sleeping at sea

The delivery trip sounds interesting, especially with the varying weather over the weekend. What did you end up buying and where was the trip to and from?

I was very tempted to buy a slightly over-knackered boat a couple of years ago because I really fancied the trip from its home port (Pwhelli) to my planned one at Brighton.
 
"A skipper needs 8 hours sleep a day, any at night is a bonus"

Personally whether single handed or with crew I have learnt not to get tired. Frequent cat naps, 20 winks, whatever you call it. If you wait until you feel tired before turning in its too late as you are likely to go into a deep sleep that takes time to wake from. By sleeping, or at least lying down and resting, little and often you can quickly become operative again if needed. I keep to this routine in port or at anchor when passage making so that I can be awake at night when back at sea.

Part of this ability comes from having kept watches while working at sea and being able to change my sleep patterns and rest / doze during daylight hours. This is probably less easy for those without experience of working watches or shifts.
 
Only once have I had a large enough crew to be redundant as watch-keeper, I found it VERY acceptable to sleep across the channel. I set my alarm for an hourly visit up top, made the hot chocolate etc at watch changes, and was generally back in bed in 15 minutes. It taught me that I was born senior officer material.
 
When I was teaching we used to do occassional cross channel trips, if the crew were up to it. Their orders were to call me any time if unsure of anything, shorten or change sails, changes in weather etc. but not for white lights, only coloured ones (white light are spotted miles away, coloured ones closer)

Then I would sleep soundly but for some reason be instantly awake to the slightest change to the motion or sounds of the boat. Then I'd lie there waiting to be called.

I once contemplated failing a candidate for not calling me when I felt they should have done.
 
Re: sleeping at sea and being called - simple maxim >

"Better to be called and not needed ................... than needed and not called"

That was said to me many years ago as a Cadet on ship. I have never forgotten those words - as they are as true today as they were then.
 
I did my 1st cross channel a few years ago (Plymouth / St Peter Port) with my son and some of his mates as crew. All 16/17 year olds.

Once we where clear of the English coastal shipping I went below leaving the instruction to call me as soon as they started to see shipping ahead.
Went fast asleep.
Next thing i know the engine is started.
My son recons that I was on deck within 10 seconds of him touching the starter button.

"O. We are just getting out of the way of that ship"
Was the response to the obvious question.

Needless to say I found any further sleep at sea on that trip somewhat difficult!
 
Much hard-learned sense here. Let's face it, the best crew are often qualified skippers - they've been there! Tho there is a danger that they'll wind you up; I admit to launching up thro the companionway to find someone deliberately spinning an empty winch . . .
Has anyone read "To sea in carpet slippers"? Life on board Thallassa seems a hoot - I saw her at Hardway recently.
CJH
 
Re: sleeping at sea and being called - simple maxim >

Couldn't agree more, but wouldn't set down the same rules for a person on their first night watch as for a person I'd sailed with for years.
 
Re: sleeping at sea and being called - simple maxim >

Anyone with good sense would appreciate a skippers concerns and also accept a good set of rules to work by. I do not agree that rules can vary according to experience etc. I have seen and actually done myself - crazy errors that show that everyone can be foolish.
So sensible set of "Watch Orders" which include call requirements.

Honest - you are the skipper - it is your head on the block if anything goes wrong - responsibility cannot be shared around and crew should appreciate you do not put onus on them .......

Master unto God and the Sea.
 
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Perhaps of more interest is the number of times I've woken up and gone on deck because I didn't feel quite right about something. Invariably when I stick my head out of the hatch there is shipping, or something that that crew haven't noticed. Not necessarily an imminent or immediate danger to the boat - just a sort of sixth sense that something ought to be watched.


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No, the most likely interpretation is that you sleep through most such 'incidents'!

I would strongly advise against putting any trust in your 6th sense!!



[/ QUOTE ]I don't trust my sixth sense at all.

I do brief the crew and assess their competence though! On ocean passages, I try not to be in the watch bill and usually get less sleep than some of the crew who are watch keeping. When sailing with my family, I try to sleep when I can.

We spent a week on board (last week) and I ended up quite tired. Not from the sailing, but more from having several guests on board. Always a worry - just to look after them properly...
 
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