Another way?

Whilst I certainly agree with James Stevens’ answer in a Question of Seamanship (Calamity strikes and a lee shore looms, YM, July 2019) there is possibly one last straw to throw into the wind. The mast is still up and reasonably secured with the spinnaker halyard. When the forestay parts, the yacht’s position is downwind into the North Channel so it may be worth re-hoisting the main to a third reef as there will be less strain on the jury rigged forestay as sailing downwind.

It’s well known that the North Channel is a very much safer option entering the Solent in strong westerlies. Yes, they may have to stem the tide to get through Hurst but surely this is worth a shot?

You might also have mentioned that it wasn’t a great idea to sail to Poole in a WSW Force 5-6, occasionally gusting Force 7, and that the North Channel is always a good option for yachtsmen arriving at the Needles in rough weather, whether from the west or south. Ramsay Mason

James Stevens replies:

Thanks for your reply. Almost all Questions of Seamanship have more than one answer and hoisting a heavily reefed main is certainly an option. I think the skipper in the real incident was worried that the mast might not survive the reach just before entering the Solent, but if it didn’t the result would have been the same anyway.

And yes the passage plan with that forecast wasn’t a smart idea and hopefully the outcome makes that point.

Systematically ticking off those pre-sailing tasks is crucial to safety on board

The Solent, boringly familiar to some, but still full of challenges