Single Handing Safety Tips and Considerations

[Hunkydory]

I agree Jay. However, I find that "the innate ability to have a clear mind & not freeze when confronted with a rapidly changing situation..." is directly correlated with the number of times one has thought about the possible things that could go wrong and how they would respond. In some cases, that means I carry safety gear that others would feel is in excess. In other cases it means I'll do something that other might not do or that others might think is counter intuitive.

For example, if for some reason I manage to fall over, it's drilled into my head that the first thing I must do is get a few quick strokes in to get away from the boat (the props, the fishing gear, the downriggers etc). This is counter to what one might do if you haven't thought it through and drilled the correct response into you head. Of course this means that I would then have to count on others on the boat to return to me and that of course means that I have to train them on how to do that (preferably this training takes place while I'm not in the water). It also means that they need to know where the heaving line is and how to use it. It also means that they have to know where the boarding ladder is and how to deploy it. It also means that they might have to call the coast guard so they have to know how to use the VHF.

This one scenario, when thought through, implies a bunch of actions I have to take in advance in order to increase my odds of recovery. While this scenario, isn't applicable to single handing, the idea that one think through possible/reasonably high probability problems, and then figure out to either manage the risk or respond in advance applies to many potential situations. None of my disaster scenario thinking makes me less willing to use the boat. In fact it has the opposite effect (like you state) as it mentally allows me to fully enjoy the boat.

Roger, yes I agree there is a correlation with your well described scenario & how it branches out to many others too & how thinking different things through that could possibly happen can increase the chances of a clear mind having pre thought choices to execute thus helping the outcome of these situations. I do this too & it does bring on the ability to at times do it subconsciously, such as, driving defensibly on the highway, which as you stated can make the trip more enjoyable. My thought was more of a caution to those who don't know if they can remain clear headed to do some introspection & if not to just enjoy their boat with the knowledge of the actual risk involved. Perhaps it should have more directed to the correlation between pre thinking & doing.

The more one does things like those of you, heading far out off shore or Kushtaka & I & others going to very remote places or most any single handling where self reliance is paramount the more one should know about there own abilities & improve the ones they can, so to be better prepared for whatever may happen. I believe many will never know if they can be clear headed & do exactly what they need to do, even if thought through before, when faced with a life or death situation if they haven't experienced it, but lessor experiences can give a clue. Not boating, but still an example of such an experience is one of my mountain exploring walk-abouts high in the Rocky Mountains with no one knowing where I was & involving being on a cliff face alone in this wilderness with just enough drop below to not guarantee death but absolutely serious injury with 0% chance of making it climbing back down being as my only rope was a light one for pulling up behind me my 30 lb pack & very slim of continuing up with no chance without complete concentration on technique, while totally ignoring what easily could be dehabiltating fear. One, such as I, who have made it through several of these kind of experiences at least knows they have that ability within them. Those who don't or have failed in less dire situations, need to try their best to keep away from them or prepare more as you suggested for them. Overall, I feel for most the danger of boating in a C-Dory boat is very low compared to many other activities done routinely.

Kushtaka, do you go up the Copper River all the way to Chitina? Is it in your C-Dory or some other boat? Do you start from the open ocean or launch along the river from the road to Child's Glacier & the million dollar bridge. I have stood on the Copper River bank across from the Glacier & in the middle of the bridge & in any boat going up & down that river with the ice & fast silty glacier water deem it an exceptional undertaking & would like to read more about how you do it.

Jay

 

[Robert H. Wilkinson]

Are you doing the looping from the helm?

No, I was only a cowboy for a few years in my late teens - practiced my six gun draw but not my lasso work! :lol:

The main advantage to this is that its quicker to throw the looped end of a line over a cleat or post than it is to actually tie a line to it. Also any forward momentum is guaranteed to bring your boat to the dock. As well if you use a line of predetermined length it will position your boat where you want it along the dock.

