Solomon Islands, one windy day, I did manage to snag another vessel's anchor and had to take it in tow until we cleared the other boats. There was no one aboard that vessel and we could have just stayed clear of the harbor until the weather improved. We thought it wiser, however, to ask for someone from shore to assist with reanchoring the other boat and that's what we did. Friends came out by dinghy and assisted. In our present cruising grounds, the most common reason for assistance requests is due to running out of fuel, or engine failure, in areas with substantial tidal currents. In those cases, it would generally be foolish not to ask for help. Having said all of this, I have met folks on the water that have taken NO boating courses from anyone and apparently have read nothing to prepare themselves for their activities.
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Kent Hunter-Duvar
Define prepared?
Are any of us really prepared for anything that can happen. I carry a large, well equipped first aid kit and we've taken the appropriate first aid courses. I don't carry an automatic defibrilltor (so don't have a heart attack on me please, I can't do CPR AND sail). We carry extra PFD's, jacklines, harness's, extra flares, extinguishers, and all kinds of assorted spares. Regular and handheld VHF's. But we can't carry spare everything, so you have to decide on the balance of probablilties, which items deserve space. We've also upgraded rigging, the reefing systems, running rigging and winches. The ONLY time, I've had to ask for help, our anchor dragged and we needed a tow off the beach (if no one available to tow us, we'd have tried kedging). I immediately upgraded our anchoring system to a better anchor and over twice the rode. I do think "power" boaters are more likely to go out unprepared. On a long weekend last summer, local CG reported 104 calls for assistance. ONE was a grounded sailboat, the other 103 were POWER boats. The most difficult thing to prepare for is bad weather. You can upgrade and check all your systems. You can plan what you'll do and how you'll do it (reef, run downwind, heave to, etc.), but you won't really know, until you're in that first big blow, whether or not you were truly physically or mentally ready. I'm pleased to say, WE WERE.
Are any of us really prepared for anything that can happen. I carry a large, well equipped first aid kit and we've taken the appropriate first aid courses. I don't carry an automatic defibrilltor (so don't have a heart attack on me please, I can't do CPR AND sail). We carry extra PFD's, jacklines, harness's, extra flares, extinguishers, and all kinds of assorted spares. Regular and handheld VHF's. But we can't carry spare everything, so you have to decide on the balance of probablilties, which items deserve space. We've also upgraded rigging, the reefing systems, running rigging and winches. The ONLY time, I've had to ask for help, our anchor dragged and we needed a tow off the beach (if no one available to tow us, we'd have tried kedging). I immediately upgraded our anchoring system to a better anchor and over twice the rode. I do think "power" boaters are more likely to go out unprepared. On a long weekend last summer, local CG reported 104 calls for assistance. ONE was a grounded sailboat, the other 103 were POWER boats. The most difficult thing to prepare for is bad weather. You can upgrade and check all your systems. You can plan what you'll do and how you'll do it (reef, run downwind, heave to, etc.), but you won't really know, until you're in that first big blow, whether or not you were truly physically or mentally ready. I'm pleased to say, WE WERE.
