Category: - Mariner's Guide to Nautical Information

It's not my job.

9/21/2013

Are specific jobs on your boat done exclusively by one particular individual? One person always maintains the engine, another always does the varnishing; one person does the provisioning and galley work, another does the navigation planning and execution; one person is always at the helm, another person always does the anchor work. The list could go on. Cross-training is a buzzword in business and industry, and it can be a good idea on a boat, too. Having people aboard who can take over to give each other a break from always having to do the same task contributes to an efficient and safer boat.

If the particular crew member who is the only one who knows how to handle the boat, navigate, or make a minor engine repair becomes incapacitated, safety could be affected. Certainly, each person is better at some things than others, but most people can learn a new task or part of a task, if they’re willing to try. Having a cross-trained crew makes life aboard more interesting and pleasant for all. The chief varnisher may not give up putting on the flawless final coats, but almost anyone can do the surface preparation. The mechanic on the boat doesn’t have to teach the complicated engine repairs, but almost anyone can learn to change the engine fluids, tighten belts, replace an impeller, bleed the fuel system, clean and check the engine, etc.

(See “The Engine Room” at www.womenandcruising.com/admirals-angle/2008/06/22-the-engine-room.) Probably the skipper is not going to have any luck trying to cross-train someone to disassemble the toilet or work on the holding tank, but there is really nothing that most people cannot learn to do if they’re willing, encouraged and taught. Share the responsibility. Share the fun.

Create a happy, harmonious crew

5/27/2013

No matter who is aboard, family or friends, it’s up to the skipper to create the atmosphere for a crew that works well together and has fun. Captain Bligh didn’t have the knack, and look what happened. Here are some basic things a skipper can do to help foster a crew who works well together and enjoys being aboard your boat.

(1) recognize that some people may be apprehensive or uncertain about being on the water or about being able to do things safely aboard a boat.

(2) Involve everyone: help non-boating family members, guests, and children feel that they are a part of the crew.

(2) Give everyone a meaningful task (within their capabilities), and take time to explain what you want each person to do, well before he or she is expected to do it.

(3) Keep everyone informed, without going into too much detail.

(4) Be generous with praise where it is merited.

(5) Include yourself in the blame if something goes wrong. “I’m sorry, I guess I didn’t explain clearly enough.” “ We goofed, didn’t we?” “Not your fault; I should have come closer to the dock.” Usually a person knows when he or she is at fault; they probably don’t need to have a stern reminder or a chewing out.

(6) Be generous with thanks.

Brief and debrief.

12/15/2012

Before beginning a maneuver that requires the crew to participate (such as docking, anchoring, reefing or changing a sail, tacking or jibing, coming alongside another boat, etc.), brief everyone who will be involved about what you plan to do and what each person is expected to do. Explain things well in advance of the maneuver so people don’t have to rush around at the last minute to get ready. After completing the maneuver, review what each of you did well and what might have been done better. It’s good for learning and for crew cohesiveness. It’s even good to brief and debrief yourself if you’re single-handing.

Call 911! Oh, I forgot. We're offshore.

11/29/2012

If you take your boat offshore or to areas where medical assistance beyond first aid is not readily available it’s a good idea to take an emergency medicine seminar/course that teaches you more than basic and advanced first aid. All boaters should take a basic first aid course (basic first aid may be combined with a CPR course), and advanced first aid as well, depending on where their boating takes them. An offshore medicine seminar/course will give you advanced techniques for dealing with medical emergencies and severe injuries, and perhaps enable you to save a life while you wait for professional assistance. Look for a course that covers medical emergencies occurring at sea; wilderness medicine usually deals mainly with emergencies on land, and being on the water has some hazards which may require different procedures. Find offshore medicine seminars/courses from an Internet search, advertisements in the boating press, and the websites of various boating organizations. See also “Crew and Health” in the Mariner’s Guide Topic Index, p. 517, for entries related to crew health and emergencies.

The cruising attitude.

10/1/2012

I recently attended the Seven Seas Cruising Association Gam in Annapolis, MD and had the pleasant fortune to sit at a dinner table with three couples who are preparing to begin long-term cruising in the next few years. Conversation flowed freely and they talked about what they have been doing to get ready to go and how they were feeling about what lies ahead. It seemed that they all share the cruising attitude, one of the requirements for a successful experience. Some of the things they were doing include:

(1) paying attention to preparing the boat.
(2) developing skills for self-reliance afloat.
(3) reading as much as they can about all sorts of subjects relevant to cruising and attending cruising-oriented events to hear presentations from recognized experts.
(4) taking courses in navigation and other nautical subjects.
(5) learning and practicing safety techniques.
(6) having realistic expectations.
(7) looking forward to new experiences and meeting new people.
(8) expressing a positive attitude, enthusiasm AND (last but definitely not least) a sense of humor.

What else can you add to this list?

Oh, I'm never, ever sick at sea.

8/30/2012

Yeah, right. Under some conditions anyone can get seasick. Some people are very immune, but one day it will happen even to the most resistant boater. Mal de mer ranges from mild discomfort (green around the gills) to a medical emergency (serious dehydration from vomiting). You don’t want to become so incapacitated by seasickness that you can’t function and thus pose a danger to yourself and others aboard. There are lots of articles and books that discuss seasickness prevention – the best method is the one that works for you. Try several to find out. Sitting under a tree works for everyone. See pp. 361-362 in the Mariner’s Guide for a discussion of seasickness.

Who's in charge?