It can be confusing though, if you secure a line from the stern cleat you must turn the helm to dock to bring the bow in. Using a spring line from a mid cleat you must turn the helm off dock to bring the bow in. Took me a bit of practise to get everything happening correctly!

Regards, Rob

 

[Lost Petrel]

OK, I see. I installed and used mid-ship cleats on all my sailboats, and find them very useful for singlehanded docking. I just have to get use to using the motor in conjunction with them.

Thanks, Tim

 

[Robert H. Wilkinson]

Tim, another thing that might help you is keeping a dock pole/hook handy on the side you are coming to. Getting to the dock and to the stern of your boat you can grab a cleat/post and hang on by hand while you use the pole to grab a point closer to your bow. This could be a cleat, post or even the dock line of a boat on the other side of a finger dock. Holding the pole tight will hold your bow in while you then secure the stern line to the cleat you are hanging on to. You can then drop the pole and step off with the bow line in hand.

My best advise - if you mess up - the first thing you should do is - LOOK TO SEE IF ANYBODY WAS WATCHING :lol:

 

[Lost Petrel]

Rob, I am already one up on that,

My best advise - if you mess up - the first thing you should do is - LOOK TO SEE IF ANYBODY WAS WATCHING Laughing

I would look BEFORE going in

And yes, a boat hook would be at the ready

 

[hardee]

For docking, and yes I believe it has to do with increased safety, I prep the boat prior to getting to the dock..... like maybe outside the marina. fenders midship and stern are over the side and ready. Bow fender is released from the cockpit and will usually lie on the combing/side deck until I rock it into the water on the dock approach. Docking lines: bow line is already tied on the bow cleat and runs along the side to the aft cabin hand-grip rail, and tied at the ready (a slip type knot that allows me to take the end of the line and carry it to the dock,) and then the stern line is already cleated, and laying in the gunnel box.

On arriving at the dock it is simple to touch revers for a second to take way off, or depending, step off the boat and onto the dock with both lines in hand, dropping the stern line over the cleat, snubbing it, and then walk forward to catch the forward dock cleat, with a quick snubbing wrap. When all is stopped and positioned properly, the final tie is done.

I have to agree with rogerbum. ABSOLUTLY I need to go over adverse situations in my head, with a pre-plan for IF something goes bad, what is the best way out.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

 

[Robert H. Wilkinson]

Tim, another thing is those poles that you attach a dock line to. You can reach out the pole and it releases the loop of your dock line over a cleat. I've never used one but according to the people selling them at the boat shows, they are the best thing ever!!

I think somebody may have started a thread about them here as well.
Anybody tried them??

Rob

 

[Foggy]

"Common sense" can mean many things, and is not all that useful a term. SNIP

Of course, "common sense" is relative*, but then, what isn't?

*Common sense to a beginner is much different than common sense to someone
with decades of experience.

Aye.

 

[Kushtaka]

So now this is a single hand docking thread? I guess it's sort of still on topic, and let's face it, if it's not, so what?

Before you single hand dock any boat for the first time you should do one thing first, and that is go into open water and operate the boat slowly in forward and reverse with the helm hard over. Note the pivot point of the boat. When operating in forward your pivot point will usually be just in front of your helm, and in reverse, it will be just behind the cabin. So you can't simply correct a forward movement by the exact opposite reverse control input.

Many people, both beginners and experienced boaters alike have an "ah-ha" moment when the difference in pivot point is shown to them, and their docking immediately improves.

There is also a widely held conventional belief that bow into the wind is the best way to do things for control, but your boat weathervanes to put your stern somewhat into the wind. If docking into the wind bow first isn't working, try backing in.

Finally, if you can't get into your slip, you can come up alongside the end of your dock (if neighboring boats don't stick out too far from the end of their slips), tie a spring line off to your cleat at the end of the dock (where you attach on your boat sort of depends) then power on that spring line into you slip. If it's really blowing, I'll leave my boat under power, get on the dock, and finish tying her up before I take power off.

