Tips for a Safe Passage

• Take the time to prepare your boat well. Work with your safety inspector on this. • Plan your passage in advance, don’t do it on the fly. Have a back-up route and destination in case of emergency. • Make regular radio skeds and advise someone of your plans, destination and ETA. • Prepare your crew. Practice sail work, explain the boat’s systems, talk about safety procedures and gear. • Check if your crew is on any medication. If they get seasick they won’t be able to hold down their medication. • If any of your crew is the least susceptible to sea-sickness, have him/her start taking something for it BEFORE you set sail. • Have a grab bag handy at the foot of the companionway in case of emergency. • Set up a watch system. Whether it’s two, three or more crew, set up a watch system so everyone knows what’s expected. • Always keep a good lookout. • Set up a schedule for chores and make sure everyone has their fair share. • Leaving all the cooking and cleaning to the ladies is a sure way to create grumpiness. • Pre-cook some passage meals BEFORE you leave. One-pot meals are best and where possible pre-freeze them ashore. • Make a box full of sandwiches to have available for the crew whenever they are hungry. • Have lots of high energy snacks on hand – a well-fed, rested crew is a happy crew. • Reef down early. It’s easier and safer. It’s a good idea to reef down before dusk if the forecast is even a bit uncertain. • Have a daily check around the boat for chafe and things that can come undone, like shackles. • Keep the skipper happy. He/she takes ALL the responsibility and a tired skipper is more likely to make mistakes. • To the skipper – you are the boss but remember what happened to Captain Bligh.