8/25/2012

The skipper is in charge and bears the responsibility for the safe operation of the boat and the welfare of everyone aboard. That sounds simple enough, but when family or friends are aboard they may unintentionally take over and influence decisions. This can happen especially when the skipper is still learning and there are more experienced boaters aboard. Sometimes a person offers advice, and the skipper follows it because it comes from an “old salt.” This may be a good way to learn something new, but, in some cases, the skipper or the crew may not be experienced enough to judge the validity of the suggestion or to carry out the idea properly. Or a crewmember says “you don’t have to do that; we never do that on Karen’s boat,” and the skipper agrees, without thinking more about it. Then there’s the crewmember who shows another person how to do something in a manner that is quite different from what the skipper asked the person to do, saying “here’s a better way.” There may be a reason the skipper told the person to do it that way. The bottom line is that while the skipper may consider advice from the crew, the final decision is his or her own. In some cases, a decision may have to be a quick one when things are going wrong, and the ultimate responsibility is the skipper’s. The rest of the people aboard should be sensitive to this when making comments or giving advice.

What can boaters learn from reading about boating accidents?

8/19/2012

Safety lessons. After boating accidents, investigations are conducted and reports are issued. Government authorities, such as the Coast Guard, the department of transportation marine division, and/or the police may be involved. Private groups, such as committees of boating experts, race committees, and organizations involved in sail and powerboat racing and cruising may also conduct investigations. Their reports give details and useful information, providing safety guidance for all boaters.

Reading about accidents may give the impression that boating is a particularly dangerous sport, but remember that safe days on the water usually are not reported in the press.

Thirty-eight foot sailboat Low Speed Chase capsized during the 58-mile Full Crew Farallon Islands Race, San Francisco, California, April 14, 2012. Five lives were lost, the first time for a fatality since this race series began in 1907.

During the race, Low Speed Chase sailed over a relatively shallow area (28 ft.) along a lee shore and was capsized by a series of large waves and driven on the rocks. Seven of the eight crew were thrown into the water and five persons died. The investigating panel held that the “failure of seamanship in negotiating shoal waters on a lee shore” was the direct cause of the incident. “If the crew of Low Speed Chase had sailed in deeper water, they could have prevented the tragedy.” In addition to the primary cause, there were other safety issues which “may have mitigated the outcome.”

1. "Inadequate personal safety gear in use for offshore conditions.”
2. “Communication difficulties and discipline among the entire fleet” [of racing sailboats]
3. “Race management protocol flaws creating uncertainty around search and rescue
efforts.”
[above quotes from pp. 4-5, Farallones Report]

Recommendations of the panel. There were four factors that may have increased the survival chances:
1. staying with the boat on the rocks
2. higher buoyancy lifejackets
3. water activated lifejackets
4. thigh or crotch straps on inflatable lifejackets
The use of harness tethers is also discussed extensively in the report.

Take the time to read the very comprehensive full report, the excellent footnotes, and the appendices. There are many details applicable to sail and power boats, whether cruising or racing. Especially note Appendix D, pp. 35–39, for very good information about the behavior of waves in shallow water. Appendix E has Capsize Incident Details from Survivors; Appendix G includes Medical Reports, Injuries to Crew, Survival (with analysis and recommendations); Appendix H discusses Vessel Damage, with photos; Appendix I covers Race Organization/Communications; Appendix K summarizes the responses from race participants to a post-race questionnaire. These appendices are very instructive and interesting.

Find the US Sailing summary of the accident and the link to full report at http://media.ussailing.org/Latest_News/2012/USS_Farallones_Report.htm

Can you see me now? Part 2

6/26/2012

Recently I’ve been looking at the boating clothing people are wearing (it's been raining) and thinking about its visibility if someone fell overboard. In an April 12, 2012 post I commented on the desirability of wearing brightly-colored upper body clothing while aboard. What I am seeing rather frequently this summer is dark blue or black foul weather jackets with bright green hoods. OK, the hoods are visible when they are on the wearer’s head, but what if a person falls overboard and the hood blows off or fills with water and comes off? Maybe I’m making too much of this, but I’m happy when my crew wears bright colors on their entire upper body (and they look better in the photos, too.)

What makes a welcome crew member?

6/9/2012

All skippers have their personal lists, but here are a dozen general things to do that will make you a welcome crew member or guest aboard a boat.
(1) At the time you are invited to go on out on the boat, ask the skipper what you should bring or not bring. That’s the best guide to help you pack.
(2) Pack lightly – bring as little as you can for the length of the trip, and put your gear in a soft duffle bag or cloth carrying bag.
(3) Wear non-marking rubber-soled shoes or boating shoes.
(4) Bring a small gift for the boat – non-perishable food, snacks, or soft drinks are usually welcome.
(5) Arrive at the boat at the time you were given or a little early. Call the skipper if you are unavoidably detained.
(6) Bring rainwear, even if it’s inexpensive plastic, if there’s a chance that it could rain.
(7) When you come aboard, ask the skipper what you can do to help before the boat departs.
(8) Be cheerful during the trip and show you are having a good time (even if you aren’t).
(9) Volunteer to help and ask what you can do.
(10) Don’t distract the skipper, the person at the helm, or other crew members during stressful times (docking and undocking, anchoring, dealing with nearby boat traffic, boat problems, sail changes, etc.). Try to do what you’ve been asked to do or stay quietly out of the way if you don't have a task.
(11) When you arrive at the destination or back home ask what you can do to help make the boat tidy; don’t just jump ship.
(12) If appropriate, offer to take the skipper (and first mate, if there is one) to lunch or dinner as a “thank you,” and so no one gets stuck in the galley upon arrival.