Drown like a gentleman

snowleopard

snowleopard

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"It would be more seemly to drown like a gentleman."
Blondie Hasler, 1956
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When undertaking a hazardous voyage - crossing the Atlantic solo in a 25 footer, rowing across, sailing the Cornish coast with no knowledge of seamanship.... Should you - Be prevented from going - forced to post a rescue bond - call out the rescue services without a qualm - or drown like a gentleman?

Should we as a sailing community be urging the authorities to impose restrictions on people who undertake voyages we consider unduly hazardous? Or should we stand up for our right to put ourselves in danger?
 
I believe in freedom, so I think if someone wants to try and sail the Atlantic in a bath, they should not be stopped from trying, as they're hot harming anyone else. If they then get into trouble and there are people willing to help them, regardless of their stupidity, then fair enough. I would be willing to help, without too much risk, in that instance. If their is an organisation of willing volunteers who will respond to requests for help, then no-one should be blamed for making use of them.
 
snowleopard said:
When undertaking a hazardous voyage - crossing the Atlantic solo in a 25 footer, rowing across, sailing the Cornish coast with no knowledge of seamanship.... Should you - Be prevented from going - forced to post a rescue bond - call out the rescue services without a qualm - or drown like a gentleman?

Should we as a sailing community be urging the authorities to impose restrictions on people who undertake voyages we consider unduly hazardous? Or should we stand up for our right to put ourselves in danger?
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Yes but Who gets to decide what is "unduly hazardous"? I sail an open boat with no buoyancy, and row in open boats with no buoyancy. I am happy with my own risk assessment, but fear that someone else without my knowledge and experience of these activities, might well determine that they are too hazardous. Of course they are not, provided you know the limits of your person and your craft.

I would not be so churlish as to refuse assistance if it was offered, as an alternative to drowning like a gentleman. However I make my plans on the assumption that no one would reach me in time if it all went tits up.

ps. I am glad you are not abandoning the boaty side of these fora, and just avoiding the hazardous voyage into the Lounge.
 
My wife and I made friends of a chap sme f you might have head of - Les Powles? He wrote a couple of books, Hands Open and Solitaire Spirit, both good books and well worth reading. Whenever Les set off on one of his RTW voyages he never shipped any safety equipment apart from a harness. He did this so he'd never be able to call for help should the need arise, he felt strongly anyone participating in a risky venture should rely solely on their own skills. When the NZ government introduced laws (or whatever they're called) preventing sailors from departing without a safety equipment check, Les left anyway and was too scared to put into Ports en route to Uk believing he'd be arrested. As a result of both these issues, he found himself in serious weather, tied to the mast clutching an empty whisky bottle prepared to die from drowning! We first met him after he arrived home in Lymngton and was admitted to hospital where he was nursed by my wife.

For me, the answers no, when I set out on a longer passage my boat bristles with the latest "rescue me now" equipment, I'd hate to drown and I'm not brave enough to go like a gentleman if there's help to hand! So far I've managed to cope with everything the weather, sickness and breakages have thrown at me but ultimately, if it meant never seeing my family again, yes, I'd pull the pin on the Epirb.
 
Well said Brian - you and me both!!

Wandering Star said:
For me, the answers no, when I set out on a longer passage my boat bristles with the latest "rescue me now" equipment, I'd hate to drown and I'm not brave enough to go like a gentleman if there's help to hand! So far I've managed to cope with everything the weather, sickness and breakages have thrown at me but ultimately, if it meant never seeing my family again, yes, I'd pull the pin on the Epirb.
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I'm no gentleman - at least as far as drowning's concerned, but I do my best not to need assistance. So far, grabbing copious quantities of wood, so good, at least on my boat.

However, I do pay my subscription to the RNLI and a bit to GAFIRS, in the hope that it's (for me) a complete waste of money.
 
