Shouting is a sign of incompetence

dylanwinter

dylanwinter

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www.keepturningleft.co.uk
I never shout at crew... I never will

even when I was helming racing keel boats

people are aboard for pleasure not to be on the receiving end of your temper tantrums

Losing your temper is a sign that you are losing control

- certainly of yourself and probably of your boat

I obviously mumble the odd profanity - but not so that anyone else can hear

Dylan - the mild mannered mariner
 
dylanwinter said:
I never shout at crew... I never will

even when I was helming racing keel boats

people are aboard for pleasure not to be on the receiving end of your temper tantrums

Losing your temper is a sign that you are losing control

- certainly of yourself and probably of your boat

I obviously mumble the odd profanity - but not so that anyone else can hear

Dylan - the mild mannered mariner
Click to expand...

Losing your temper is a sign of incompetence. Shouting can be quite useful, as in "DUCK!"
Not as effective, of course, if shouting is the default mode for the skipper.

Merry Christmas!
 
Well there's at least two or three types of shouting:

1. Increasing volume so that those at the other end of the boat can hear you above a flogging sail or wind noise -perfectly OK (as long as you aren't telling them something you should have told them five minutes ago in the comfort of the cockpit).

2. Shouting to express anger or frustration with the crew. Almost never permissible, but occasionally excusable if the crew are showing extreme stupidity, lethargy or intransigence. We shouldn't do it but the occasional lapse is tolerated if the crew know they have been naughty boys/girls and that we normally treat them fair.

3. Shouting to humiliate, insult or point out lack of skill or experience. Never permissible. If this happens more than once, the crew are justified in finding a better skipper, mutinying or refusing normal matrimonial or friendly relations (as appropriate).

I agree that singlehanding is good for developing patience and understanding of the crew (self)) which is transferable to other crew when we have them. However it doesn't develop leadership, diplomacy and communication skill which are also important!

PS I agree with Salty John who put it more pithily than me while I was typing my sermon.
 
You are missing out on the Physics.

The compression waves that are what sound is (not the wave form typically envisaged) seriously affect the pressure differential on the sails. The mainsail, being closer to the skipper, will suffer the greater loss by way of proximity, the foresail less so.

A separate, and conclusive study, has demonstrated that if the name of the sail is included in the transmission, that sail will respond regardless of proximity. This is the subject of further research. It has been confirmed that 'trim the fecking spinnaker' will almost always result in the sheet being tightened and flow re-attaching at the leach, resulting in a broach.

I could post a series of links, but really, just take part in a race, the loudest boats are always last.
 
Shouting and swearing can convey many meanings, and the meanings depend a lot on the persons using them.

I remember the 1st Lt on the ship I did my midshipman's year on and he only ever shouted at me or any one else that I witness either, it was very appropriate conveyed his feelings succinctly and was very clear. It did take me all the time it took me to walk back to the bridge to paraphrase his reply to the CO's question in a way that more appropriate for conditions on the bridge. The 1st Lt had conveyed his message without wasting time from his key task which was getting the damage to our refuelling at sea gear fixed so we could get the fuel we desperately needed.

I swear very rarely but several people who have worked for me have commented that when I do they know just how serious I felt about the situation.

Routine shouting and swearing is bad, can be bullying and is totally unnecessary
 
I was once given the privilege of a lift on the square rigger TS Royalist in a strong wind, a wonderful experience to which I shall always say thankyou to the 'Square Riggers' Association'.

There was a loudhailer on the foremast, but I gathered it was disused; the bosun was obviously a very skilled guy but due to a speech impediment had trouble getting the message across to we plebs as to how do things; the loudhailer would have been very beneficial in that case.

----------

In the meantime I'll just have to roll ball bearings or brussel sprouts down my girlfriends' ear trumpet to get her attention, then yell...

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE !
 
Shouting may well be a sign of incompetence, but there are lots of incompetent sailors.

Thank you for letting us know that you do not consider yourself to be one.

Puh-lease!:cool:
 
Shouting isn't only indicative of incompetence...... my personal volume decreased once I got my hearing aids. I'll the first to admit they did nothing for my sailing skills.
 
John.edwards said:
I always try to say please when giving instructions. when there is no 'please' the crew know it is a sign of urgency
Click to expand...

Its a good word. I use it all the time - with my young son, adult students, crew when I have any. In all cases, please amounts to the several things at once: it indicates a clear requirement, carries an adequate authority, all the while keeping the relationship polite and consensual.

We are pleasure sailors after all - but the term is used to positive effect in stricter hierarchies as well.
 
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I am not immune from shouting :o, although I try to do it to be heard and for no other reason :rolleyes:.

First plan for me is there should be NO verbal communication :D.
If communication should be required there should be time to discuss it at an appropriate location on the boat:cool:. The whole task will be reconsidered for the next time ;)..

After that there can be verbal instructions :(, normally with increasing tones of panic:confused:/ terror :eek:....

I always brief the crew, if I am shouting its my fault. No matter what I say at the time! :D:D:D

Its goes with the briefing that no matter what goes wrong on the boat, its my fault. If we go aground or scratch the paint berthing it does not matter if I am at the wheel or in the Bar ashore it will be my fault (or the other side of the world come to think of it). As I will of been the one to let them do something that they where not up to, or may simply of not been possible..
 
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