Sorry if this is confusing. It would be easier to show you.

 

[RobLL]

Actually this is very helpful advice for those of us anticipating boating solo. As well some guests and/or spouses really don't want to get involved.

 

[Foggy]

In my Wellcraft High Performance Boot Camp course, we used multiple empty milk
jugs on an anchor tether in open water to simulate docking and do other slow
maneuvers, like turning in narrow channels, to get the feel of an unfamiliar boat at
idle speeds.

Keep in mind, it's usually only the first good "ding" in a new boat that bothers you.

Aye.

 

[AstoriaDave]

A very good discussion. Taking those pieces which apply to you, setting gear in place, and then running through some practice emergencies will give you a world of confidence.

However, settle on a location for each item and then don't move it willy nilly. When the deal goes down, you want to have an almost reflexive reaction reaching for items like the fire extinguishers, boat hook, anchor setup, PFD, knife, panic button on the DSC-VHF, spare line, throwable life cushion, etc., etc.

A fire extinguisher is no good unless it is accessible from a safe place, facing the fire, your back to safety. Enclosed spaces probably need a break the window tool adjacent to the extinguisher.

It takes a while to work your way through the likely scenarios, and it also helps a lot to have another experienced boater work his way through your choices, posing what if questions.

For a long time I ran a teaching lab for first year chemistry students, and thought I had it nailed ... until the local fire marshal and a couple firemen inspected it. Several changes resulted. One of those changes saved the building when a volatile chemical caught fire one evening as I was alone up there grading papers. Many thanks to the professionals at the Astoria Fire Department, circa 1992.

 

[Foggy]

SNIP ... have an almost reflexive reaction reaching for items...SNIP

That sounds good, but... To perform a psychomotor skill "mindlessly", requires
practicing (aka 'mastering') it about 10K times.

Now, how many items, exactly, do you have that you want to have in your
reflexive repertoire?

Aye.

 

[Chris Bulovsky]

Things that get people in trouble usually not just one thing but a culmination of many little things. With boats and cars Alcohol plays a role for many poor decisions and most drowning's..... avoid it when boating. Mostly I comply with that philosophy but cocktail's and sand beaches seem to complement each other. That being said a solo outing is no time be screwing with your judgment.

 

[hardee]

Things that get people in trouble usually not just one thing but a culmination of many little things. With boats and cars Alcohol plays a role for many poor decisions and most drowning's..... avoid it when boating. Mostly I comply with that philosophy but cocktail's and sand beaches seem to complement each other. That being said a solo outing is no time be screwing with your judgment.

Chris. That is a very good point. Since I don't drink alcohol, and none comes on the boat, I don't think to add it to my list -- but you are right. Mixing ETOH and boating is just setting oneself up for a bad experience.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

 

[Foggy]

I feel sorry for people who don't drink.

Think about it.

When they get up in the morning, that's
the best they are going to feel all day.

Aye.

 

[hardee]

Well, just for fun, let's see:

Don't wake up with a headache
Don't have all those bottles and cans to take care of
Don't have to figure out the difference between buzzed and ......

Can remember what I did last night


I guess you pay your money and you take your chances

Thanks for your sympathy

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

 

[Lost Petrel]

Yep, after 10 years of not drinking, my day still improves, it just starts from a much better place.

Of course the level of drama has slipped a little.

 

[colbysmith]

I hate the flu. Never could figure out why any one would want to self induce a flu like feeling. Of course no excuse for acting stupid either. Nothing wrong with a beverage now and then with your meal though!

 

[hardee]

My apologies to my friends who do enjoy a bit on occasion, and who use in moderation. My remarks sound like everyone who drinks at all, uses more than moderately, so to set the record straight, I know there are those who are careful, and there can be some rational for etoh consumption for health reasons, HOWEVER, I was thinking along the line of alcohol and safety as not a good mix.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon