Safety

We all have navigation lights, and many of us AIS transponders too, so we assume that other vessels can easily see us at night, but can they really? John shares some tips learned from a real life night encounter with another yacht.

What about using a climbing harness with tether for Person Overboard Prevention? John takes a look at this oft-suggested idea.

John takes a look at the innovative TeamO Backtow Lifejacket/Harness.

In the last chapter, John wrote about the two different types of tethers he and Phyllis use on “Morgan’s Cloud”. In this chapter he follows up with the details of how they build each type.

Our project to improve person overboard prevention systems has been a long and winding three-year-to-traverse road. But we are nearly there. Here’s the first of two chapters on tethers.

Are you making or ordering jacklines to keep your crew safely on the boat? John takes a deep dive into the right material, stitching, and attachment techniques. This is truly a project where the details matter.

We have shown that sidedeck jacklines are deeply flawed and may even be more dangerous than no jacklines at all, due to drag risk and the false sense of security they confer. But can we get rid of them and still work our boats efficiently? Yes, we can! Here’s how, with video proof.

Centre line jacklines are the right thing to do…but not easy to rig so they actually work. Here’s how we solved the problems from mast to bow.

More developments on the tragedy, but John still thinks that the most important point is being missed. Complimentary Post

Just three years ago I thought I really understood Person Overboard (POB) Prevention. And then I found out how many of my cherished ideas about what would keep me and my crew safe were just plain wrong. Here are 20 things I have since learned that could save your life. Complimentary Post

Some of the world’s most interesting cruising destinations are subject to theft and violence. Colin provides tips to stay safe. Fixation on risk plays no part in adventure…but planning does. Complimentary Post.

In the last two chapters we discovered that the jackline systems most of us use for POB prevention are pretty much useless. Now we are moving on to what to do about that—the good stuff.

There is so much wrong with commonly-used person overboard prevention systems that I couldn’t fit it all in one chapter…here’s Part 2.

Most of us offshore sailors rely on clipping our harness tether to a jackline to stay safe. But, in many cases, we are totally deluding ourselves, because if we do go over the side, something may break and cast us adrift, or we will drown by dragging.