The July issue of Sail Magazine reports on a seminar held by the Cruising Club of America entitled "Suddenly Alone". Focused on the cruising couple, it deals with the topic of what happens when the captain goes overboard or is incapacitated by a knock on the head from the boom or from a heart attack, etc. What would happen on your boat? Can the crew retrieve a man overboard? Can they handle the boat by themselves and sail or motor to safety? Do they know how to use the VHF to call for help? Could they navigate back to a safe anchorage? Could they dock the boat or drop anchor in a safe place? Gary Wyngarden S/V Shibumi H335
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Overboard drills
I just got my copy of the July issue in the mail yesterday and, of course, have already read it cover to cover. I found the article very interesting. My 8 year old nephew and I sail together a lot. This question crossed my mind on more than one occassion. I started doing overboard drills with him, taught him to use the VHF and the GPS to give his coordinates. He knows how to raise and lower the sails and steer the boat. Through these drills, I am very confident that he could at least stop the boat and/or call for help in an emergency. He just loves being on the water whether we are drilling or sailing.
I just got my copy of the July issue in the mail yesterday and, of course, have already read it cover to cover. I found the article very interesting. My 8 year old nephew and I sail together a lot. This question crossed my mind on more than one occassion. I started doing overboard drills with him, taught him to use the VHF and the GPS to give his coordinates. He knows how to raise and lower the sails and steer the boat. Through these drills, I am very confident that he could at least stop the boat and/or call for help in an emergency. He just loves being on the water whether we are drilling or sailing.
Unless You Have Really Practiced..
..I think you should treat each outing as singlehanded. While my wife says she could get back to me, and we have done a drill or two, I think it is very unlikely I could count on her for help. She would have her hands full just keeping the boat under control. Rick D.
..I think you should treat each outing as singlehanded. While my wife says she could get back to me, and we have done a drill or two, I think it is very unlikely I could count on her for help. She would have her hands full just keeping the boat under control. Rick D.
Ricks's response. . . .
makes me wonder. How many of us find our First Mates in toleration mode? My wife never complains but I sense she might be thinking about other things she could be doing. Fortunately she loves to read and sit in the sun. So like Rick I always feel that I am single-handling. I do have her take the helm occasionally and, if she is not too engrossed, work a jib sheet on a tack. She has been taught to heave-to, not much else. But the point is not lost. I will give her more instruction.
makes me wonder. How many of us find our First Mates in toleration mode? My wife never complains but I sense she might be thinking about other things she could be doing. Fortunately she loves to read and sit in the sun. So like Rick I always feel that I am single-handling. I do have her take the helm occasionally and, if she is not too engrossed, work a jib sheet on a tack. She has been taught to heave-to, not much else. But the point is not lost. I will give her more instruction.
She did pretty well
I said “Gayle pretend I am having a heart attack. Take over and bring us in.” Which she did pretty well. That evening she sat next to me and said “Walt pretend I am having a relapse. Cook the dinner, serve it, wash dry and put away the dishes.” Which I did quit well.
I said “Gayle pretend I am having a heart attack. Take over and bring us in.” Which she did pretty well. That evening she sat next to me and said “Walt pretend I am having a relapse. Cook the dinner, serve it, wash dry and put away the dishes.” Which I did quit well.
Slowly working in...
I am getting my wife familiar with heaving, then dropping the sails, and then firing up the motor to come back and retrieve me. We've got the heave down, next she'll work in dropping both sails by herself with no one at the helm (she can drop 'em with me at the helm quite nicely). I figure turning the key will be the easiest thing to do, as she already knows how to motor the boat. Really important stuff Gary, glad you brought it up. I think we get lulled into thinking we are supermen a little too often. Best Regards, Rob
I am getting my wife familiar with heaving, then dropping the sails, and then firing up the motor to come back and retrieve me. We've got the heave down, next she'll work in dropping both sails by herself with no one at the helm (she can drop 'em with me at the helm quite nicely). I figure turning the key will be the easiest thing to do, as she already knows how to motor the boat. Really important stuff Gary, glad you brought it up. I think we get lulled into thinking we are supermen a little too often. Best Regards, Rob
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