The answer to single-handed watchkeeping?

dulcibella

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Joined
26 Jun 2003
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1,157
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Portsmouth, UK
blog.mailasail.com
No more need for the kitchen pinger to wake the singlehander every fifteen minutes. According to the current TV advertisement, any gallant solo sailorette feeling a sniffle coming on can leave it to her plucky packet of Lemsip to keep watch while she gets eight hours kip down below. The brave little chap is fully kitted out with yellow binoculars and wellies but .... no lifejacket or line! This irresponsibility must stop before the ocean becomes clogged with drowned packets of patent nostrums.
 
To be fair at the end of the day it's only an advert, I've seen countless pictures of Sam Davies at see single-handed with neither jacket or lifeline on. Does that mean to say she should be blasted for that? She's survived pretty well so far for a pretty good reason... she has used her judgement and decided for herself when she should wear said equipment.

I don't like this attitude of you MUST do this or MUST wear this while out on the water. I like to be able to use my judgement.

If we started regulating lifejacket and lifeline wearing, does that not create a pretty paved path to more regulations like compulsory licensing?
 
.... no lifejacket or line! This irresponsibility must stop before the ocean becomes clogged with drowned packets of patent nostrums.

Totally agree! There must be a society or institute, probably "Royal", that could and should make a statement on this. It can't be acceptable to leave a cardboard box on watch without fitting it with some sort of protection.
 
Totally agree! There must be a society or institute, probably "Royal", that could and should make a statement on this. It can't be acceptable to leave a cardboard box on watch without fitting it with some sort of protection.

This sort of slapdash approach is even promoted by the BBC. In their opening credits for "In the Night Garden" on CBeebies, the protagonist 'Iggle Piggle' appears to lie hove-to with admittedly, the correct single all-round white light appropriate for a small dinghy, yet just uses the sail as a blanket with no lifejacket or safety line, let alone informing the CG of his position by VHF and issueing an "all ships" warning. This sort of nonsense must stop.
 
It is only an advert but it is ridiculous.

I don't think it is dangerous as no sailor would take any notice. I once made the opposite mistake of taking Day Nurse in the evening and couldn't sleep at all and that was in a harbour :o
 
OOOO maybe i had an overreaction after actually seeing the advert :D

I thought the OP was the advert of the woman in a MOBO battling tough seas and she has a cold...

Sorry guys, i'll just get my coat :D
 
Obviously I am not alone!

Gentleman, I do not even own a TV just internet, and Books. I really dont think you should read too much into these kind of commercials otherwise you may never be able to launch your own boat due to too much red tape!
 
Gentleman, I do not even own a TV just internet, and Books. I really dont think you should read too much into these kind of commercials otherwise you may never be able to launch your own boat due to too much red tape!

Books don't teach sarcasm ever so well though. ;)


That said, I haven't owned a TV for years.
 
I think we're all missing the elephant in the room!

Forget the lifeline and lifejacket for the poor cardboard watch-keeper... The poor b*gger got absolutley no warning of the gybe that narrowly missed the top of his head thus casting him overboard! :D:rolleyes:
 
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