Engines stop. Weather turns. Someone gets hurt.
None of it is common. All of it is possible. All of it is manageable if you have thought about it once, calmly, when nothing was wrong.
The skipper who has already imagined the problem solves it faster than the skipper who hasn't.
Engine Failure
Fuel, air, spark, cooling. That's the checklist, in that order.
In the meantime — anchor if you can, drift clear of hazards, call for help early rather than late.
Weather Turning
Slow down. Reduce windage. Head for the nearest safe shelter, not the planned destination.
Brief the crew. Life jackets on. Everyone low and holding. Egos ashore.
Grounding
Stop. Don't gun the engine. Check for damage. Work out whether the tide is rising or falling.
Sometimes the best plan is to wait. Sometimes it's to kedge off gently. Never panic.
Medical on Board
A basic first-aid kit, a working VHF and one person on board with first-aid training solves most situations.
Call early. Marine rescue would rather stand down than arrive late.
Decision-Making Under Pressure
Stop. Breathe. Say what you know out loud. Say what you don't. Choose the next small step.
You will rarely regret slowing down. You will often regret rushing.
- Do you know the steps to diagnose an engine that has stopped?
- Do you have a working VHF and know the local channels?
- Is your first-aid kit current and accessible?
- Does someone else on board know how to call for help?
- Have you rehearsed a 'man overboard' recovery?
- Problems are rare but predictable — think about them first.
- Call for help early, not late.
- Slow down, breathe, and choose the next small step.
- Preparation turns emergencies into inconveniences.