On 2/18 I attended a presentation on the book "Overboard!" by Michael Tougias.  The presentation was by the author and Loch Reidy who survived more than 24 hours in the water after being washed overboard during a passage to Bermuda in May 2005.   At the time, I had remarked on my facebook page that there were several things that had run through my mind that they had done wrong.  I take that back, the thing done wrong has its source in one main issue - rushing to leave in order to keep to a schedule.  The need to keep to that schedule led to the captain discounting the potential risk of a low developing into a major storm on the voyage.  It also lead to leaving the black out panels off of the forward windshields in the rush to get underway, one of which smashed and was the source of water in the main cabin that kept filling the boat.  There were many more things that were done right and I really cannot put fault or have any real blame on anyone.  Loch's perseverance in particular is awe inspiring.  How the Coast Guard, Navy and AMVER vessels contributed to Loch's rescue and that of the remaining 3 crew members who were left on the boat is riveting. 

We have all at least felt the temptation to leave because people are waiting for us at a certain place on a certain date.  The main lesson to take away from this is that the decision on when to leave and when to stay in port is the most critical decision you can make for the safety of your boat and crew.  We saw that with the story of "Triple Stars" a year and a half ago.  There are other lessons in the book that we could all benefit from - such as how the wind wants to rip a life raft away from a boat once its deployed.

The book is very well written and a quick read.  I highly recommend it!

http://www.msc.navy.mil/sealift/2005/june/seay.htm

There is a complete list of lessons learned assembled by the author that can be found at this site:

http://www.soundingsonline.com/news/home-waters/101-new-england/253002-almeisans-lessons

Spring is here and the blood is flowing again!  I was at the boat on Monday to start the Spring commissioning.  It looks like a mid-April Launch, although there's a lot to do over the next month.  The past 2.5 months have been consumed with Coast Guard Auxiliary and house chores, although the later seems to never end.  Barb does like the fact that I have pretty much taken over the grocery shopping and am cooking most of the dinners now (Cooking Channel @ 12:30 - French Food at Home with Laura Calder - Highly recommended).

This year's boat list includes applying a new Vinyl Name (the painted on one is 12 years old and is wearing off); repainting the bottom; re-doing most of the teak; applying Poly Glow to the Hull and verifying that the engine problems from last year have been solved.  On the watch list are the batteries, they have not been giving me any problems but they are 10 years old and I am considering changing them out to avoid an issue.

The plans for the year include the Corinthian Spring Cruise in May in the Chesapeake and a trip north to at least Long Island Sound, although I really did have a good time last year in Maine and there is a strong draw to do it again.

The posts will be more active now that the boating season is upon us.  I will even try to convert some of the recipes to boat friendly versions.  For example: Roasted Veggies in Vacuum Sealed pouches and frozen work wonderfully.  Poke a hole in the top and put them in the microwave to reheat.  Veggies that work well include Beets; Baby Carrots; Green Beans; Asparagus; Yams; Red Onions; Leeks; Potatoes.  Roast them separately at 325 and then place them in pouches - I like to mix the up into various combinations.  Bon Appetit!