S2E122 9 Safety Essentials for the Offshore Sailor and the Right Attitude for Long Distance Voyaging
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- Опубліковано 6 вер 2024
- #Waverover #Forgeyourownadventure
In this video, I show you my 9 top pieces of Safety kit. I also describe the attitude of successful long distance solo sailors. If you haven't done so already, please check out and subscribe to my other UA-cam channel Rover's Rest: • S3E2 Keeping the Fridg...
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Thank you and fair winds
It seems a very valid list of items. Please consider adding a corkscrew and a bottle of Chateauneuf du pape. It will not save your life but it will soften the time in case you would have to wait for help 😇
As it turns out my good friend Stephen, who was in many of the build videos had gifted me a bottle of Chateau Neuf de Pape last year for my birthday. I'm no expert but that was the best wine that I had tasted!
Excellent as always Allan! Question: how much actual chart work do you find yourself doing (vs navionics)
I'm not a drinker anymore, but I think a supply of whiskey (or your liquor of choice) would be a better option to keep aboard. More bang for the buck/ space.
Great concise information. Thank you. Btw what paint did you use for the interior?
I used Totalboat top coat@@Ramenscooter
Always remove the batteries from your power tools before storing them. Keeps them from running the battery down if they shift and press the switch/trigger.
Dewalt part number DCB119 20V/12V MAX Lithium-Ion Vehicle Battery Charger Runs from 12 volts and charges both 12 volt and 20 volt lithium batteries. Should help with not needing to run a inverter on the boat.
Alan, there is a point I'd also like to make on your Wave Rover II. She's built to take a bad wave. Her over cabin structure and strength would take a breaking wave...over engineered...wonderful to see.
I do feel very safe in her. In addition to what you said, her length to curve ratio adds to her strength.
Thank you
Excellent advice! Thank you for sharing from your hard-earned experience and knowledge. This video is gold for anyone considering long distance sailing.
Hey Allan, I’m begging you to get a life raft. Certainly, it is the last resort and you want to stay on the boat as long as it is afloat. But there are situations in sea when there is no other choice. Say it is in the middle of the night, rough seas, the boat is taking water so quickly. You need to have a way out. I understand it’s about 3k, probably even more these days. But please please have it on Wave Rover. You should be able to resell it once you are done with your passage for approximately the same money you have spent on it.
You make a good point but it is too big an outlay. I am carrying a floater suit.
Great list, and I respect the emphasis about attitude and self care (sleep, mental health and fortitude, flexibility, balance, fortitude, strength, knowledge...) 👍
For what its worth, many of the handheld power tool manufacturers make chargers designed for use in a vehicle and run off of 12 VDC. They are limited a little on wattage, but if charging power tools is the only thing driving a decision about whether to have an inverter or not, it is an option worth considering. (Personally I still keep a small portable inverter aboard, but I rarely use it.)
Good point. I use the inverter for the computer and power tools.
I used to be in the Swedish SAR Society and we have a VHF tracker on most covered vessels and it can mark the heading to a communicating VHF for example a hand held VHF in the water talking to us. I guess most SAR organisations around the world have these. On the subject of things to bring when you don't have a life raft, a quite large piece of sail cloth with ropes in the corners to be pulled under the hull to stop a leaking hole from the outside using the water pressure to seal the hole. This can actually block quite a large hole if tied up properly.
Absolutely on the large piece of sailcloth
1) Single men life raft like the one used by jet pilot fit under the ejection seat is good.
2) Chocolate bar
3) plastic cone for drinking water
4) fishing line
5) frist aid ki
A good comprehensive list of mostly emergency safety items. I said this before, I've wondered why you were so careful in the workshop with every bit of safety gear imaginable but on the very open deck of your boat, I've never seen a life jacket/harness or tether being used.
I use a safety harness and tether at sea when I go forward
I totally agree with your statement on being confident with your strength and balance which to me would be particularly important on your boat because of the poor protection when you are up on the cabin roof or forward of the mast. I know that you do your best to avoid putting yourself in these vulnerable situations but there must be times when you have to go forward. Going back to the strength/balance situation I myself have stopped sailing in small boats particularly single handed because at the age of 80 I’m aware of my limitations. I’m certainly no Francis Chichester who was much younger than me when he completed his famous voyage but seemed very old at the time !
