Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron to host “Suddenly Alone” course

Apr 25, 2017

Suddenly Alone

Back in the last century my wife and I were on our boat in Charleston SC, where we met another couple on their 50ft wooden ketch. The husband was all bandaged up and when we enquired about it, they had quite a tail to tell. While sailing north from Florida, well offshore, the skipper slipped and fell hard onto the helm, doing himself considerable internal damage. With her husband unable to move and in considerable pain, his wife had to take over and sail the boat to safety in Charleston, where he was rushed to emergency. I should mention the wife was about 100 lbs and they had a baby onboard. Thankfully for them all she had enough knowledge to take over the boat and handle the emergency even though she was new to sailing. GC

The mission of SUDDENLY ALONE (a Cruising Club of America Programme) is to provide shorthanded crew members the tools and knowledge that will enable them to handle emergencies.

Topics include: Introduction and Psychology of SUDDENLY ALONE, Stabilising the Situation, Communicating a Request for Assistance, Navigating to a Safe Haven, and Recovery of an Overboard Person.

This course is being offered by the Bras D’Or Station of the Cruising Club of America and facilitated by Judy Robertson. Space is limited so this is a first come-first serve event. Please RSVP to armdalecove@gmail.com to reserve your spot. Couples are encouraged to attend together, even if one partner is very experienced.

More than 1800 people across North America have attended this seminar for cruisers. Positive reviews in Soundings, Cruising World, Blue Water Sailing, and other yachting magazines.

The 1 1/2 Day Event will be held May 5-6 at the RNSYS, Saraguay House, 360 Purcell’s Cove Road, Halifax.

The cost is $125 per person or $200 per couples and includes instruction, demonstrations, lunch, and book.