simple question - what is the most dangerous thing on a boat?

[TQA]

Toss up between the boom and the dinghy IMHO.

 

[parbuckle]

Financial worry.

 

[lw395]

The things that worry me are often winches, blocks etc, which dinghy sailors don't respect enough for the loads they carry.
Small boat sailors on big boats have to be watched more than landlubbers IMHO.

Also cameras.
The number of muppets I've taken afloat and they've spent all the time with two hands for the camera and even looking through it instead of being aware what's going on....

Beyond that, burning or scalding risks, we had a particularly near miss with a nasty plastic cafetiere.

Then all the hardware, anchors etc which try to take chunks out of fingers.

On some boats, collisions, either racing or with docks etc, risk of crushed fingers, limbs etc. That worries me with some sailors.

 

[BrianH]

The gangway/passerelle when connected to stern-to vessels. The only life-threatening situations that have touched me in over 50 years of sailing. In the last five years I've hauled two old guys out of the harbour at night when their gangway tipped. Unfortunately not the one who drowned - but he fell in when I was away cruising and had a very high alcohol level.
http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?374456-A-Salutory-Tale-for-all-Single-Liveaboards&p=4393711#post4393711

 

[truscott]

A schedule.

Like the one we had a month back. Shouldn't have set to sea, but did...all to get the boat back to her berth in time for me to catch my flight. Nasty nasty day. In hindsight, we should have stayed put.

PT

 

[Tony Cross]

A schedule.

Like the one we had a month back. Shouldn't have set to sea, but did...all to get the boat back to her berth in time for me to catch my flight. Nasty nasty day. In hindsight, we should have stayed put.

PT

Exactly. We've always said that the most dangerous thing on a boat is a calendar.

 

[aslabend]

Over confidence?

 

[Seajet]

On my boat it's;

A/ The 45 mile drive to and fro

B/ The trip in the dinghy either way

 

[wully1]

ME.....

 

[Searush]

Over confidence?

Somehow the Maritime Guardian Angels seem to have a special eye to watch over new boat owners most of the time. Sadly, some still slip away unnoticed.

 

[JumbleDuck]

Dreams.

 

[Beelzebub]

An army officer.

 

[Seven Spades]

The thing most likely to cause injury is the boom or mainsheet. Other than that an electric winch. Most people worry about Gas but the reality is that very few boats suffer gas explosions. At sea you are most likely to die from an inversion or falling overboard.

 

[BurnitBlue]

On my boat it is the anchor chain chute. This year during a violent squall that caused the anchor to break out I tried to retrieve the anchor but the chain somehow folded over in the chute and became totally jammed. The electric windlass had nowhere to dmp the chain. I could neither get the anchor up or down. It took less than a minute for me to drag with a now shortened scope onto the beach.

Typical design for a floating caravan where the accommodation took priority. Windlass in a deck well and only a foot or so of anchor chain fall before the inevitable pyramid in the tiny excuse for a chain locker.

Moody 346.

 

[Toutvabien]

My wife deep frying chips in the middle of the Atlantic.

 

[JumbleDuck]

My wife deep frying chips in the middle of the Atlantic.

Blimey, the Gulf Stream must have warmed up a bit.

 

[KellysEye]

Gas and the boom, both have killed people.

 

[Bobc]

Farts that set off smoke alarms (oh yes, it actually happened).

 

[nigelmercier]

The nut that holds the tiller.

Or the knob on the wheel.

 

[Peroo]

Wet and hungry crew
A hangover
A large amount of rum
Having to be somewhere on a certain date - can you remember why you even agreed to it, let alone achieve it?