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W. Bell
Be ready
I think most sail people have a god idea what they are doing. The power boaters start and point where they want to go (most of them). If you are going to sail, most of us will check the weather, and actually look to the sky for weather problems. It always makes me wonder why more power boaters don't just drop the anchor when they have a problem...sort it out and be on their way. I know i drop the anchor if something breaks, so that i can fix it. The biggest thing for us is 'thin' water and stopping quickly...ouch. Have i helped other boaters...sure. Have i needed help..yes, but really only once. The darned outboard came loose...and took a swim.(I saved it and it ran well, but someone needed it more than me and ripped it off) So i had seatow drag me back to my slip. Big bucks...but it was 2 in the a.m. I check the boat before sailing, during sailing and after sailing...most of us do. You can only have so much stuff aboard...so if we see a problem, we note it and fix it Before we go out again. Regards, Bill "Nameless" Catalina 22 Port Orange, FL
I think most sail people have a god idea what they are doing. The power boaters start and point where they want to go (most of them). If you are going to sail, most of us will check the weather, and actually look to the sky for weather problems. It always makes me wonder why more power boaters don't just drop the anchor when they have a problem...sort it out and be on their way. I know i drop the anchor if something breaks, so that i can fix it. The biggest thing for us is 'thin' water and stopping quickly...ouch. Have i helped other boaters...sure. Have i needed help..yes, but really only once. The darned outboard came loose...and took a swim.(I saved it and it ran well, but someone needed it more than me and ripped it off) So i had seatow drag me back to my slip. Big bucks...but it was 2 in the a.m. I check the boat before sailing, during sailing and after sailing...most of us do. You can only have so much stuff aboard...so if we see a problem, we note it and fix it Before we go out again. Regards, Bill "Nameless" Catalina 22 Port Orange, FL
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Bob
To Bob
Give a man a fish and he'll eat for a day...Teach him to fish and he'll "sit in a boat an drink beer all day" Seriously, I agree with you for the most part. Bob
Give a man a fish and he'll eat for a day...Teach him to fish and he'll "sit in a boat an drink beer all day" Seriously, I agree with you for the most part. Bob
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J. Hunt
NEWBIES
I'm a new sailor, which I understand is the worst thing that anyone can be. Unfortunately, those that do not grow up on the water (my dad gets sea sick)have very few educational options. Your typical certification class simply DOES NOT prepare you to face ANY emergency. I believe that there is no substitute for getting out on the water and experiencing what nature can throw at you. I also feel that new sailors should do their best to limit their risks by staying close to port and avoiding obvious weather risks until they are completely comfortable with their boat and their skills.
I'm a new sailor, which I understand is the worst thing that anyone can be. Unfortunately, those that do not grow up on the water (my dad gets sea sick)have very few educational options. Your typical certification class simply DOES NOT prepare you to face ANY emergency. I believe that there is no substitute for getting out on the water and experiencing what nature can throw at you. I also feel that new sailors should do their best to limit their risks by staying close to port and avoiding obvious weather risks until they are completely comfortable with their boat and their skills.
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Tom Hopely
Foretold is Forearmed
I can't agree more than with all that has been said, especially with education. The USCG Auxiliary gives all kinds of classes FREE with only a charge for materials. There are so many boaters on the water who have not taken any kind of boating safety or seamanship course that many of themare actually a danger to other boaters and swimmers. But, times are changing, and licensing is happening just as in automobiles. It has started with jetski (PWCs) and the younger set. Didn't mean to get on this, but last summer, I asked a boater dragging his children around in a tube, "Where is your flag?" He promptly held up a small American flag, not the triangular red flag indicating a skier or tube in tow. He didn't have a clue and yet he was putting his children at risk to some nut in a high speed craft who probably had the same knowledge. Enough said!
I can't agree more than with all that has been said, especially with education. The USCG Auxiliary gives all kinds of classes FREE with only a charge for materials. There are so many boaters on the water who have not taken any kind of boating safety or seamanship course that many of themare actually a danger to other boaters and swimmers. But, times are changing, and licensing is happening just as in automobiles. It has started with jetski (PWCs) and the younger set. Didn't mean to get on this, but last summer, I asked a boater dragging his children around in a tube, "Where is your flag?" He promptly held up a small American flag, not the triangular red flag indicating a skier or tube in tow. He didn't have a clue and yet he was putting his children at risk to some nut in a high speed craft who probably had the same knowledge. Enough said!
