Prevention is the Safest Route to Safety

Once an accident has happened, nothing can be changed.

After the fact, it is too late to create the necessary safety, the safety that was needed to prevent the accident.  

You can only build up safety in advance. You do that by predicting the hazards that exist and by taking action that makes it difficult - or preferably impossible - for those hazards to get near your boat.

Think about it: everyone can increase their safety at sea, including you. Supplementing or refreshing your own skills with some kind of training is always a good idea. Perhaps you should also improve the boat and the safety equipment you have – or should have.

Remember that your safety equipment is active. You use it every time you are out on the water. It protects you from accidents. Emergency and life-saving equipment is passive, on the other hand. It can save your life, but it does not prevent accidents.

A boat’s capacity to withstand rough weather does not depend solely on the wind and the water. It is extremely dependent on the boat itself, as a construction, and especially the condition of the hull, mast, rigging and sails. And first and foremost, on the capacity and experience of the crew. Many boats are called ocean cruisers in advertisements, but far from all of them really are. You must learn to realistically assess the capacity of your boat.