The Mariner

Today, we're diving into the Marine Accident Investigation Bureau's (MAIB) report on the 2006 Roaring Meg of Cowes incident, where two crew were seriously injured in two crash gybes that happened within minutes of each other.

I'll be sharing insights as a professional sailor, examining what went wrong and the crucial lessons we can learn. 

If you would like to join me for more deep dives on topic's like: MOB recovery, heavy weather...

Join us in this episode as we delve into the nuanced art of headsail trimming, guided by the wisdom of Captain W.H. Illingworth's 'Offshore' (1948).

We explore often overlooked aspects of headsail trim, including car positioning, halyard tension, forestay sag and more.

Discover how these techniques can optimize your performance and elevate your sailing experience.

If you would like to join me for many more deep dives on topic's l...

Spinnaker poles have three bits of rigging holding them in place we all know that, but it often comes as a shock when sailors realize they have been missing the third (and arguably the most important) piece of rigging on their main boom.

Preventers save lives- it's just that simple. Please take time to listen to this podcast and update your knowledge on preventers and check out the Mariner Youtube channel for even more tips and det...

This episode we learn key elements the skipper of a vessel in heavy weather should keep in mind, to keep his vessel sound & her crew safe. Capt. Illingworth was a submarine commander in WWII as well as a racing skipper, and therefore had a better measure than most as to the thoughts uppermost in a skipper's mind in heavy conditions.

I hope my communication of his ideas into this new medium does not distract too much from his me...

I started this series of Advanced Seamanship Notes (Episodes 115-117) to bring to light specific areas of sailing knowledge which are A. difficult to locate in sailing resources on-line or off, and B. provided by a Mariner who is recognizably a 'Master' - in the true sense of the word. 

Captain J H Illingworth was considered the 'father of offshore sailing & racing' in postwar Britain. He started the Junior Offshore Group in th...

I started this series of Advanced Seamanship Notes (Episodes 115-117) to bring to light specific areas of sailing knowledge which are A. difficult to locate in sailing resources on-line or off, and B. provided by a Mariner who is recognizably a 'Master' - in the true sense of the word. 

Captain J H Illingworth was considered the 'father of offshore sailing & racing' in postwar Britain. He started the Junior Offshore Group in th...

I started this series of Advanced Seamanship Notes (Episodes 115-117) to bring to light specific areas of sailing knowledge which are A. difficult to locate in sailing resources on-line or off, and B. provided by a Mariner who is recognizably a 'Master' - in the true sense of the word. 

Captain J H Illingworth was considered the 'father of offshore sailing & racing' in postwar Britain. He started the Junior Offshore Group in th...

L is for many things at sea, but as always, I wanted to find something that would make us stop & think maybe and see things afloat from a new angle.

This episode gives us the opportunity to discuss things as divergent as structural delamination and emotional overload, excessive crankcase oil pressure and fighting complacency as we get more experienced.  L is for Leaks and boy are there a lot! 

To support the production of this ...

Another Questions and Tangents Episode, this time we look at emails sent regarding, PTSD and shouting, sea sickness & the function of the ear, buying old race boats (and the fun they can be!) and much more. PLUS loads of me rambling on.....

To support the production of this material please consider heading over to Patreon. where for $5 a month you can get access to more audio books, videos and discussion.

Edward William Insur...

Marine insurance is a massive heartache for many sailors who are doing slightly 'non-standard' things in sailing, whether it is crossing oceans, sailing solo or cruising with your family- often times it is very difficult to get a policy that will cover you.  I have faced this problem for years- this episode I discuss who I am now insured with and why and read the answers to questions I submitted to the Chief Operating Officer of my...

Sometimes we get the opportunity to sit at the hand of the master and hear first hand what is the best way to do something.

This is the third part of one of those moments. 

This episode I read the last section of the Appendix of Capt. Voss' book 'Venturesome Voyages' and if that leaves you feeling a little less than interested, don't worry, it's just because you don't' know who Capt. Voss is.

I've got you covered on that too.

If yo...

Sometimes we get the opportunity to sit at the hand of the master and hear first hand what is the best way to do something.

This is the second part of one of those moments. 

This episode I read the second section of the Appendix of Capt. Voss' book 'Venturesome Voyages' and if that leaves you feeling a little less than interested, don't worry, it's just because you don't' know who Capt. Voss is.

I've got you covered on that too.

If...

Sometimes we get the opportunity to sit at the hand of the master and hear first hand what is the best way to do something.

This is one of those moments. 

This episode I read the Appendix of Capt. Voss' book 'Venturesome Voyages' and if that leaves you feeling a little less than interested, don't worry, it's just because you don't' know who Capt. Voss is.

I've got you covered on that too.

If you would like to listen to fantastic st...

Questions and Tangents #14 and this episode we continue down the rabbit hole regarding buying a used race boat.

Recap

Last time we discussed this I said, 'Don't do it - unless you REALLY want/ need to do it.'

But as you did it anyway... (which I knew you would...)

This time I'm saying- 'Since you can't take simple advice-;) here's 2 further hours of things to bear in mind.'

I guess #3 (Owing a Race Boat Long Term) is coming soon......

So, after all your best efforts to prevent a Man Overboard Situation now your crew are in the water, and they are relying solely on you to not only come and find them; but also to do it in heavy seas, high winds and at night. 

Shit.

Let's explore the options when all hope appears lost, when only brute strength and the spark of ingenuity may be all you have to get the job done.

If you would like to listen to fantastic stories of s...

We've all done it, taken a quick nip onto the foredeck just do ' that thing' and suddenly we find ourselves realizing one wrong move and we are toast. 

This episode looks to try to reconcile that kind of risk-taking to the garbage can and promote instead a deep instinctual suspicion that the sea does not actually care about you, is in no way impressed or 'wow'd' by your skill set and will take every opportunity you give it, to wipe...

Today is the day of the solar eclipse across North America, the only one that will touch the continent until 2024 (when only three states will experience totality) therefore: Happy Solar Eclipse Day!

I thought I would put a few thoughts down relating to the historical and scientific history of solar eclipses to give you Dad's EVEN more to amaze and thrill your kids with.... as you always do.....

Once I push the button on this I am ...

Another Dogwatch, to relieve the anxiety I am starting to feel doing these safety at sea episodes back to back- my dreams have started to become very weird and threatening when i spend my days talking at length about everything that can or might go wrong at sea!

This time we discuss autopilots v's wine vane steering, boat deliveries out of West Coast US cities and the complications therein and why top notch race boats have curved t...

Losing the mast, rudder or even a single hatch cover at sea in heavy weather can be catastrophic, unless you have been playing the 'what if' game for a while and already have the equipment, procedures and mental capacity developed to deal with the problem, concisely & precisely.

If you would like to listen to fantastic stories of sailors in small vessels taking on the ocean in the last 150 years, all selected & read by Chri...