Page 55 - CHIRP annual digest 2016.pdf
P. 55
Annual Digest 2016
The leisure and yachting markets are expanding rapidly throughout the world so more people than ever are
discovering the delights of going out on the water. We are grateful that a number of them have submitted reports
to CHIRP, and hope even more of their colleagues will contribute in future.
This year we learned about the danger of forgetting to wear a lifejacket, especially in a small boat, and also
encountered a crew member who thought he was Tarzan of the Apes as he cleared a fouled anchor. There is often
a fine line between a desire to solve a problem and crass stupidity, and ‘Tarzan’ probably crossed that line. As a
first-trip cadet I was told “one hand for the ship and one hand for yourself”, and it is still good advice.
A ship dawdling off the pilot station caused problems for one yacht, while a single-handed sailor caused problems
for himself by failing to see an approaching vessel. In my opinion, CHIRP has been rather gentle in its admonition
that “caution should be exercised when sailing single-handed”. I have seen professional mariners sent to prison
for failure to keep a proper lookout, so it always disappoints me that single-handed sailing is even permitted,
but what do you think?
We conclude this section with another Advisory Board Insight article, this time about eyesight.
Photograph courtesy of www.gibraltar-shipping.com
54
