YM Nov issue, p45 "Always wear a life jacket."

B

BlueSkyNick

Well-Known Member
Joined
29 Apr 2003
Messages
11,766
Location
Near a marina, sailing club and pub
Visit site
This is one of the Lessons Learned by a poor chap who lost his crew over the side, leading to death.

Now I am not normally one to knock YM on here, but I am a little surprised that in the same issue there are pictures of Messrs Gelder, Durham, Cunliffe and others all sailing without life lackets. Even a shot of the boat involved in the MOB incident shows three chaps without.

Don't get me wrong, I am not one of the preachers who tells others to wear a LJ at all times, I am in the "as and when the situation requires it" camp. Nor am I trying to say that these fine chaps are hypocritical - I am sometimes, too, so to would be hypocritical of me to point this out! ;)

The moral of the story is despite what we keep being told, human nature is to make one's own mind up. A bit like fatty food and alcohol being bad for us - the majority still tend to use both.

Freedom of choice is essential to enjoyable sailing - and long may it stay that way ....
 
Since 2004, they have been required by law in Ireland. See lifejackets and the law.

It doesn't seem a big deal when you get used to it - in fact you start feeling naked without. (Now, now, don't get excited.)

I feel much more relaxed seeing crew going on deck properly lifejacketed (i.e. with crotch straps done up) not so much because I doubt their ability to float without, more because of that nice steel D-ring on the harness by which to heave them back on board.
 
Last edited:
My thought is:

If I make it a habit to wear an LJ without thinking about it, then I'm actually more likely to have it on when I need it. So, to me, its a no brainer.
 
jimi said:
My thought is:

If I make it a habit to wear an LJ without thinking about it, then I'm actually more likely to have it on when I need it. So, to me, its a no brainer.
Click to expand...

agreed: just wear them and get on with your life. Never understood what the fuss is all about. They are so "discreet " these days anyhow.
 
Racing neck and neck with a competitor last saturday we were mightily amused when their foredeck mans lifejacket went 'pop' all on its own. We cheered, and got a bow in return.

I always wear them when sailing, but stupidly I did not when motoring at night across the Solent the other day. Inconsistent and not too clever really.

I did buy two crotch straps last friday and fitted them to the LJs that did not have them on my boat. Not much use if not worn though....I know:rolleyes:

Tim
 
In response to those who say that they wear LJs as & when circumstances require, what happens when those circumstances crop up very quickly & unexpectedly? Surely in those situations the last thing that a skipper wants is his crew putting on LJs when they might be needed for other duties aboard?
 
I've fallen off twice, both times in benign conditions, and both times I managed to hang on to the boat as I went over (hanging from a guard rail bl**dy hurts). Neither time with an LJ. I reckoned someone was trying to get a message through to me, and have worn an LJ ever since the second occasion.
 
Lawsy said:
In response to those who say that they wear LJs as & when circumstances require, what happens when those circumstances crop up very quickly & unexpectedly? Surely in those situations the last thing that a skipper wants is his crew putting on LJs when they might be needed for other duties aboard?
Click to expand...

Like what fast? Lightning fast? Under sail :confused:
Unexpectedly? Dunno - over time you learn to anticipate most things.

O/b Guapa the LJs live under the sprayhood - putting them on takes less than a minute.
If an emergency/disaster 'springs on me' in under a minute, it's too late anyway.
 
MoodyNick said:
This is one of the Lessons Learned by a poor chap who lost his crew over the side, leading to death.

Now I am not normally one to knock YM on here, but I am a little surprised that in the same issue there are pictures of Messrs Gelder, Durham, Cunliffe and others all sailing without life lackets. Even a shot of the boat involved in the MOB incident shows three chaps without.

Don't get me wrong, I am not one of the preachers who tells others to wear a LJ at all times, I am in the "as and when the situation requires it" camp. Nor am I trying to say that these fine chaps are hypocritical - I am sometimes, too, so to would be hypocritical of me to point this out! ;)

The moral of the story is despite what we keep being told, human nature is to make one's own mind up. A bit like fatty food and alcohol being bad for us - the majority still tend to use both.

Freedom of choice is essential to enjoyable sailing - and long may it stay that way ....
Click to expand...
totally agree with you.

What on earth was the intent behind the statement? If it was to get people to wear their lifejackets it was far too patronising to be effective.

If it was to create a 100+ post thread on scuttlebutt where the born again lifejacket brigade will wade in and preach to the unconverted, and the sinners will be even more determined not to wear them because they've been preached to then good job YM.
 
Last edited:
I'm a fatalist. I'm going to die one day.
Having said that I usually have a bouyancy aid with me and wear one sometimes. No logic to it though.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top