Im reading about this sort of shit thing way the frell too often, organize-fight-win, and a cruising perspective I share...
The recent loss of Carly Hill from "Oryx" has had me reevaluating my entire thought process where MOB situations and two-person crews are concerned. My old thoughts on the subject being mostly centered around the DFOTFB (dont fall off the fucking boat) plan.
Back when we sailed Loose Moose and Loose Moose 2 we were often criticized because neither boat had lifelines (Phil Bolger not being a fan of such things) and I felt that lifelines enabled a false sense of security... Just for the record I still think that lifelines are problematic in this regard but they do make a good place to hang up clothes to dry which they are quite handy for.
On the other hand, I do put a lot (perhaps too much) faith in jacklines and a somewhat obsessive use of harness when the the conditions indicate needful.
The thing is that when Carly Hill went overboard the conditions were reportedly benign...
Accidents happen and just yesterday walking to the store I nearly went ass over teakettle on a sidewalk avoiding a bit of nastiness left over by some errant dog and, as I regained my balance thought to myself how easily accidents happen as a school bus nearly clipped me as it roared past. To be honest, the thought of "It was a dog turd/schoolbus that got him" on my headstone being somewhat tacky also came to mind...
Anyway, Ive been thinking quite a bit on the subject and starting to do some serious research in such things as AIS/DSC Personal Locators like this one which seems to make a lot of sense in that it gives the person left behind a proactive means of finding you in the event shit happens.
Listening to Hunter and the Bear
So it goes...
Read More..
The recent loss of Carly Hill from "Oryx" has had me reevaluating my entire thought process where MOB situations and two-person crews are concerned. My old thoughts on the subject being mostly centered around the DFOTFB (dont fall off the fucking boat) plan.
Back when we sailed Loose Moose and Loose Moose 2 we were often criticized because neither boat had lifelines (Phil Bolger not being a fan of such things) and I felt that lifelines enabled a false sense of security... Just for the record I still think that lifelines are problematic in this regard but they do make a good place to hang up clothes to dry which they are quite handy for.
On the other hand, I do put a lot (perhaps too much) faith in jacklines and a somewhat obsessive use of harness when the the conditions indicate needful.
The thing is that when Carly Hill went overboard the conditions were reportedly benign...
Accidents happen and just yesterday walking to the store I nearly went ass over teakettle on a sidewalk avoiding a bit of nastiness left over by some errant dog and, as I regained my balance thought to myself how easily accidents happen as a school bus nearly clipped me as it roared past. To be honest, the thought of "It was a dog turd/schoolbus that got him" on my headstone being somewhat tacky also came to mind...
Anyway, Ive been thinking quite a bit on the subject and starting to do some serious research in such things as AIS/DSC Personal Locators like this one which seems to make a lot of sense in that it gives the person left behind a proactive means of finding you in the event shit happens.
Listening to Hunter and the Bear
So it goes...
The X One Design was designed by Alfred Westmacott, who was Managing Director of Woodnutts Boatyard at St Helens on the Isle of Wight. He specialised in building small day racing boats and these included the Seaview Mermaid, Solent Sunbeam and Victory.
Although the XOD was designed by Alfred Westmacott in 1909, the first race did not take place until 1911 and so it has been decided to celebrate the 100th anniversary in 2011. 
