LESSONS LEARNED

INSPECT THE RIG DAILY

Stainless steel can break or destrand suddenly and without warning. I still keep forgetting to inspect the rig daily, if only through binoculars when at sea.

MAKE REPAIRS EARLY

Don’t procrastinate. We should have dealt with the fault as soon as possible.

DON’T RESIST DELEGATION

It is important for skippers to delegate and trust their crews. Dood was much more adept at boat repairs and maintenance than me.

INSTINCT IS EVERYTHING

Trust your own instincts, or in my case, as a man of faith, your guidance. Ostensibly, the Chilean Naval rescue vessel would have been a safer option but my instinct was to sail back.

BE BOLD

Be prepared to embrace and manage risk. Risk is important for our society and for our character and wellbeing.

THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX

We had to think outside the box and invent solutions to our problems, like putting the No 1 jib on its side.

7 DISASTER CAN MEAN TRIUMPH

Disaster can often lead to triumph, or at least have positive results. The juryrigged passage back to the Falklands, for example, was a great adventure.