{"id":1839,"date":"2018-04-02T17:24:22","date_gmt":"2018-04-03T00:24:22","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/tradewindssailing.com\/wordpress\/?p=1839"},"modified":"2020-02-13T20:05:35","modified_gmt":"2020-02-14T04:05:35","slug":"before-leaving-the-dock-advancement-to-basics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tradewindssailing.com\/wordpress\/general\/before-leaving-the-dock-advancement-to-basics\/","title":{"rendered":"Before Leaving the Dock: Advancement to Basics"},"content":{"rendered":"

Let me start off by speaking of a different kind of discipline than sailing, the martial arts.\u00a0 In many schools the way one advances is by demonstrating the basics, and it does not matter how high up one is.\u00a0 In karate it could be the basic movements and katas<\/em> or in tai chi it is the first movement that encompasses all movements.\u00a0 More than just martial arts, the basics are the foundation of whatever one does.\u00a0 If you are in finance, you cannot get away without knowing basic math and if you are a writer, then grammar is your basis.\u00a0 To take this even further, to be social in a positive way is to have basic manners, which gives one substance; such is called being civilized.\u00a0 Sailing is no different and, as a new teacher to sailing myself, I am writing about this so it is more engrained in my own mind.\u00a0 Though much of this might sound trite, it all carries over to the more advanced, and sadly, many of the advanced sailors seem to forget the basics.\u00a0 The smallest is often the largest.\u00a0 In sailing there is nothing functional that is trite and Tradewinds well keep us all vigilant to this.<\/p>\n

Without a doubt, stepping on and off a boat properly<\/u> is basic to all who are to be on that boat, just as there is a proper way to enter someone\u2019s house; one does not just walk in without ringing the bell or knocking.\u00a0 If one is to board any boat, permission needs to be asked.\u00a0 Of course, the skipper with whom you are sailing will say come on board, (hopefully) but maybe a hatch is open or something is slippery on deck; thus, the skipper might say just wait a little.\u00a0 The real reason for announcing yourself each time you get on or off the vessel by saying \u201cstepping aboard\u201d or \u201cstepping off\u201d is that the boat may rock and someone on board might be caught off-guard and get hurt. If you continue to have issues with the dock you can reach out to someone who works with dock equipment<\/a> to prevent you others from\u00a0 to help with your estature.<\/p>\n

If permission is given or when one is announcing to come aboard, one then holds the shroud, say on a Capri, puts one foot on the deck before the lifeline then the other foot, followed by then putting one foot at a time over the lifeline onto the deck, all while holding on.\u00a0 Very advanced sailors, forgetting the basics, stumble over lifelines often by doing it wrongly, and if there is a slip, one\u2019s head could crack against a winch.\u00a0 We can never forget the basics.\u00a0 It is analogous to the statistic that most people receive great injuries not so much at work but at home.\u00a0 In this context the boat is home, but we can never get too comfortable, even before departing from the dock.\u00a0 Also, if there is luggage of any sort, pass it to someone on board rather than doing a balancing act at the edge of a boat.<\/p>\n

Once on the boat, then watch for any lines and do not step on them<\/u>.\u00a0 Of course, this is a very good habit to have, especially when underway, but even in port, one may be attaching the halyard to the main sheet and the strained line under foot could make it difficult, if not trip someone.\u00a0 When underway this is utterly important and it is mandatory that all lines be coiled or secured that they are not on the deck.\u00a0 This may sound simple but such carelessness could cause great injury, if not flipping someone overboard.\u00a0 Also, lines can fall over and get tangled in a propeller, so do practice being vigilant.<\/p>\n

Once on the boat, it is always necessary to have one hand securing yourself to the boat<\/u>, and this is so even at the dock.\u00a0 Moving around a boat can be hazardous and maybe someone got on the boat without warning.\u00a0 Accidents do occur and most accidents are called accidents because they could have been prevented.\u00a0 In this life we always have to have one hand on earth, metaphorically speaking.\u00a0 I know many of us can see those who have lost their grip. On life.<\/p>\n

We are so used to engines that we do not pay attention to the machine that transports us.\u00a0 For example, how many of us actually put on the auto seat belt prior to starting the car, which is the way it should go?\u00a0 So, when starting an outboard engine on a boat, we all need to be aware of anyone standing to our back <\/u>and maybe in the way, by which we could hit them with our snapping arm.\u00a0 In any aspect of life, take note to those around us.\u00a0\u00a0 Also make sure the engine works prior to departing.\u00a0 A good idea is to start the engine well before getting the boat ready in that if the engine does not work, then you did not waste time getting the boat ready.\u00a0 Also, when starting an inboard engine, make sure you are in neutral and see if there might be any lines near the prop.<\/p>\n

When it comes to departure, prior to leaving the dock, all crew need to be on the boat and not jumping on after the lines have been released.<\/u> \u00a0A person rarely lets the child just jump out of the house but rather eases them out with a connecting line. Of course, this is also the case when it comes to docking as well, but docking is a separate subject that needs to be addressed by itself.\u00a0 Basically, wrap the line from the boat\u2019s cleat to the dock cleat and back again and release as the boat departs.\u00a0 I will say that Tradewinds, maybe more than most, has a strong focus on docking and will much give anyone who shows interest, methods to always dock well.\u00a0 I highly suggest taking one or more of the docking classes offered; they are invaluable.\u00a0 I believe most accidents happen during docking.\u00a0 As a member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary who works as crew, I often see bad docking as far as jumping on the boat when coming in or departing.\u00a0 I believe Tradewinds has trained me well, allowing me to notice many flaws.<\/p>\n

If any have read this far, you are probably good at docking in that you have patience, something needed for not just good docking but life itself.\u00a0 For me the basics for pre-departure are:<\/p>\n