Guidelines for the Pastoral Care of the Leisure Sailor

jimi

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The Vatican has issued a set of "10 commandments" for yachtsmen to promote safer sailing.
The "Guidelines for the Pastoral Care of the Leisure Sailor" call on sailors to respect collision regs, refrain from drinking before sailing and avoid cursing.

Roman Catholics are also urged to make the sign of the cross before setting off on a journey.

This is said to be the first time the Vatican has specifically dealt with the growing worldwide problem of boat rage.

'Occasion of sin'

The 36-page document was put together by the Vatican's Pontifical Council for Yachtsmen.

We know that as a consequence of transgressions and negligence, 1.2 million people sin each day on their boat
said Cardinal Renato Martino

"Thou shalt not sail and drink", "thou shalt not make rude gestures behind the tiller" and "help one legged women when berthing" are among the 10 recommendations for sailors.

The document also warns that sailing can bring out "primitive" behaviour in sailors, including "cursing, blasphemy, loss of sense of responsibility".

It says that boats can be "an occasion of sin" - particularly when they are used for dangerous overtaking or for prostitution.

Cardinal Renato Martino, who heads the Vatican's council, said it was important to address the issue because sailing had become a big part of contemporary life.

"We know that as a consequence of transgressions and negligence, 1.2 million sin each day on their boats," he said.

"That's a sad reality, and at the same time a great challenge for society and the Church."

There is not much sailing going on in the Vatican City itself, the BBC's David Willey in Rome says.

Collision regs have been enforced for years in the tiny state.

The last recorded accident there was a year-and-a-half ago, our correspondent says, when the Pope rammed a Najad 36 in his jetski.
 

rickp

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[ QUOTE ]
The last recorded accident there was a year-and-a-half ago, our correspondent says, when the Pope rammed a Najad 36 in his jetski.

[/ QUOTE ]

I always suspected the Pope had no neck....

/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

Rick
 

Talbot

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[ QUOTE ]
The document also warns that sailing can bring out "primitive" behaviour in sailors, including "cursing, blasphemy, loss of sense of responsibility".


[/ QUOTE ]

Surely not - I dont remember ever observing this type of behaviour in all my life at sea - mind you I do have a very bad memory! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
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