If you didn’t think about it 10 minutes ago, you waited too long.<\/p>\n
Actually, certain things you should think about before you leave the slip.\u00a0 Tradewinds procedures regarding checking fuel levels and rigging\u00a0the main\u00a0halyard before leaving\u00a0are\u00a0perfect examples.<\/p>\n
Here’s another for you.\u00a0 Is the anchor ready to deploy if needed.\u00a0 Too often, I see someone\u00a0look up at the bow from the cockpit then look at the stern pulpit, and announce to someone down below\u00a0something like “Primary and secondary anchors, check.”\u00a0 Instead, look at the anchor and ground tackle.\u00a0 How is the anchor secured in the bow roller?\u00a0 How is it deployed?\u00a0 Test the windlass if it has one.\u00a0 Does it have a control unit that is stowed somewhere (find it).\u00a0 Where is the switch to turn the windlass on (usually on the DC panel, but not always)?\u00a0 Where is the breaker (generally not on the DC panel) and has it been tripped?<\/p>\n
I was on a boat recently (not a Tradewinds boat) where the owner had secured the anchor using a shackle through the anchor shackle.\u00a0 He didn’t want it to accidently deploy.\u00a0 The problem was that he had not used the anchor in years, and over time the shackle had rusted closed.\u00a0 It took penetrating oil and\u00a0two pairs of vise grips to get it undone.\u00a0 Definitely not available for an emergency.<\/p>\n
Have you every actually tried setting up the emergency tiller?\u00a0 Did you know that many of them require a special “key” to open the emergency tiller port?\u00a0 If so, where is that key stowed?<\/p>\n
I’m a firm believer that if I’m ready for an emergency, it won’t happen.\u00a0 Plan for those emergencies before you leave the slip!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
If you didn’t think about it 10 minutes ago, you waited too long. Actually, certain things you should think about before you leave the slip.\u00a0 Tradewinds procedures regarding checking fuel levels and rigging\u00a0the main\u00a0halyard before leaving\u00a0are\u00a0perfect examples. Here’s another for … Continue reading