Safety measures
Posted: Thu Oct 13, 2016 3:28 pm
I mostly sail with inexperienced crew, who at some point may well become experienced. Nearing the end of the season way north here in the Chicago area, I am thinking about what can go wrong and how best to deal with it. These are all questions open for discussion.
- Water temperature.
One must consider the possibility of going for an unintentional swim. I think 60°F is about the cut-off point, below which it's probably best to stay home. In winds less than 10 knots, maybe this is less of an issue?
http://www.crh.noaa.gov/Image/grr/prese ... -53-46.pdf
- Wind
Probably under 15 knots to minimize the chances of going for an unintentional swim.
- VHF radio.
I have a handheld radio. I think everyone should know how to use it, but it should be attached to the skipper's life preserver. It would probably be best if everyone aboard had one. I don't see having more than 3 or 4 four souls aboard, so expensive, but not prohibitive. A waste if you don't need it, incredibly cheap if you do. Since we are always sailing near shore, cell phones will work, so maybe having everyone carry their phones in ziplock bags will suffice. In this case, store the harbor's, the USCG and each other's numbers.
- GPS
Having an active trace of where you've been, and marking the MOB point can help find a person in water if you loose sight of them. If there is no crew to act as spotter, it can be easy to loose sight of them.
- Tether
I think the skipper should always be tethered if (s)he is the only one that can sail the boat well enough to maneuver for a pick-up. Should one be tethered to both jack lines at the same time? Should everyone aboard be tethered? Is a standard (non-harness) PFD an adequate attachment?
- Emergency Lines
Keep a rope ladder on the motor mount or a stern cleat. Keep lines on the mid cleats to help right the boat in the event of a capsize.
- Teaching the crew
While I think it is important that everyone knows how to sail the boat, when the wind is up, it's too easy to have an inexperienced hand flip the boat.
- Water temperature.
One must consider the possibility of going for an unintentional swim. I think 60°F is about the cut-off point, below which it's probably best to stay home. In winds less than 10 knots, maybe this is less of an issue?
http://www.crh.noaa.gov/Image/grr/prese ... -53-46.pdf
- Wind
Probably under 15 knots to minimize the chances of going for an unintentional swim.
- VHF radio.
I have a handheld radio. I think everyone should know how to use it, but it should be attached to the skipper's life preserver. It would probably be best if everyone aboard had one. I don't see having more than 3 or 4 four souls aboard, so expensive, but not prohibitive. A waste if you don't need it, incredibly cheap if you do. Since we are always sailing near shore, cell phones will work, so maybe having everyone carry their phones in ziplock bags will suffice. In this case, store the harbor's, the USCG and each other's numbers.
- GPS
Having an active trace of where you've been, and marking the MOB point can help find a person in water if you loose sight of them. If there is no crew to act as spotter, it can be easy to loose sight of them.
- Tether
I think the skipper should always be tethered if (s)he is the only one that can sail the boat well enough to maneuver for a pick-up. Should one be tethered to both jack lines at the same time? Should everyone aboard be tethered? Is a standard (non-harness) PFD an adequate attachment?
- Emergency Lines
Keep a rope ladder on the motor mount or a stern cleat. Keep lines on the mid cleats to help right the boat in the event of a capsize.
- Teaching the crew
While I think it is important that everyone knows how to sail the boat, when the wind is up, it's too easy to have an inexperienced hand flip the boat.