Seamanship

Words on board

Bow / stern

The front and the back of the boat.

Port / starboard

Left and right when facing forward. Port is marked red, starboard green.

Windward / leeward

The side facing the wind and the side away from it.

Mainsail / headsail

The sail on the mast and the sail in front of it (genoa or jib).

Sheet / halyard

A sheet trims a sail in or out, a halyard hoists it.

Winch / cleat

A winch is a drum for sheets and halyards. A line is made fast on a cleat.

Mooring line / fender

Lines to tie up to the pontoon, and cushions that protect the hull.

Leaving and coming alongside

Every harbour manoeuvre is briefed beforehand. Everyone knows which line they handle and where the fenders go.

• Go slowly: harbour speed is walking pace. What goes wrong slowly can be fixed.
• Read wind and current: approach against them where possible, they act as brakes.
• In the Mediterranean you usually moor stern-to. A laid mooring line holds the bow, two stern lines hold the back.
• Don't jump ashore with a line. Hand it over or drop it over the bollard from the boat.

Anchoring

• Choose the spot with chart and pilot book: good holding (sand, mud), shelter from the expected wind, room to swing.
• Chain: at least three to five times the depth of water, more when it blows.
• Dig the anchor in by going astern slowly, then check with engine power that it holds.
• Take bearings on two landmarks or set the anchor alarm on the plotter.

Reefing

Reefing means reducing sail area. The old rule holds: the first time you think about reefing, it's time. An early reef makes the boat calmer and faster, a late one is dangerous.

Person overboard

1. Shout loudly: "Man overboard!"
2. Throw a lifebuoy or horseshoe buoy straight away.
3. One person keeps pointing at the person in the water, without a break.
4. Press the MOB button on the plotter to store the position.
5. Return with a practised manoeuvre and recover the person on the leeward side.
6. Send a distress call if recovery does not succeed at once.

Routine on board

Before every departure: weather forecast, engine (oil, cooling water), fuel and water, life jackets to hand, hatches closed, everything loose stowed away. On longer passages, watches are set.