Having been in the position whereby it was necessary to activate the EPIRB and prepare and eventually take to the liferaft I think its safe to say that I would not be one for taking the just drown option, incidentally how does a gentleman drown do they do it differently to everyone else?
If someone puts to sea and takes the right steps to provide for their safety then why should they not be rescued, and then again if anyone was in difficulty at sea no matter how they put themselves into that situation I would try to help isn't that part of what seafaring is about, watching out for others.
Of course I like to think that I put to sea with a basic knowledge of seamanship others may decide otherwise
 
snowleopard said:
Should we as a sailing community be urging the authorities to impose restrictions on people who undertake voyages we consider unduly hazardous? Or should we stand up for our right to put ourselves in danger?
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The much-publicised antics of a few idiots are the things which could land us with additional regulation. Right now, leisure boating is one of the few remaining freedoms. I sincerely hope we can keep it that way.
 
Having sailed a bit in the times when flares where ones best hope, I do not expect to be rescued, so sail with that in mind.
If rowing across a big pond or, as happening now, a guy sailing a very small boat around Cape Horn, then one should accept it might go very wrong.

P.S. Huge fan of Blondie
 
I believe my family, these forums and the country in general would never recover properly from the pain of losing me were I to drown at sea, I think firing off my Epirb would be a public spirited service to save so much grief for so many people. I wouldn't fire it off for my own selfish sake it would be done very reluctantly but in the knowledge it was for the greater good.
 
pvb said:
The much-publicised antics of a few idiots are the things which could land us with additional regulation. Right now, leisure boating is one of the few remaining freedoms. I sincerely hope we can keep it that way.
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+1, it really is a freedom and I am not sure just how much people appreciate this marvellous state of affairs we enjoy.

To the OP - stand up for the right to put ourselves in danger.
 
Blondie was alright and all that, but the reality is that as many so-called gentlemen have probably drowned like babies wailing for their mummies as ordinary men have drowned with fortitude.

As to drowning by choice, no I'd be entirely justified in raising a mayday using whatever means at my disposal. If someone was willing to risk their own safety to rescue me, then that's a worthy thing.

You wouldn't, by the way, let your house just burn down without raising the alarm, would you? But then maybe real gents don't stoop to such plebian measures...

As to women and children, the former at least have the vote and adult agency - not to mention those who captain aircraft, naval vessels and industries - and should certainly resent being given any priority in the 21st century as the somehow weaker sex.

:)
 
incidentally how does a gentleman drown do they do it differently to everyone else?

I am sure the physiology is universal. Its the manner in which it is approached I suspect.
The various rich and famous or poor and down trodden of their day on the titanic who stood back from the boats and sang abide with me.
As opposed to Duff Gordon or Ismay whos reputations never recovered.

There is a story, about some Lord or Earl on the Lusitania who gave his life jacket away and went to the bar with his butler. To await his fate. Wouldn't have wanted to be the butler.

I think all Blondie meant. Was he was doing what he wanted, wise or not. and didn't expect anyone to endanger themselves on his account. Seams to cover it well enough.

I think a free society allows for eccentric, crazy, foolish behavior as long as no harm is done to others. And puts no others at risk.
Sponsoring, Encouraging, Publicising and profiting from on the other hand?
 
Uricanejack said:
incidentally how does a gentleman drown do they do it differently to everyone else?

I am sure the physiology is universal. Its the manner in which it is approached I suspect.
The various rich and famous or poor and down trodden of their day on the titanic who stood back from the boats and sang abide with me.
As opposed to Duff Gordon or Ismay whos reputations never recovered.

There is a story, about some Lord or Earl on the Lusitania who gave his life jacket away and went to the bar with his butler. To await his fate. Wouldn't have wanted to be the butler.
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The rich and famous were much more likely to survive the titanic than the poor and downtrodden. Maybe the best thing is to survive like a gentleman.
 
Most offshore S&R planes or lifeboats will have a crew of seven.
When you switch on the distress gear, what conditions are you asking several
people to risk their lives in?
 
I suspect old Blondie was quite a guy. A Lieutenant Colonel who personally led the Cockleshell Raid, instrumental in the formation of the SBS. With a pedigree like that, no wonder he said those words. They don't make 'em like that any more...
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