Good point
I can’t remember which one it was, but the correct mindset/attitude is my favorite. Your last video you mentioned the seas were “spirited“. It seas like that. That’s a great description for the seas instead of rough or terrible!
Thanks
Tell a little more on when to use. Do you keep your SOS Walkie Talkie latched to you when your on deck. What is the protocol?
#1 is the most important indeed...unfortunately many that venture off skip this item. They tend to be very good with opening the wallet in hopes of compensation for the far more difficult first two on the list...
A young friend once said to me that I sure had much experience at sea....I reminded him that all that meant was that I got away with alot.
Good video Alan as Always.
" Beyond All Things Is The Sea "
Seneca
Very true!
@@RoversAdventure catch up this weekend?
A life spent taking even calculated risks is a life spent taking beans out of your luck jar, and placing them in your experience jar.
Here's to hoping that I was given a large jar.@@tonybarnes3858
Great advice there Alan, especially regarding balance and mental health. Out on the ocean you're on you own so you need to know what to do and be able to do in a challenging situation.
This was a great video Alan! Thanks for making it!
There was couple of things that came in mind.
First is this kind of gooy thick paste that is sold in small bucket-like containers that are very quick to squish in smallish hole in the boat. Let’s say around 10cm in diameter max. It shuts the leak initially and very fast so that you can make better repair easier.
Second thing is markup smoke. That could be very useful on big seas and small boat.
And finally, i think it was Yachting Monthly that did a test how you can reduce even quite big leak from the outside with a sail. So I think it would be a great to have a largish piece of prepared sail (or similar thick) canvas with rings on the corners to be able to fiddle it around the hull to the outside.
Cheers and safe travels!
:Panu
Good points all. I was planning on the quick setting epoxy that is great for repairing small holes underwater. I do carry extra sail cloth, great comment about the grommets in the corners. I could press my lee-cloth into service in this respect but a dedicated cloth would be better.
VERY useful, thanks! Hi Alan, don't know if this will reach you, but those clever YT people have done away with my ability to comment. Just letting you know, and I do have other means to reach you!
Glad it was helpful!
👍
A great presentation!
Thank you! Cheers!
Excellent video This information is invaluable
An excellent, informative video, Alan. But I'm a little surprised you don't carry a liferaft. Whilst I understand your desire to stay with Wave Rover II as long as the situation permits - and to do everything possible to keep her afloat - I don't understand why that precludes keeping a liferaft aboard just in case. Is it a space issue? But I'd have thought that you'd have room somewhere onboard for a compact liferaft (like Ocean Safety's Aero Compact two-man liferaft). Surely more options are better wherever possible?
You are absolutely right. If money were no object I would carry the very best 2 man raft. However, I feel like I have all reasonable circumstances covered with the gear I have.
Alan. Another great vid. But, I'm confused. During your passage to the Azores you used a marine radio which publicly displayed your boat's name and location, I believe its called MMSI, with a DSC feature. But, I think you have a standard VHF radio this time around. Can you explain please?
This time I have an updated version of the same VHF but I also have a Vesper active AIS
Another great video answering the many questions! Love the float suit ! Actually with all your tools at hand, you could set up shop anywhere in the World. Would you consider doing a video on your emergency “pharmacy” and first aid kit?
Happy belated birthday to Mrs Rover; your number 1 Fan :)
Always so impressed with your work and productions. Thank you!
The emergency pharmacy is just a simple first aid kit. You have reminded me to step that up a bit.
Do you keep manual screwdrivers. Remember any power tool can fail.
Of course. I have doubles of all common drives.
Excellent video … thanks! PS: The Red Green in me is wondering where you stow the Duct Tape! I was on a canoe camping trip once in the Boundary Waters Wilderness Canoe Area of northern Minnesota when one of the brackets securing the portage yoke failed. Duct tape to the rescue. That was one stout repair … probably stronger than the bracket! ⛵️🛶🇨🇦😄
Of course Duct tape has place onboard!
