Some boating gear and sailboat equipment you use almost daily, and other equipment you hope never to use. But if an emergency strikes, you'll need to have the right gear and to know what to do. Here's a Top 10 countdown of disasters you should be prepared for, just in case.
10. Your Anchor Won't Come Up
This will certainly ruin your day and could cost you hundreds of dollars if you're forced to cut the anchor loose or pay a diver to free it. But setting a trip line in advance or having an installed device like the AnchorRescue can get you back underway in minutes.
9. You Drop Your iPhone Overboard
Well, that's an expensive screw-up! About the only thing you can do is try to prevent this disaster with a waterproof case and a lanyard, such as the Magellan ToughCase.
8. Your Prop Catches a Line and Your Engine Stalls
This is another nasty situation that might be just a nuisance or could become an emergency when you lose power and steerage in a tight space. Be sure you know what steps to take immediately. Having the right gear aboard, like a Hooknife, also helps.
7. You Start Feeling Seasick
Again, this could just be a nuisance - or a dangerous problem when you need to stay alert and active. Prevention is best, depending on which seasickness product works best for you.
6. A Hurricane Is Coming Your Way
With modern forecasts you're unlikely to be caught on board, but you need the right equipment, like chafing gear, to help you protect the boat.
5. The Boat Is Buffeted by a Terrible Storm
There's always the risk of capsize or dismasting, but with good seamanship skills you can likely avoid both. Most fatalities result from falling overboard. To prevent falling overboard, have and use the right safety equipment, including a harness and tether and having jacklines in place before the storm hits.
4. Someone on Board Falls Overboard
With the right gear (see #5) no one should fall overboard, but all too often it happens anyway. Unless you use a boom preventer, for example, in an accidental gybe someone can be knocked overboard by a swinging boom. Be prepared in advance by knowing what to do and having the right equipment on board to retrieve the person.
3. You Fall Overboard
It happens to a lot of sailors sailing alone - and to sailors with others onboard who don't know how to turn the boat around to retrieve you. In such a case you'll want to be wearing an inflatable PFD, which has much more buoyancy than a standard lifejacket and increases your odds for staying alive long enough to be rescued.
2. The Boat Is Sinking
It can't get much worse than this. While sinking may result from various causes, the most common is taking on water because of a breach in the hull or a hull fitting. Again, being prepared is the best solution, along with having the right equipment to stop the leak ASAP - like a TruPlug.
1. You Have to Abandon Ship
Finally, #1 in my book, is having to abandon ship to enter the water or a liferaft or dinghy. At this point it's too late to prevent or end the emergency, and you can only hope for rescue. But again, having the right equipment at the ready gives you the best odds. Let's hope you have a working EPIRB and a few other essentials in your abandon-ship bag.
So ends this countdown of disasters! Although all these emergencies can occur at almost any time, fortunately they are mostly rare. Still, denial is not a good coping strategy, and having the right gear on board will likely make all the difference if an emergency does occur. It's worthwhile equipping your boat right just for the peace of mind.
Still, having the right equipment aboard can't prevent accidents from occurring. In reality, most sailing accidents and fatalities occur when it's calm and you you're not worried about a problem. Learn how to adopt a safety attitude that may save your life.
