The Dangers of the Sea

During the past week, the Pacific has proved contrary to her name. The wind has been blowing between 20 and 30 knots with 10 to 12 foot waves in what would be classified as a 7 on the Beaufort scale and technically known as a “near gale.” Audentes has performed admirably in these conditions and we have been rocketing along towards the Marquesas at speeds generally ranging from 7 to 8 knots per hour. As a result, we now stand about 800 miles from our destination. Since the past week has been mercifully uneventful, this week’s journal is dedicated to describing some of the more interesting sailing stories that I have heard in various ports.

One of the most common misconceptions about cruising is that sailing is fraught with danger. Whenever sailing is shown on television or in movies, the plot usually involves bad weather, pirates, or some freak accident far from help. Based on these dramatic portrayals of life at sea, one would think that it is minor miracle that a cruiser is able to survive a day on the treacherous ocean. In reality, sailing is extremely safe as long as a little common sense is applied and the necessary precautions are taken. However, not wishing to detract from the perceived risk of sailing and in an ongoing effort to entertain the readership, I have below listed some of the dangers that face sailors. It should be noted that I have never been in one of these situations, but that I have heard all of these stories directly from the person involved.

Whale – A family sailing in the Pacific Ocean was in the middle of a passage when a whale surfaced during a night watch. The friendly whale was unaware of the sailboat’s presence and, upon noticing the vessel, the surprised whale quickly dove. In the process, the tail of the whale slapped across the deck of the boat, ripping the mainsail and damaging the rigging. Fortunately, the impact of the tail was in the middle of the boat instead of in the cockpit, where the helmsman could have been crushed.

Sharks – I have not actually heard of any sailors being bitten by sharks while in the water or even of having been rammed by killer sharks as near-death documentaries would lead us to believe is commonplace. The only shark-related incident with which I am familiar is when a sailor was fishing and accidentally caught a small shark. While pulling it aboard, the shark took a nip at the sailor and bit the fisherman’s arm.

Bugs – While fumigating a boat in the boatyard, one sailor made the mistake of lighting a match in the galley. The resulting explosion sent the man flying from his boat, resulting in a broken arm and leg.

Fishermen – Rumors abound of malicious fisherman cutting in front of sailboats to entangle the yachts in their fishing nets. In many South American countries, the laws are apparently strongly skewed in favor of the fishing boat and a substantial payment is required to pay for the damage caused to the fishing nets. Alternatively, I have also heard of a cruiser spending hours trying to avoid a persistent fisherman in Venezuela who kept cutting in front of the sailor. Finally, the sailor decided to continue forward on his course and realized that the friendly fisherman just wanted to wave hello and offer some of his catch for sale.

Coast Guard – Many cruisers fear an encounter with the U.S. Coast Guard more than an encounter with pirates. It is said that the Coast Guard will board a boat and tear the boat apart looking for drugs. After failing to find anything, the Coasties simply depart, leaving the boat in disarray. The only firsthand account that I have of an encounter with the Coast Guard described them as polite and thorough. The U.S. Coast Guard vessel patrolling Caribbean waters boarded a US flagged vessel and proceeded to take a sample swab from each room on the boat. After returning to the mother ship to test the swabs, the officers came back to further investigate the rooms that tested positive. Apparently, the test is so sensitive as to detect traces of marijuana on clothes that may have been worn at a market where pot smoke was present. After failing to find any illegal drugs, the Coast Guard politely left, although they did issue fines for expired flares.

Drug Runners – The only interaction that I know of between sailors and drug runners has been the result of sailboats encountering speed boats that have run out of fuel. In one case, a boat without any covering from the sun was floating fifty miles from shore. Lacking any food or water and without a functioning engine, the prospects for the boat looked bleak. When the sailboat neared to check on the situation, the desperate men made a mad swim for the sailboat. The cruisers offered to call the Coast Guard to tow the boat to safety, but the men declined and came clean that they were running drugs. The sailors provided fuel and the drug runners happily returned safely to land. The name of the speed boat was “Powder King.”

Hurricane Looters – Following a devastating hurricane in Grenada, lawlessness and anarchy prevailed on the island for three days. With nearly all of the sailboats badly damaged and washed up on the beach, looters freely helped themselves to anything that could be pried from the boats. Cruisers were forced to watch as most of their possessions were stolen in their presence. Some sailors went catatonic, some resorted to drink, and reportedly one sailor got angry and took action. Having served time in the military, he had the training and the will to use deadly force to protect his family and their possesions. I am not able to verify exactly what happened during those three days of lawlessness, but his sailboat was one of the very few not effected by the looting.

Hurricane Damage – Also following the hurricane in Grenada, a group of maimed boats that could still float decided to attempt a passage south to Trinidad, where there were functioning boatyards and the services necessary to repair the hurricane damaged vessels. This group of nine boats limped southward across 90 miles of difficult overnight sailing to safely arrive in Trinidad. Many of these boats were taking on water at an alarming rate and a simple failure as basic as the bilge pump motor burning out would have resulted in the boat being lost in the middle of the deep channel. Every boat kept their dinghy readily available and maintained radio contact in case one boat required emergency assistance. Fortunately, all of the boats made the trip safely.

In the boatyard – One of the most common dangers of sailing occurs while the boat is out of the water. I have heard of several cases of sailors falling off their boats while dry-docked and breaking an arm or leg as a result of the roughly 12-foot fall onto the hard ground. Maybe it is that the cruisers have failed to lose their sea legs and cannot adjust to the lack of motion. Perhaps it is due to the frequent trips carrying tools and parts up and down the ladder to board the boat that increases the chance of falling. Whatever the reason, there seem to be at least as many injuries while in the boatyard as there are when boats are in the water.

Taxi – In Colon, Panama, at least one cruiser was badly taken advantage of by a taxi driver. Since the streets are unsafe for gringos, the sailor hopped in a cab bound for the bus station. The regular fare for this one mile ride is $1. However, the sailor failed to ask the price in advance and was informed upon reaching his destination that the fare would cost $75. Outraged, the man refused to pay. The cabbie took the irate sailor to the police station and, after hearing both sides of the story, the policia sided with the cab driver. The man was forced to pay the ridiculous amount. The lesson here is to always ask for the price in advance. Also, that Colon is a hole.

At anchor – One morning, while safely at anchor, the boat of a friend was brutally rammed by another sailboat. Apparently, the other boat had only intended to run their engine to charge their batteries, but had somehow placed the boat in gear. Shockingly, these half-wits failed to realize that their boat was moving. Strangely, the anchor was raised when the unwitting boat struck the boat at anchor, suggesting that prior to ramming the anchored boat and instead of steering to avoid a collision, the out-of-control boat inexplicably took the time to raise the anchor. These are just a few of the many interesting and bizarre stories that I have heard over the past two years of sailing. One of the attractions of sailing is the ever-changing environment. However, with each new experience, the chances of strange and, often, negative occurrences increases. As Thomas Fuller, M.D. said, “He that will not sail till all dangers are over must never put to sea.”

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