Offshore Cruising - Safety Essentials.

[Lighthouse]

I came across this very interesting article by Beth A. Leonard & Evans Starzinger HERE

Anyone who asks you "But is it safe what your doing?", point them to this article.

It makes very interesting reading.

[JeanneP]

I wholeheartedly agree with all they say.

"Our worst moments have almost all been caused by our own stupid mistakes, and we have so far managed to get out of all them without permanent damage. "

Same with us.

Everybody should read this.

[Nausikaa]

I too concur completely with the article. In my experience (as a coast guard officer and yachtsman) it is not the offshore cruiser who gets into trouble as a rule ..... and if he does he tries to fix it himself. Most "shouts" are from folks going out for the day in good weather and then running into problems as the wind rises in the afternoon or simply from folks who have dirty fuel resulting in the engine stopping.

No, cruising is about as safe an activity as you can get if you are prepared for emergencies. Those of you looking for near-death experiences should try crossing the road in Aden, wearing a Stormers jumper at a Bulls rugby match or my ex-wife's cooking. Never be put off by imaginary risks.

Aye

Stephen

Yacht NAUSIKAA