Question 1

The skipper is hypothermic and confused but breathing normally. You are 45nm from Cherbourg (nearest port). Do you divert immediately or carry on to your destination 80nm away?

Accepted Answer

Divert immediately to Cherbourg — a hypothermic confused casualty can deteriorate to unconsciousness without warning; medical assessment is required as soon as possible The casualty's current state (confused, hypothermic) means their condition is unstable. Nearest port first. Medical advice via Ch 16 en route. Solo sailing a 38ft yacht 80nm in Force 5 at night with an incapacitated skipper is high risk to the solo sailor too. Update the Coastguard with your intentions, new destination, and ETA — they will track you.

Question 2

It is 0200 hrs. You are alone on watch, Beaufort 5, 2m swell. You hear a splash and the tether clip sounds behind you. The skipper is no longer at the helm. What is your FIRST action?

Accepted Answer

Shout "MAN OVERBOARD!", throw the horseshoe lifebuoy and danbuoy overboard immediately, and press the GPS MOB button The first 30 seconds are critical. Throw the lifebuoy to the casualty AND mark the position (GPS MOB) simultaneously. Then shout to wake the rest of the crew. In Force 5 at night you will lose a person in the water in under 60 seconds visually — equipment in the water first, radio later. The fatal error here is going below first.

Question 3

You have thrown the lifebuoy. You can just see the skipper's lifejacket light in the water. The danbuoy has not inflated. What do you do while manoeuvring?

Accepted Answer

Fix your eyes on the casualty's light and do NOT look away — point one arm at them continuously, even as you steer The pointer role is the single most important action after the initial response. Once you look away you will very likely lose the person in the dark and swell. The GPS MOB marks where they went in, NOT where the current has taken them. Visual contact takes absolute priority — even at the cost of sail trim.