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Steve Reynolds
Asking for help
I've been actively sailing since I was 6. Most all of my experience comes from trial and error. Sometimes not the best way to learn but does seem to stick..."for those of us like me ...hard headed". One thing I have learned is that you can sit on the dock all season and think you are ready but you won't know until you have the opportunity to use your vessel. I see many people working all year long to "get her ready" and never really go out to enjoy the act of "Sailing". I think this feeds the notion that Sailboats are a lot of work. I think reasonable judgement on weather, rigging, motor and general observation of the safty of a vessel is fine for most bay and coastal sailors. Advice from others that have experience seems also to be of great value. One thing that sticks out in my mind every time I go out is no matter how well you think you are prepared anything can happen. Being calm in a potientally serious situation seems to be the one denominator that has proven positive over the course of time. With these things in mind asking for help is always a positive. It gives you the opportunity to learn and hopefully avoid major mishaps. In my opinion sail as much as you can and ask as much as you need to be comfortable on the water.
I've been actively sailing since I was 6. Most all of my experience comes from trial and error. Sometimes not the best way to learn but does seem to stick..."for those of us like me ...hard headed". One thing I have learned is that you can sit on the dock all season and think you are ready but you won't know until you have the opportunity to use your vessel. I see many people working all year long to "get her ready" and never really go out to enjoy the act of "Sailing". I think this feeds the notion that Sailboats are a lot of work. I think reasonable judgement on weather, rigging, motor and general observation of the safty of a vessel is fine for most bay and coastal sailors. Advice from others that have experience seems also to be of great value. One thing that sticks out in my mind every time I go out is no matter how well you think you are prepared anything can happen. Being calm in a potientally serious situation seems to be the one denominator that has proven positive over the course of time. With these things in mind asking for help is always a positive. It gives you the opportunity to learn and hopefully avoid major mishaps. In my opinion sail as much as you can and ask as much as you need to be comfortable on the water.
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King Elliott
Start small for safety
I started sailing with a rental Sunfish at Panama City, Florida, 25 or 30 years ago. Only instruction given was to turn into the wind. Naturally, I gybed accidentally and the boom smashed me in the mouth and knocked me overboard. That's when I learned it is very important to listen to instructions. I then moved to Miami and bought a 16' Hobie. Instructions included how not to "pitchpole". After pitchpoling several times, I learned about weight and balance. Next boat was a 22'Chrysler with an erratic outboard. I learned how to sail up to the dock and stop without ramming it. Then I took a course put on by the Coast Guard. This is where I learned most of the necessary do's and don't's. I recommend everyone who plans to go out on the water often to take this or a similar course. I then went to a 28-foot Irwin and learned how to avoid going aground in Biscayne Bay (by going aground and getting towed at great expense, or by getting help from other boaters). I now have a 30-foot Hunter and, after 30 years,have nearly learned how to avoid going aground. My best advice is to take a sailing course that includes both lectures and actual sailing. That can help a novice avoid many of the problems I encountered, and learned from.
I started sailing with a rental Sunfish at Panama City, Florida, 25 or 30 years ago. Only instruction given was to turn into the wind. Naturally, I gybed accidentally and the boom smashed me in the mouth and knocked me overboard. That's when I learned it is very important to listen to instructions. I then moved to Miami and bought a 16' Hobie. Instructions included how not to "pitchpole". After pitchpoling several times, I learned about weight and balance. Next boat was a 22'Chrysler with an erratic outboard. I learned how to sail up to the dock and stop without ramming it. Then I took a course put on by the Coast Guard. This is where I learned most of the necessary do's and don't's. I recommend everyone who plans to go out on the water often to take this or a similar course. I then went to a 28-foot Irwin and learned how to avoid going aground in Biscayne Bay (by going aground and getting towed at great expense, or by getting help from other boaters). I now have a 30-foot Hunter and, after 30 years,have nearly learned how to avoid going aground. My best advice is to take a sailing course that includes both lectures and actual sailing. That can help a novice avoid many of the problems I encountered, and learned from.
