Sailing Charter World: Global Network - Local Knowledge

Safety at Sea

The LLLL rule.
In the old days of sailing, the master of the ship had to know at all times the four L: lead, log, longitude and lookout. Thanks to our modern means we have NO EXCUSE to disrespect it nowadays.

The Boat 'Ships are all right, it's the men in them' Joseph Conrad
We cannot agree with Conrad that vessels are rarely to blame for incidents, but itdoes not mean we have to overlook its care and maintenance, or fail to grasp its basic systems and characteristics. Even if we call ourselves sailors, the importance of the engine cannot be overstressed. Only a well maintained engine will be able to reach a safe anchorage, to help us fight a storm, to keep the batteries charged and the pumps going, or help us in mooring. The RNLI underlines this:
All research seems to indicate that engine failure is responsible for a significant proportion of incidents. The RNLI knows this from its records, and the MCA similarly is aware of the issues. Running out of fuel is also a common cause of service and fits neatly with engine maintenance as a simple safety message. If you have an engine in your craft then we would strongly recommend that you know the basics of starting, running and maintaining it. Appropriate spares should be carried on board and fuel should be calculated on approximately 1/3 for the outward trip, 1/3 for the return and 1/3 as spare. Do not reply on fuel gauges as these have been know to be faulty. Where possible, an alternative means of propulsion should be carried. Engine failure alone is not a distress situation: it does not warrant a Mayday call or the use of flares unless lack of power has put the boat and crew in grave and imminent danger.
Apart from the usual controls (water, oil and filters), we strongly recommend to know well:
- how to start the engine without the keys (bridging the cables, for example, but watch the sparks)
- how the cable that stops the engine works: many times this jams and the engine cannot start again)
- the position of the seacocks, to be sure the cooling circuit is open;
- the fuel lines: sometimes diesel impurities stop the flow before the filter;
- the ways the engine starts and feeds itself: a diesel engine rarely stops alone;
- in case of a gale, start the engine frequently to make sure that cooling water does not enter the cyclinders.

The RNLI safety page

Safety equipment
Many sailors put more attention to the safety of the boat rather than its safety equipment. It's the school of thought we belong to: it's way more important to know how NOT to lose a man overboard than to know perfectly how to save him (a manoeuvre that in many cases is altogether impossible). Here is a list of the essentials one must have aboard:
- lifelines where crew can hook to and still be able to move freely from stem to stern;
- storm sails;
- perfect knoledge of the reefing tecqniques even in the dark;
- lit compass;
- a good radio;
- radar reflector
- a good dinghy, always inflated and well tied up on deck (some keep water tanks attached to it, that works as ballast and water reserve in case of emergency);
- fire extinguisher;
- the usual legal stuff (fireworks, liferafts and lifejackets).

Remember that one never goes down into a liferaft, but only climbs in it.
Before leaving harbour
And also in case of worsening weather, crossings and doubt:
- study the course, the lights, the characteristics and the location of the closest harbours and shelters;
- have some safe GPS waypoints ready;
- check the forecast well;
- close hatches and lockers. Close the air vents in case of gale; - prepare harnesses, lifelines, compass light, and a wistle for the helmsman;
- prepare watches, the crew and a basic diet.

COLREGS: How to prevent collisions at sea

Anchors and anchorages The importance of the anchors and the anchoring tecqniques cannot be overstressed. We have 3 anchors aboard, Faith, Hope and Charity. Always verify you have a second anchor aboard, with a complete rode for it. Also check the second anchor can be easily shackeld to the main anchor rode. This weighs down the main chain and dramatically improves the holding power. Remember that the anchor is not a magnet and one has to let go AT LEAST 3 times the bottom. Chose the anchorage according to the weather that is coming. SET THE ANCHOR WELL. Always have a safe anchorage in mind. Remember that sudden squalls with winds of 40 or 50 knots are common in the Mediterranean summer thunderstorms.

Weather
All professional skippers agree that there is no excuse nowadays to remain caught in a gale or a storm. A storm in the logbook is not something to boast about, but something to avoid like Aids. The prudent captain knows how to avoid a gale, then how to face them. It's essential to:
- know the times and channels of the forecast in the area;
- stand by on channel 16 (without using it unnecessarily);
- know how to read the barometer;
- try to study the prevailing bad winds well;
- do not behave like heroes;
- watch for cumulonimbus clouds, those splendid white mushrooms rising up to the sky, announcing cold fronts;
- stay away from lighting.

Crew selection, an essay

Prepare the crew
Even unexperienced crew should know what to do and where to stay in case of bad weather and emergencies. They should at least be able to give a hand in reefing sails (properly hooked up). Then things might go wrong, and a minimum of an emergency plan should be at hand. Here follows a clip'n'carry sample. - Keep calm. I know, it's not easy, bur we have a rational mind as well, and it will be comforting to know that sinking is a statistically remote possibility, especially away from land. And if land is close, well, one should be able to reach it, right? Follow the skipper's instructions well and do your best NOT TO FALL IN THE DRINK. Remember that in many situations to stand on a boat is like to stand on a 100-storeys building. If you fall, you're gone;
- Close lockers, hatches and airvents, and fix everything fixable.
- Verify with the radio, without alarming, the presence and the alert level of the stations around (coast guard, ships, army and so on). All stations, all stations, all stations, this is sailing vessel such and such;
- The skipper will decide who steers and who helps manoeuvring. All the others please go inside. If that is not possible, please hook up and stay away from the manoeuvres. Those who stay inside can be of great help studying the surrounding coast for shelter and manning the radio and the pumps.
- It's essential to keep a steerage way. Reduce sail as much as possible and keep the desired and safe course.
- Crew comfort is essential: do your best to stay warm and dry, eat salty, drink no gas, and do your best to comfort the others.
- If there is no lee shore around and you need to wait or rest, or again if the wind is pushing the boat in the wrong direction, HEAVE TO.

check the weather forecast

You'll be surprised how comfortable heaving to is, up to 50 knots. More than enough for the med. Sometimes it is even better than a bad anchorage, and it's self steering, therefore no helmsman is necessary. In case it is necessary to abandon ship, and I underline it must be absolutely necessary (the boat must be sinking), here is the radio procedure:
DISTRESS TRANSMITTING PROCEDURES
(For use only when in grave and imminent danger and IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE is required)
- Ensure transmitter is switched on and set to VHF Channel 16.
- then say: MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY THIS IS (Ship's name or callsign 3 times)
POSITION
NATURE OF DISTRESS
AID REQUIRED
NUMBER OF PERSONS ON BOARD and ANY USEFUL INFORMATION
OVER
- Listen for a reply and if none heard repeat above procedure.
Everyone should have an emergency duty: freshwater, food, GPS, communication equipment and phones, warm blankets and clothes, rockets, satellite radio beacon (keep in with you!!!!!), dinghy, paddles and so on. Ballast the dinghy with water tanks. Abandon ship at the very last minute.

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