Personal safety at sea

for single-handed and short handed-crews

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Safety at sea is improved by 3 factors: attitude, equipment and training.

The proper attitude is to be aware of your own safety anywhere and at any moment.

Risks are not reserved to high latitudes. Rough conditions may happen anywhere, anytime. People die in summer days due to lack of awareness.

Safety equipment is an investment that gives you peace of mind. This is priceless

The training to use safety equipment makes the difference. Training gives you the seconds or minutes that save your life in case of emergency.

Here are some rules that may improve your safety.

Using these rules, we sailed quietly and went far. See Matxitxako Horn.

1) Sail safely. Don't sail over your limit and/or the boat's limit.

Conditions are rough, you are very tired? Reef, sail slowly, or heave-to.

Don't sail exhausted. Get some sleep ASAP. If necessary heave-to.

2) Avoid falling whether outside or inside the cabin.

Place additional handles wherever they are needed.

In our boat, we also use a omni-anchoring belt that can be secured almost anywhere.

3) On deck, tie yourself whenever 1) you are alone, 2) at night, 3) in heavy weather.

As the weather becomes rougher, tie also yourself in the cockpit.

Use tether + harness or inflatable life jacket. In lighter conditions, you may use only a belt to secure yourself.

4) During displacements in rough conditions; 1) grasp something at any time, 2) tie yourself short, 3) untie yourself only in safe spots.

Sailors say "one hand for you, one for the boat".

The cockpit is a safe spot, as well as the mast (e.g. placing holding straps).

5) Safe paths to go anywhere on board

A safe path is a combination of grasping points (handles, handrails) and deck life lines.

Deck lifelines must be secured to strong points (resistance > 1 t.) and run as far as possible from the edge of the deck.

In our boat, grasping points and lifelines are covered with reflective material. We see clearly the safe paths at night.

Videos

Here are examples of safe work on deck, single handed and short handed, during Matxitxako Horn cruising.

In all videos, the crew mate uses self-rescue harness loop. There are 3 deck lines, one on each side of the cockpit and one running from the mast to the bow. The mast is a safe spot (see holding straps).

Sailing south single handed, front of Strait of Magellan, wind force 7-8, reefed genoa + 2 reefs in main sail.

Antarctica, closing to Melchior Island, single handed. Fog, engine quiet sea but water is very cold

Drake Passage, sailing north single handed, stay sail, 4 reefs in main sail, wind Force 6-7 increasing fast.

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