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John Linford
Early, Often, Anabashedly
Great question! I think it best to try to establish working relationships with others in the marina, offering a hand or just a pleasant good morning. But I say never wait untill vessel or health or life is threatened to ask. As to preperation, be well read, ask lots of advice, and then get out there; you'll never be ready for everything.
Great question! I think it best to try to establish working relationships with others in the marina, offering a hand or just a pleasant good morning. But I say never wait untill vessel or health or life is threatened to ask. As to preperation, be well read, ask lots of advice, and then get out there; you'll never be ready for everything.
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Russ Garecht
Calling for help is not the same as a mayday
I agree with just about everything that has been said. Self taught in my book is usually better. Certifications are suppose to be universal but it is really the instructor, even in a basic keel boat course, who sets the agenda. We learned from a guy who was a racer so we did not get much information on prep for cruising or even day sailing. It was fun, for me anyway, to put the rails in the water but I'm not sure I really walked away with much except a piece of paper that lower my insurance. This was the toughest question I have seen in a long time. I think it kind of mixed apples and oranges. Calling for help is not a mayday. A serious medical emergency, a fire, or a lost MOB are all mayday situations, being lost probably isn't. We ask for help a lot, even at sea but we don't broadcast maydays. In the Sea of Cortez we are not blessed with many of the luxuries of you guys in the States. Coast Guard? Towing service? English language weather forecast? We have to be a lot more self sufficient. It is a 14 hour round trip for me if I forget something and have to run home to get it. Russ Her Diamond Ring
I agree with just about everything that has been said. Self taught in my book is usually better. Certifications are suppose to be universal but it is really the instructor, even in a basic keel boat course, who sets the agenda. We learned from a guy who was a racer so we did not get much information on prep for cruising or even day sailing. It was fun, for me anyway, to put the rails in the water but I'm not sure I really walked away with much except a piece of paper that lower my insurance. This was the toughest question I have seen in a long time. I think it kind of mixed apples and oranges. Calling for help is not a mayday. A serious medical emergency, a fire, or a lost MOB are all mayday situations, being lost probably isn't. We ask for help a lot, even at sea but we don't broadcast maydays. In the Sea of Cortez we are not blessed with many of the luxuries of you guys in the States. Coast Guard? Towing service? English language weather forecast? We have to be a lot more self sufficient. It is a 14 hour round trip for me if I forget something and have to run home to get it. Russ Her Diamond Ring
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G Kerr
Don't leave home without it
In my opinion, If you are not prepared to take the responsibility for the safety of yourself and all passengers aboard then don't leave the dock. That may sound harsh but ask any insurance company about statistics as they relate to experience and preparation. This means more than having up to date flares lifejackets and other safety equipment for all on board. A good knowledge of navigation and weather are critical to any trips success. Although not all skippers have completed formalized courses or have certification this does not mean that they are inept. But every sailor should know basic navigation skills, know how to perform a person overboard drill (succesfully)and have the ability to comfortably guide inexpereienced crew in more critical situations. The boat itself should be seaworthy and maintained to a standard that equates to reasonable safety. A pilot who makes a mistake rarely gets a chance to make another. Although a sailboat is more forgiving (usually)we should be expected to use due dilligence in the maintenance and operation of our vessels. Recently the Canadian Coastguard has instated a licensing procedure for all vessel operators. Although this is not a cure-all undertaking it is the first step in attempting to develop a minimum critical standard for vessel operators. But just remember for the most part, that when you leave the dock, the people on your vessel look at you as the all knowing skipper and have an expectation or assumption of knowledge on your behalf. I'm a stong advocate in using the boyscouts motto "be prepared", we should not rely on others to "save us" in a emergency. Firstly there is no gaurantee that any one will get to you in time and, their is no gaurantee that they are skilled enough to actually render assistance. Due dilligence, don't leave home without it!
