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.
Safety
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.
Propane is an intrinsically dangerous fuel to have on a boat. Here are 10 tips to ameliorate the risk of an explosion.
Free Introductory Chapter I would be the first to commend the authors of the report on their diligence in analyzing the capsize of the Beneteau First 40.7 "Cheeki Rafiki" and the tragic loss of four lives.
Having said that I believe said report failed the offshore sailing community in its recommendations. Here are my thoughts on what we need to do to prevent another tragedy in the future.
To be safe we need to be open to reviewing our assumptions in the light of new information. John takes a fresh look at the Spinlock Deckvest that he and Phyllis have used for years, and also revisits the whole issue of wearing crotch straps, or not.
The key to person overboard prevention is never losing contact with the boat. In this chapter I take you through an easy to use (with a little practice) system, which we have evolved over 20 years sailing offshore short-handed on our boat, that will enable you to stay clipped on at all times and still have the mobility and reach to sail your boat properly.
The sound of gushing water from below has got to be right up there on any voyaging sailor's list of worst nightmares. On Morgan's Cloud, given that we believe that any pump that is practical for a yacht, no matter how powerful, is going to be of limited use in a flooding situation, we have always [...]
Thoughts on the tragic loss of "Cheeki Rafiki". One of the most difficult posts I (John) have ever written.
Lightning strike! Just the words can make us cruising sailors, who sail around the ocean with the highest thing in hundreds of square miles sticking up, nervous.
This post by Matt, AAC Engineering Correspondent, will help you understand how lighting strikes happen and what you can do to reduce the associated risks.
As I think I've made clear in the previous two chapters of this Online Book, keeping the water out is a number one commitment for any offshore boat. And not just large amounts, although obviously that’s a fundamental priority, too. Relatively modest amounts of water can cause real issues with sensitive electronics, especially in today's shallow [...]
There are few things more miserable on a boat at sea than salt water below from deck leaks. And if said leaks get bad enough, they can sink you. Colin has a whole series of tips on how to stop that happening to you.
One of the things that is attractive about metal construction is the ease with which structural modifications can be made. What would require substantial amounts of design, planning, physical work and cost in a GRP boat can require very little effort in metal, whether steel or aluminium. A good example of this is the installation [...]
Matt, AAC Technical Correspondent takes a look at the challenges of dealing with a fire at sea. In all likelihood, his post will get you thinking, as it did me, about how inadequate the fire fighting resources on your boat are and what to do about it.
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