FYC CIH Port Captain Newsletter Article Jun 11, 2022
 

CIH May Performance/Highlights:

• 32 training/instructing occurrences
• 112 training hours

Here are the folks who were a part of another great month of training in CIH:

• Phil Barbaro
• Daniel Beck
• Bob Chatenever
• Michael Crist
• Michael Delaney
• Tom Dotz
• Michael Hallahan
• Bobby Haynes
• Kelley Henaghan
• Scott Kelly
• Eric Morrow
• Marilyn Usher
• Mal Usher
• Mark Watkins

 
Our workday training schedule was this year’s best, with 11 boats on the water and 22 trainees accommodated in really nice sailing conditions.  With so many trainers and instructors stepping up, as well as giving advance notice of their availability, it really took a lot of pressure off me in setting up the schedule.  When a trainee contacts me in order to book a workday afternoon session, it’s great to let them know right away that I have them on a boat!  Also, I appreciate the patience of everyone when conditions are questionable. I can be quite the optimist in regard to conditions so, unless it’s obvious, I’ll wait until our noon meet-up to make a “Go” or “No Go” decision.  However, borderline conditions can change quickly, so a “Go” decision in no way pre-empts a skipper’s decision on whether to take a boat out or leave the harbor.
 
Note that the June workday falls on Father’s Day.  Depending on responses for training, there may be boats available for an afternoon sail for Dads and their kids.  Anyone wanting to celebrate the day in this regard should contact me the week prior to the workday.
 
Also note that I am working on a more detailed training list on each boat  to supplement the Boat Training and Qualification Form. This will ensure that each trainee is instructed on all aspects of boat handling and boat systems.  In preparation for this change, I am working with Mike Delaney in producing a training video of every medium and large boat, covering systems that are specific to each boat.  Once we have these videos in place, we will implement the new checklists. 

I was recently a skipper on Sweet Deal for a CIWSA (Channel Islands Women’s Sailing Association) day sail with three crew onboard. Since there was a Small Craft Advisory we sailed only in the harbor and kept behind the breakwater. In the harbor, we put up the main, unfurled the jib, and sailed up the channel towards the break water. for a CIWSA (Channel Islands Women’s Sailing Association) day sail with three crew onboard. Since there was a red flag warning Small Craft Advisory, we sailed only in the harbor and kept behind the breakwater. In Sweet DealI was recently a skipper on

Sailing out of the channel towards the north (west) entrance of the harbor, I was just saying to the crew that I did not normally use this exit because of the sand. I saw another boat anchored closer to the beach than us but suddenly felt the boat grounding on the sand. Using the outboard motor, we managed to get the boat off the sand. But, the rudder became detached from the boat. Without the rudder, we tried to steer the boat using the outboard but were unsuccessful. We had furled the jib sheet, but the main was still up.

I radioed Channel Islands Harbor Patrol for help, and they came and towed us in to our slip. Once in the slip, we were able to reattach the rudder which we had hauled into the boat when it became dislodged. No one was injured, and there was no damage to the boat. All crew remained calm and helped when needed. In particular Patricia Nazario did a great job on the outboard keeping us away from the rocks. 

Upon our return, we filed an incident report as per the Fairwind Yacht Club Standing Rules.
 

Lessons learned:

• Always make sure there is a radio on the boat. Sweet Deal does not have a radio on board so bring a handheld.
• Be aware of the sand /tide levels when using the west exit/entrance to the CI harbor
• If you become grounded in sand, try to steer off the sand using the outboard motor. Take down both jib and main sail.

At FYC, we spend a lot of time running drills, practicing skills, and building our confidence on the water with very accomplished sailors. Those hours of training paid off for Tina and Patricia in the few minutes where the only thing that mattered was keeping Sweet Deal off the rocks, and keeping the crew safe. Take advantage of what FYC club has to offer, let's continue learning from one another, and making the water a safer place to be.

Thank you,
Tina, Patricia, and Bill  

While there are different methods of man overboard (COB) recovery, the Figure Eight method is one of the procedures described in the ASA 101 textbook Sailing Made Easy, and one that allows trainees to employ past lessons in a practical scenario.  One has to know the wind direction, points of sail, tacking, heading down, and heading up.  For some, it may be the first experience with a controlled approach, as well as giving commands to the crew that are in addition to those associated with boat maneuvers.
 
This is less an article on how to perform the Figure Eight MOB method, but more of review of the common pitfalls I have observed consistently, and ways to either avoid them or counter them. Moreover, it is written to the perspective of the new sailor, who’s perception of wind direction and the MOB position respective to it will not yet be second nature.
 
Instructors and trainers will typically throw a type IV floatation device overboard to simulate the MOB, and this could be on any point of sail.  After announcing the MOB condition, throwing a type IV to the victim (simulated for training), and assigning a spotter to keep visual contact with the MOB, the trainee brings the boat to a beam reach point of sail (Read on).

Members from both harbors gathered in Marina del Rey to set sail for a Memorial Weekend to Emerald Bay located about two nautical miles northwest of Two Harbors on the west end of Catalina Island.  For the first time, cruisers were invited to participate in an adult camp experience hosted by Emerald Bay Outdoor Academy at this historic Boy Scout camp.

Fairwinders who sign up for club cruises are an adventurous group as they are willing to go with people they do not know to share a sailing experience and come back with new sailing friends and wonderful memories of the island.  It was a special treat to dine together as a group beginning with Friday night's dinner through Sunday's lunch.  Activities afforded by the camp included an archery and BB gun range, kayaks, SUP, hiking and more.  It was easy for people to plan activities with one another at one of the shared meals.  Nearby Parson's Landing was a favorite hiking destination via the steep coastal trail, or the the less rugged option uphill from the campground to join the Trans-Catalina trail.  For those up for a longer hike, some made the 6.6 mile trek to Two Harbors.

Saturday night's Beach Tie Gala unexpectedly showcased Fairwind's own Kate Bradbury who performed a graceful dance while twirling a double-ended fire stick.  Check out the video to see Kate's impromptu performance and photos from our FYC MdR club cruise to Catalina's jewel at Emerald Bay. 

In California, each year a new age group is added to boaters who are required to have a valid card. For 2021, the law requires everyone 40 years old or younger to have a card. By 2025, everybody on the water will be required to have one. Once issued, the card remains valid for life.