Hi, does Wave Rover have sealed compartments to give her positive bouyancy? I'd personally prefer to keep the big boat floating than have a liferaft, although viewing the liferaft as a ocean tent that can be deployed to create a warm dry(ish) space... if you are swamped but still floating it's hypothermia that will get you!
Great show today
1974 SOLAS Convention, Master Class Mr. Mulholand 💯
Very kind of you my friend.
Wow so many safety items - you are so smart and so ready for this !! What a great informative video - thank you!!
Thanks for watching Linda!
Awesome presentation Alan. Everything you have there Osyssey (C&C 30) has. I also carry four 10lb fire extinguishers in case of fire...need it out! Also wire /cable cutters (3 ft long) to cut away the rig stays if it comes down, lest it hole the boat. I took that piece of advice from a guy it happened to and it took him a long time to get the mast away from the boat in a storm. The banging terrified him and he spent a long time on deck cutting it loose.
Great video....waiting in the wings for the next one. Next time to are home get ahold of me...I'm sure I can come up with a survival suit with feet and mittens and hood....offshore.
You emphasises on health and strength are often overlooked...big bonus points on that because one of the major truths is "the boat will take a lot more than us and will only fail after we fail" You touched on a major human fail point. Bravo!!
Wave Rover has an unstayed mast and a junk rig, so no metal wires to cut.
Great video Alan. Couple of weeks ago i asked about your AIS. I found the Icom m94d AIS, DSC, VHF handheld radio. Has a lot of the features you mentioned in your video in a handheld. Might be something your viewers could use if they have a smaller boat. Also have the Garmin Inreach and is great for when I'm out of cell range.
Thanks for the info!
This is the most informative video on solo sailing. Thank you!
I noticed that I do have many of the items you carry. Since until now I have been sailing near shore (often racing), I don't have the EPIRG and satellite radios - yet.Those are on my list. I agree on your collection of tools and applaud you on your choice of battery powered tools - I just happen to have the same brand . It is important that the power tools use the same battery system to ensure interchangeability. Having done field service for several decades, I chose tools and spare parts much as you have done.
Anyway, this video is a reason that I prefer this channel over others.
Thank you so much. I also forgot to mention that all the screws are Robertson head so that one size bit fits all.
@@RoversAdventure - Many of us "south of the border" (except electricians) don't know much about Robinson Head, a Canadian invention ignored by Henry Ford.
That choice does simplify the number of tools needed. It also works very well if not better than slotted, Phillips, or Frearson.
I would add an inflatable scuba safety sausage, it takes very little space. Spotting a man overboard (or a diver for that matter) in rough sea can be desperate.
I might add lanyards to things that may be used on Deck
Absolutely.
I ordered the flashlight.
I don't receive any compensation from the company but I'm happy with the product.
Excellent advise
Great video.
Thanks you.
Great video as always Allen!! Have you considered a PLB attached to your life preserver? You won’t be able to get to the EPIRB if you fall in and the boat is sailing away without you.
That would be a great addition.
Very informative, Alan. You're presentation could readily be incorporated into a Canadian Power and Sail Squadrons course.
You are very kind my friend.
In the process of leaving a comment, I altered the sentence and realized I hadn't changed "you're" to "your". My bad! @@RoversAdventure
Excellent as always Allan. Question: how much actual chart plotting are you doing (vs navionics)
At sea I plot a noon fix on the ocean chart and record it in the log.
After experience, knowledge and fitness, I'd put planning and information, because with that come the decision that puts you in harm's way--or not. Might even have put good clothes and water before some of the technology, providing you have navigation capability. Redundant communications/navigation become more important the more remote and committed you are.
Well said Tony
Ha ha! Thanks Alan. As we used to say guiding big rocks and mountains: Know thyself, know thy stuff, and when it gets hard, you'd better be too.@@RoversAdventure
I would prefer the epirb mounted externally in a float free box if it was me,
What drive type do you use on wood screws mate ? Multi tool a superb item but keeping all of them dry will be a challenge. Buy boxes with seals and some silica crystals stuff (those little bags that always, for some odd reason, say "do not eat" on them.... )
Robertson head (same size drive). So far the lockers have been dry but a very fair point indeed.
