Forget anything you may have seen in Robert Redford’s goofy movie “All Is Lost.” Surviving a crisis at sea happens because of preparation, the right gear, seamanship skills and a good attitude.
“Survival at Sea” is one of 11 seminars offered at CruiserPort University: The Bluewater Edition during the Newport International Boat Show in Rhode Island, Sept. 13-16.
Marine trainer Bob Arrington and Nordhavn yacht broker Ben Sprague will discuss heaving to, storm anchors, drogues, ditch bags and communicating with rescuers. Brian Kinsella of Viking Liferafts will focus on liferafts, one of which will be deployed during class.
Sprague brings his own unique insight. When he and fellow crewmembers tried to abandon ship during an Atlantic Ocean passage in 1978, their liferaft blew away. They spent days in a dinghy until rescued by a Cuban freighter. It’s possible to purchase all 11 classes as a package, bu for à la carte attendees, this seminar pairs well with “First Aid & Emergency Preparedness at Sea.”
Each attendee will receive a certificate of completion that may earn them a discount on boat insurance.
The seminar series is brought to you by PassageMaker and the producers of TrawlerFest boat shows. Despite the trawler connection, all classes are “propulsion agnostic,” valuable to anyone who cruises under power or sail. “Even if you don’t intend to go past the sight of land, these classes will benefit coastal cruisers who want to boost confidence and a sense of independence,” organizer Peter Swanson says.
The seminars, two and 3½ hours in length, happen Wednesday through Saturday, Sept. 13-16, at the Blues Café across from the entrance to the show.
