Safety at Sea | Online Sailing Course

Safety at Sea: by Captain Ed Mapes. The traits of independence and self-sufficiency are absolute requirements in the mental makeup of those of us who venture offshore. The sailor who shudders at the thought of taking on repairs or coping with emergency situations should not take vessels or crews to sea. During my three decades of ocean sailing, I have discovered this incontrovertible fact: Murphy's Law is in full effect out there - things do go wrong, and unforeseen events come up in spite of the best intentions and most meticulous preparations. I know that this challenge is what draws me to sail the oceans, and it's also the reason that making landfall is such an indescribably proud moment. It is a feeling only experienced by those who dare to sail away from land, where only they can determine success.

The most capable skippers are those who give forethought and action to developing protocols and procedures to cope with situations that can arise well in advance of the sailing date, and outfit their vessels appropriately for eventualities at sea.

What would I do if the rudder broke? How would I cope if a shroud terminal cracked? Could I get the crew safely into the liferaft if the boat went down? Asking these questions in advance is a great way to make ready for the sea. We might not pre-fabricate replacements for everything that could break, but the exercise provides us the chance to have materials and tools ready to build a rudder, for example. We could have a plan in mind to substitute for a shroud and keep the rig standing. We would know what goes wrong with a wind vane, what to look for, and how to return it to use.

Most mariners don't realize that we never even hear about the many crews aboard vessels that had their share of problems offshore. Situations were evaluated, repairs were completed, and they made landfall quietly and efficiently - this was done as a normal course of passage making. These able sailors had the skills, materials, and a plan to cope - having merely to carry out the work to get back on course. They understand that overcoming obstacles is a normal part of blue-water sailing.

Taking stock of our boats with thorough inspections and considering what can go wrong is an exercise that helps skippers respond to trouble on the water. Ready to Sail, my first book, was written to help mariners conduct thorough, systematic vessel inspections in their efforts to ensure seaworthiness and preparation.

Protocols are sets of steps to be taken when situations or mishaps threaten the ship. The finest skippers not only formulate given protocols but extend their responsibility to teach those procedures to crewmembers before leaving the harbor. This preparation and the knowledge gained during the process not only makes the skipper more capable and seamanlike but also lends credibility to his abilities and fosters confidence in the whole ship's company. The crew's proficiency and confidence levels are enhanced when they understand that protocols are in place for all contingencies. That confidence is a key ingredient to alleviating fear and anxiety that can be detrimental to performance.

My Safety at Sea Clinic addresses the protocols that have proven effective for my crews - not merely in theory or during classroom sessions but during - thousands of miles at sea.

If you're considering venturing more than 20 miles offshore, you NEED the information in this clinic.

By Ed Mapes
USCG Captain Master Mariner

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