Safety Tips
We're indebted to Jimmy Medeiros for the following advice to cruisers going offshore or on long passages:
As small boat sailors many of us do not get many chances to “stretch our legs” and venture farther from home (and support), than the usual weekend or week long cruise.
With this in mind, we must be especially mindful of those things that can go wrong. Try to think in terms of the “5-P's”: Prior planning prevents poor performance.
Get your boat ready:
Check/replace questionable running rigging, light bulbs, pumps, etc.
For sailboats, very often a two week trip to StateplaceMaine will require 50 or more hours of motoring. Therefore, change your lube oil and filter before you go! Change your fuel filters before you go! Eliminate fuel or water leaks on the engine before you go! Replace any worn belts before you go! Check/replace old or cracked hoses (fuel, water intake, fresh water cooling, and the head).
Bring spare filters, light bulbs, belts and the tools to work with them. Top off your fuel tank(s) and maybe bring a jerry jug or two. Clean your raw water intake strainer.
For the prudent sailor, the list can go on.
Coast Guard safety requirements:
Make sure you are up to date with flares, gas for your fog horn, life preservers and all related safety gear. Have several good quality flashlights onboard.
Anchoring:
Even if you do not plan to anchor, bring at least 2 anchors, preferably of different designs, and at least two rodes. Have one ready to deploy at a moment's notice.
Navigation:
Have current paper charts onboard for every place you plan to go.
Bring a back-up (hand held) GPS and spare batteries for it.
Re-introduce yourself to your radar before you go, if you have one.
Keep a dead-reckoning log if you plan to go offshore or do any longer legs.
Have a spare VHF radio (or hand held VHF). A roll up emergency antenna is also a good idea. Always monitor channel 16 when under way.
For personal comfort and safety:
Do not forget sunscreen and bug spray and have a good up to date first aid kit onboard. Bring warm clothes, even gloves and a ski hat. Foul weather gear including boots is a must.
If you bring new and inexperienced crew make sure they know how to operate the head. A broken head or flooded boat are born of innocent mistakes, but can turn your trip into a nightmare.
Some last thoughts:
Listen to the weather at least twice a day.
When traveling after dark, always wear your lifejacket, clip in, and have a flashlight as well as a whistle in your pocket. If the weather turns rotten when you are safely moored somewhere, don't let the next scheduled stop, regardless of cocktail parties, dinners, or reserved moorings get in the way of prudent seamanship. You know what you and your boat are capable of. If you have second thoughts, stay put!
If you have questions, feel free to call Tom or me, or anyone else who has been to Maine on our cruises in the past.
Regards,
Jim Medeiros