Rather, I'm talking about inter-family angst. Sailing should be peaceful.
__________________
The yelling and screaming, on the other hand, requires crew and poor communication. Something goes wrong and there's blame to be shifted. In extreme cases, marriages are strained; silly to stew over a moment's frustration, but that's the way it is.
My family's moved past this; even when the bottom is uncooperative or the space is tight, we keep it quiet.
- We have a plan. While on the approach, we talk about where we are going to put the boat, the approach, and who's doing what.
- Signals. Over the wind and engines little can be heard without yelling, and yelling always sounds like anger or panic, even when it is neither. Better to signal, since the messages are simple.
When first backing down, as the rode is laid out, I usually give a simple verbal instruction; astern at idle for 2-3 seconds only. Just enough to get the boat coasting backwards. After that I will use hand signals to direct power setting, if it is to be dune immediately; often in soft mud I will wait a few minutes to an hour before pulling hard.
What's your plan?
PS. It's worth telling all aboard that a loud voice does not equate to anger or panic, only a need to be heard over the wind and engine.
Very nice signals. We don't have a system yet, and I think I just found one! Do you have a higher resolution jpg of your signals? I'd like to print out a few copies. I don't have a marriage to break -- which means I have to work harder to keep my first mate happy!
ReplyDeleteThanks,
Harry
Sorry, that's the best image I have. I swiped an image from the net and added my own text. Google crane + signals and see what you can find.
ReplyDeleteEven more important is discussing the plan before anchoring or docking, going slow, abandoning an approach if it is not working, and not sweating a little dock rash. Value a relationship over a shiny boat, every day.