In my opinion, If you are not prepared to take the responsibility for the safety of yourself and all passengers aboard then don't leave the dock. That may sound harsh but ask any insurance company about statistics as they relate to experience and preparation. This means more than having up to date flares lifejackets and other safety equipment for all on board. A good knowledge of navigation and weather are critical to any trips success. Although not all skippers have completed formalized courses or have certification this does not mean that they are inept. But every sailor should know basic navigation skills, know how to perform a person overboard drill (succesfully)and have the ability to comfortably guide inexpereienced crew in more critical situations. The boat itself should be seaworthy and maintained to a standard that equates to reasonable safety. A pilot who makes a mistake rarely gets a chance to make another. Although a sailboat is more forgiving (usually)we should be expected to use due dilligence in the maintenance and operation of our vessels. Recently the Canadian Coastguard has instated a licensing procedure for all vessel operators. Although this is not a cure-all undertaking it is the first step in attempting to develop a minimum critical standard for vessel operators. But just remember for the most part, that when you leave the dock, the people on your vessel look at you as the all knowing skipper and have an expectation or assumption of knowledge on your behalf. I'm a stong advocate in using the boyscouts motto "be prepared", we should not rely on others to "save us" in a emergency. Firstly there is no gaurantee that any one will get to you in time and, their is no gaurantee that they are skilled enough to actually render assistance. Due dilligence, don't leave home without it!
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Frank / MD / H260
Read, Study, Practice and play it smart...
Last year was our first year back after 30 years playing beach crabs. We read, took a sailing course, studies everything we could get our hands on and started to sail, but only on nice days. We sailed and practiced want we had learned. A little later we went out on nastier days, just to practice. This year, we'll do the same. Take it slow, relearn it all again, practice it all again, and don't do any thing stupid. But, yes, I'm one of those self reliant kind of guys that would rather shot myself rather than ask for help. If I'm looking for help, I'm in deep trouble...
Last year was our first year back after 30 years playing beach crabs. We read, took a sailing course, studies everything we could get our hands on and started to sail, but only on nice days. We sailed and practiced want we had learned. A little later we went out on nastier days, just to practice. This year, we'll do the same. Take it slow, relearn it all again, practice it all again, and don't do any thing stupid. But, yes, I'm one of those self reliant kind of guys that would rather shot myself rather than ask for help. If I'm looking for help, I'm in deep trouble...
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Erik
Self-sufficiency
I must say that due to being a firefighter/paramedic and also an auto mechanic, I can be judgemental about unprepared people. I see cases of it every day on my job. Regarding sailing, everybody doesn't need to be prepared for the Whitbread in order to go out on the bay for a daysail. But they should have basic sailing skills, emergency equipment, and a well-maintained boat. Taking the time to get instruction from a qualified person, especially regarding equipment specific to their boat, can go a long way toward preventing an emergency. Everybody reacts differently in an emergency, but being prepared and skilled enough to NOT get into a hazardous situation can make the difference between a good day and bad day on the water. It's ok to ask for minor assistance (short tow) while out on the water, but most of these incidents seem to be caused by inexperience and/or being unprepared. It's also important to call a MAYDAY if it looks like the situation is going to get a whole lot worse (major property damage, personal injury/death).
I must say that due to being a firefighter/paramedic and also an auto mechanic, I can be judgemental about unprepared people. I see cases of it every day on my job. Regarding sailing, everybody doesn't need to be prepared for the Whitbread in order to go out on the bay for a daysail. But they should have basic sailing skills, emergency equipment, and a well-maintained boat. Taking the time to get instruction from a qualified person, especially regarding equipment specific to their boat, can go a long way toward preventing an emergency. Everybody reacts differently in an emergency, but being prepared and skilled enough to NOT get into a hazardous situation can make the difference between a good day and bad day on the water. It's ok to ask for minor assistance (short tow) while out on the water, but most of these incidents seem to be caused by inexperience and/or being unprepared. It's also important to call a MAYDAY if it looks like the situation is going to get a whole lot worse (major property damage, personal injury/death).
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