From The Annapolis Book of Seamanship

Here are accounts of two successful rescue efforts in the stormy 2011 Chicago to Mackinac Race.  Each rescuing crew was awarded an Arthur B. Hanson Rescue Medal by U.S. Sailing.

A collection of a few tips from the acknowledged masters of sailing

Anticipation

“A seaman laboring under an undue sense of security becomes at once worth hardly half his salt.” (Joseph Conrad, The Mirror of the Sea)

“The rule of the 6 Ps: Proper prior preparation prevents piss-poor results.”    (John Bonds quoting a Navy bosun)

From The Annapolis Book of Seamanship

The Bermuda Race’s medical chair (a race skipper) describes the causes, prevention, and treatment of this all-too-common and potentially dangerous condition.

Adapted from the foreword to the 4th edition, The Annapolis Book of Seamanship,

CCA Member John Jourdane sailed the 2008 Hobart Race on the Spencer 65, Ragtime.   He witnessed a successful rescue of all the crew off a sinking boat. The following is from John’s journal.: 

This list of tools and spares is intended to be a minimum guide to tools and spares that might be helpful in routine maintenance at sea or effecting emergency repairs when outside assistance is not available.

You're cruising with friends on inshore waters and are suddenly confronted with what has become known as “severe weather”, usually a line of discrete cells, any one of which is capable of producing straight line winds over 50 knots.  The cells we are talking about here will be visible in advance as black menacing clouds, usually coming from the west or southwest, giving enough lead time to undertake the suggestions below. It is assumed that not all of the… Read more

You have been reaching along fast and you step below after a great watch on deck, and splash, your foot goes up to the ankle in water in your boat.  Oops, no one wants this scenario.  Like many other emergencies, water in the boat can be minimized by proper preparation and good habits.