TonyJones
Well-Known Member
WNS UPDATED README_FIRST.
The purpose of What Now Skip is to give forum members the opportunity of learning from each other's experiences and opinions. To that end, awkward boating scenarios are presented for forum members to discuss. WNS is not a test with replies measured against predetermined ‘correct’ answer. In fact, in most cases, their usually more than just one solution to the posed scenario. Selected posts will appear in the next issue of the magazine along with the author’s preferred solution.
However, please read the scenario carefully as some of the information given may imply certain possibilities or restrictions on possible courses of action – without spelling them out specifically.
The author always tries to describe the situation as fully as possible but ambiguities sometimes arise. If you are unclear as to any particular aspect or require clarification of an issue – just ask.
Scenario
You are enjoying a brisk cruise up a wide Highland sea loch in your 37ft twin-engined sports cruiser. It’s early in the season and not many boats are about. The wind is about F3/F4, the weather bright and sunny but it is distinctly chilly. But you and your mate – who is a competent boat handler in their own right - are having a thoroughly good time.
You notice a 30ft modern sailing yacht standing in very close to the cliffs on your starboard side and reckon he is cutting it a bit fine. The yacht goes about but fails to come through the wind and ends up in stays (head to wind) with both sails flapping. After a minute or so you become concerned and through your binoculars notice someone in the cockpit waving frantically.
You motor over to find that the helmsman has been hit on the head by the boom while the yacht was going about (tacking) and is lying unconscious on the cockpit floor with his head wedged in the corner at a funny angle. The crew person is in a bit of a panic, not making much sense and obviously incapable of actually sailing the yacht away from the cliffs or even starting its engine. (You notice that there are no keys in the ignition). The water is deep right up to the foot of the sheer granite cliff which is now only about 100m away. If nothing is done in the next few minutes the yacht will be dashed against its foot and recovery will be well nigh impossible.
While you have been talking to the crew your mate has contacted the coastguard who say they are sending a chopper as the lifeboat is engaged on another shout. It should be with you in about 15 minutes. You have sailed dinghies in the past and reckon that if you went aboard you could probably get the yacht underway, leaving your own boat in the capable hands of your mate. But would that be the right thing to do? And what about first aid for the casualty?
What now Skip?
The purpose of What Now Skip is to give forum members the opportunity of learning from each other's experiences and opinions. To that end, awkward boating scenarios are presented for forum members to discuss. WNS is not a test with replies measured against predetermined ‘correct’ answer. In fact, in most cases, their usually more than just one solution to the posed scenario. Selected posts will appear in the next issue of the magazine along with the author’s preferred solution.
However, please read the scenario carefully as some of the information given may imply certain possibilities or restrictions on possible courses of action – without spelling them out specifically.
The author always tries to describe the situation as fully as possible but ambiguities sometimes arise. If you are unclear as to any particular aspect or require clarification of an issue – just ask.
Scenario
You are enjoying a brisk cruise up a wide Highland sea loch in your 37ft twin-engined sports cruiser. It’s early in the season and not many boats are about. The wind is about F3/F4, the weather bright and sunny but it is distinctly chilly. But you and your mate – who is a competent boat handler in their own right - are having a thoroughly good time.
You notice a 30ft modern sailing yacht standing in very close to the cliffs on your starboard side and reckon he is cutting it a bit fine. The yacht goes about but fails to come through the wind and ends up in stays (head to wind) with both sails flapping. After a minute or so you become concerned and through your binoculars notice someone in the cockpit waving frantically.
You motor over to find that the helmsman has been hit on the head by the boom while the yacht was going about (tacking) and is lying unconscious on the cockpit floor with his head wedged in the corner at a funny angle. The crew person is in a bit of a panic, not making much sense and obviously incapable of actually sailing the yacht away from the cliffs or even starting its engine. (You notice that there are no keys in the ignition). The water is deep right up to the foot of the sheer granite cliff which is now only about 100m away. If nothing is done in the next few minutes the yacht will be dashed against its foot and recovery will be well nigh impossible.
While you have been talking to the crew your mate has contacted the coastguard who say they are sending a chopper as the lifeboat is engaged on another shout. It should be with you in about 15 minutes. You have sailed dinghies in the past and reckon that if you went aboard you could probably get the yacht underway, leaving your own boat in the capable hands of your mate. But would that be the right thing to do? And what about first aid for the casualty?
What now Skip?