@@RoversAdventure Those (or torx) are essential ❤️
Thanks Alan for that overview, great to know.
I remember that you planned to make Wave Rover with high levels of buoyancy, I think the original plan was bulkheads filled with empty plastic bottles. Did you need that in the final design? I agree that the best life raft is Wave Rover itself and keeping it afloat and strong even if damaged is the way to go.
I didn't fill the bow and quarter spaces with bottles as I wanted to keep them open to inspection. They can be sealed at sea however.
Great strategy and thinking , Happy sailing , from Michigan
Add some Flex Tape it can be applied underwater, really sticks and is durable
I'll have to check that out.
I think there are also putties that can be applied underwater. Very useful addition.
@@gtw12345 Tec7. Wonderful stuff that bonds and seals even under water.
Thanks interesting video. By any chance do you have a emergency space blanket onboard?
Not yet! Good suggestion.
I don't know, but the word safety is not the same thing as emergency. To me the word safety is the day to day habits that keep the word emergency from happening. The idea that a sailor (or any boater) does things in a hap hazard way cause they have this emergency net is not acceptable. SO I was surprised when you started talking about emergency tools (I was going to say "toys") in a video about "safety essentials". Once I got past the word itself, the video is good.
I’m looking forward to your video on the difference between safety equipment and emergency equipment.
A word about dropping the flashlight: don't. I had a similar type (different brand) that quit working after being dropped a few times. The "case" looked fine, but the electronics stopped functioning properly, which I can only attribute to the shock of impact on a hard surface.
Good video, Alan. Do you take any special steps to (help) keep your tools from corroding, such as wiping them down with light oil or spraying with corrosion inhibitor?
Good point on the flashlight. I wipe the tools in light oil with a rag when I remember. Thanks for reminding me.
What about something to make drinking water? Fishing gear?
Watermakers are big, expensive and require lots of power. There are some unpowered ones, but they don't produce a lot of water. If it were me, I'd rather bring something rather than nothing though.
no storm Drogue? Seabrake works well and is simple and packs down small
I carry a series drogue
Could you tell me what watch you’re wearing? Noticed it in your video and looks nice.
It is just a "Wind River " watch from Marks work wearhouse. It cost about $25 USD. Sadly the strap on my old watch wore out.
Thank you
Have you also done a safety test?
Not exactly. What do you have in mind?
Also for US registered vessels, flying the US flag upside down is a distress signal.
Just don't do it with the Phillipines flag, it signals war.
What is the brand of your headlight
Hallo sir You Dont have liferafts.? Thank from Spain
No
The number of empty boats found floating with the life raft gone and where the life raft and it's occupants are never found is is rather high. If you watch the build you will find that even a large hole will not sink this ship.... better to stay with something easier to find. He does answer this in the video.
Sorry i can not understad every he salid , i can write but dificult for me listening ( i am Spanish) thnka sany Way
Having these things almost means that you'll never need them and that's kinda the point.
lol, when you buy a generator you never suffer a power outage.
shark repellant, razor sharp knife, what are your defense's against sea pirates'?
I think the number one defense against pirates is route planning. No looking worth while to rob also helps, although, to a starving fisherman in some countries, everything looks better than what they have. Firearms are a legal pain and will make you into a "pirate" in the eyes of most law enforcement people, so not worth it. As a Canadian, even calling something a "weapon" can be troublesome. Once again, number one tool is the brain for these situations.
Very well said my fellow Canadian.
I would carry plumbers putty. What is your opinion ?
I think that the butyl tape has similar properties
Most people that dies at sea is men over 60😢
I will be turning 60 in April. More than ever I think of 60 as a number. A fit man of 60 can out perform a much younger man who is not in top physical condition
Am radio was a lot better then vhf
You are right. I carry a Short wave receiver that can pick up am/fm
Madel Man...
And if all that doesn't work, grab your ankles and kiss your ___ goodby. Lets hope it never gets to the first device.
Bible or Quran if you are Muslim
Yes great point and WR does carry a Bible.
You need an emergency raft that’s it.