This list started when a CCA member tried to identify what changes he had to make to his boat when he started cruising with just himself and his wife. Others have added too, and this may give you a great starting point for your list!

Minimum skills crew should have for cruising safely.  

If your shorthanded crew does not have these skills, think about how these tasks will be accomplished, and consider enrolling in a course to build these skills.

1.Can they stop the boat?

2.Can they lower the sails?

3.Can they steer a compass course?

To be safe, all harnesses, whether integral with a PFD or not, should fit properly.

This may be an issue if you are smaller than average, as noted below.

Last weekend [October 2015], I was asked to take part in US Sailing’s National Faculty during their annual meeting. My goal was to create a “unit” in US Sailing’s Safety at Sea Course on Crew Overboard, and this required that I come up with a plan on how to explain this challenging seamanship problem to sailors of all backgrounds.

A well-equipped, centrally located damage control kit together with a damage control plan are important to a safe voyage.  

Ah, New Year’s Resolutions. So easily conceived, so quickly neglected! Lose 20 pounds, get regular exercise, reduce intake of saturated fat, and cut out that last glass of wine in the evening: we’re very good at making promises to ourselves, and then allowing them to fall by the wayside as the weeks of the new year speed by.

No one wants to spend money foolishly, and no one wants to be subjected to unnecessary risks. How do you figure out how to spend your safety dollars efficiently to minimize the risks associated with going to sea in sailboats? Risk analysis generally boils down to the likelihood of something bad happening, the cost incurred when it does happen, and the expense of avoiding the problem in the first place.

A fire aboard a vessel is very scary.  With an uncontrolled blaze, there is nowhere to go except into the water or a life raft. A boat fire spreads very rapidly.  You must attack it immediately and effectively; otherwise you will deplete your extinguishing resources before you put it out.