Quote:
Originally Posted by The Reaper
Doesn't matter how good you are.
You have to sleep sometime, and then who is on watch?
TR
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Cruising boats routinely go into 'watches' when passagemaking.
Our standard was 6pm to midnight, 12 to 6am. Then from 6am to 6pm 3 hrs on and 3 hrs off. I always took the midnight shift as I am a nightowl. We did not deviate from out hours on and off. Someone was always at the helm, even when OTTO was running the boat. Otto = autopilot.
The sailing email lists are all atwitter over this incident. We are a pretty judgemental lot. Not a whole lot of sympathy in this particular case as the couple. Apparently though long time cruisers, they ignored the advice they were given by NATO advisors. OH well, the sea is a harsh lady., she doesn't suffer fools and idiots long. The lucky ones survive and become dirt dwellers, the rest.... shrug...
Re Jessica: I reared my kids on boats. They could swim before they could walk.
My dtrs first 'car' had a Mercury 150hp attached to the stern. Kids there get boats before wheels. That does not mean I would have allowed her to attempt the stuff that Robin Graham and a few other youngsters have done. The only case I have approved was the dad who singlehanded with his son on another boat while the kid did a transatlantic crossing.
By her first mistake that cost her a mast, Jessica has proven she is not ready to do this trip, if she is ever. At least a pink boat won't be hard for the Coasties to find.
I do not believe that teenagers have the experience or judgement to handle offshore situations they find themselves in by themselves. OTOH, there are some adults that never should be allowed to leave the dock. YMMV
AM