“Don’t all of the safety drills you do take some of the enjoyment out of boating?” a slip neighbor asked after my partner and I completed our morning drills.
“Oh, no, quite the contrary,” I replied.
The truth is that rehearsing for an emergency makes us feel freer to enjoy the boat, confident that we’re prepared for anything. The Stoics called it premeditatio malorum, “the premeditation of evils.” It is the practice of foreseeing what could go wrong, and having a plan to deal with it. The philosopher Seneca wrote: “What is quite unlooked for is more crushing in its effect, and unexpectedness adds to the weight of a disaster. This is a reason for ensuring that nothing ever takes us by surprise. We should project our thoughts ahead of us at every turn and have in mind every possible eventuality.”
Our long-distance cruising vessels are complex pieces of electromechanical machinery, floating in an ever-changing element, one that will swallow us whole in the blink of an eye. Having plans in place for potential dangers is as important as the steps taken to minimize the risks.
Understanding what happens in your brain during an unexpected situation can also help you see how the stoic principle makes solving a problem easier. When your brain is under stress, your body releases high doses of cortisol, which, among other things, clouds rational, logical thinking. We can learn from people trained to respond without hesitation during an emergency: nurses, firefighters, flight attendants. Through experience and repetition, they rewire the circuitry in their brains to mitigate the effects of the cortisol and control the fear response.
For us boaters, this same task is accomplished in our safety drills, by walking through what could go wrong and practicing the necessary steps to handle the situations. The drills let us rely on our rehearsed experiences to help us make decisions in an emergency.
Another critical element in foreseeing trouble is knowing the most likely cause of boating emergencies. According to data from the U.S. Coast Guard, the five primary contributing factors in boating accidents are: inattention, improper lookout, operator inexperience, machinery failure and alcohol use. With a little planning, you can manage each of these risks to keep your cruising a safe adventure.
There is also strong anecdotal evidence to suggest that more personal injuries occur while a boat is still tied in the slip or anchored, as opposed to underway. Just the simple act of boarding a boat can be risky. We recently met a family whose boat was tied across the pier from us at a marina. They were preparing their catamaran for a world circumnavigation. The grandparents had already circumnavigated once. This time, their children and grandchildren were joining them. We watched them board their boat a few times, and my wife observed, “Have you watched how they board their boat by stepping on the spring line? That looks like an accident waiting to happen.” Just days after that, the grandfather fell while stepping off the boat. He broke his hip.
We also had a friend who, while distracted on her phone, stepped into the gap between the boat and the pier. She couldn’t pull herself back out. Fortunately, her husband rescued her.
Onboard safety is more than just having the latest equipment. It is a state of mind, a willingness to ask, “What if?” and an unwillingness to become a statistic. When most boaters free their lines and head for open water, they do so in a mild state of denial that something could go wrong. Stoicism asks just the opposite; it’s about considering everything that could go wrong, and having a plan to deal with it.
Put in place safety drills for a range of emergencies, from person overboard to fire and flooding. Go through the steps of handling each situation. Use the drills to look for gaps in your plans, and time yourself to improve the speed with which everyone is wearing life jackets and has fire extinguishers or fire blankets at the ready. Practicing these drills and continually evaluating the potential risks will go a long way toward preparing you for the unexpected.
HOW TO LOOK AHEAD
The process of reducing many risks in boating can be done by identifying the hazard and then taking steps to reduce or eliminate it. Use a checklist each time you prepare the boat for an outing. The following list is a good starting point; you can add items specific to your boat and crew.
θ Decks and exterior surfaces: Inspect all railings and lifelines. Neatly stow all lines and fenders to avoid tripping hazards. Consider adding handholds or railings, especially in areas that transition up or down. Ensure that all decks and stair treads are slip-resistant.
θ Person-overboard procedures: Do you know how you would help get someone back on board from the water? It won’t be as easy as you think. Pick a nice, calm day and practice.
θ Interior cabin spaces: Are handholds strategically placed to have one within reach at all times? Secure all loose objects, especially anything overhead that could fall when the boat is moving.
θ Helm: Everything needed for safe operation should be within reach. Leaving the helm, even for a second, has been known to cause an accident. Configure the helm to be comfortable, especially if you cruise for long periods of time. Stress and fatigue increase if the helm is not comfortable underway.
θ Needed repairs: Keep a running checklist, and make sure everything necessary for safe operation is fully functional.
θ Emergency equipment: Be sure that you have the correct firefighting equipment on board. Do you know how to use it? Do you have a fully stocked first-aid kit?
θ Weather: Check it, and then double-check it. Going out in weather beyond the boat’s or captain’s ability is an accident waiting to happen. Be flexible with planned departure times. With today’s sophisticated weather forecasting, no boater should be caught by surprise in a storm.
This article was originally published in the January/February 2024 issue.
