Heavy Weather

A 1977 album by jazz group Weather Report?

A 1933 novel by P.G. Wodehouse? Stormy Conditions, rough seas, high

winds? Song on Jarvis Cocker’s debut solo

album? All of the above?

Heavy Air Boat may need adjustment Course can be maintained

Heavy Weather Crew must take evasive action for safety Conditions dictate the action

Circumnavigators experience Gale Force conditions < 1% of the time

Rogue Waves can occur where even a single wave can be

much higher than average wave height (even 2x)

Cruising vs Racing When cruising, the purpose is to make a smart

seamanlike passage with the minimum of wear and tear on the ship and the crew K Adlard Coles

Combination of Conditions Wind Conditions Rough, Confused Sea Large Waves Breaking Waves Sudden Wind Shifts Rain / Spray / Snow / Reduced Visibility Other Nasty Weather Conditions

Near Gale (Force 7) Avg Wind Velocity 28- 33 knots Avg Wave Heights 13.5– 19feet

Gale (Force 8) Avg Wind Velocity 34 - 40 knots Avg Wave Heights 18 – 25 feet

Strong Gale (Force 9) Avg Wind Velocity 41- 47 knots Avg Wave Heights 23– 32 feet

Max wave heights may be 2x Avg Gusts may be much higher Lower force might be considered Heavy Weather

Pay Attention to the Weather Wait for weather window for passage Know what’s headed your way

Know What to Expect Locally Atlas of Pilot Charts / Local Publications▪ Average windspeed, directions and wave

heights for time of year

Tides & Currents in Area

Make galley shipshape Utensils & provisions

Stow all articles in Nav StationCheck the bilge pump is clearCheck floorboards, lockers, fridgeEnsure batteries are locked downHave quick, high energy food and

drink readily available.Put up leecloths on bunks

Chart current position Make current log entry Note barometer reading Note sea room

Take seasickness meds 1 hour before Remind crew of location of flares, fire

extinguishers, flares etc. Prepare flashlights Check ditch bag Don foul weather gear Don PFD and safety harness Keep eating and drinking

Hoist / Check Radar Reflector Stow or lash everything loose properly

Any thing that can move will move Tools, Winch Handles, Bimini, jerry cans Poles etc

Check Dinghy Lashing Check Jacklines Shut all hatches Ventilators to leeward Close Engine Vents Plug Hawse pipe Lash Anchor Make sure fog horn is accessible

Close fuel cocks Check cockpit lockers Check cockpit drains are open Close all seacocks Prepare stormsails for use Consider closing companionway hatch Prepare warps for streaming Prepare drogues / sea anchor Check manual bilge pump / bailer

Reduce SailEmploy Tactics Early OnGolden Rules (Beth Leonard)

Avoid Breaking Waves Avoid taking seas beam-on▪ Either bow-to or stern-to is better▪ Balance boat for wind angle

Prepare a variety of Tactics Avoid Fatigue

Mainsails Reefs in Main Roller Reefing in Mast Roller Reefing in Boom Separate track in mast for storm trysail

Headsails Storm Jib Roller Reefing Jib (as opposed to furling)

Foresails Storm staysail on (demountable?) forestay High cut to avoid deck wash

Mizzen Sails ?

Heaving – To – slick of calm to windward Reef main for conditions Backwind jib sized 80-100% of fore-triangle Helm lashed to head to 40-60 deg off apparent wind Balance to make only leeway (~ 1-3knots)

Forereaching Heave-to equivalent for multi-hull or modern fin keel monohull main with 1 extra reef, or trysail in high wind Helm lashed close-hauled Find balance on helm to make slow jogs back and forth to wind Slow headway towards destination

With large waves heave-to / forereaching may need to be reconsidered as bow gets pushed off wind leaving yacht beam-to the wave train.

Lying Ahull – slick to windward Beam-to waves helm lashed to tend bow

up to wind Bare Poles Cats only! Not for single hulls as they could roll

Scudding / Running Bare Poles or stabilizing flat staysail helps keep stern

into the wind Need to reduce speed if yacht starts

surfing▪ Trailing Warps▪ Sea Anchors▪ Drogues

Practice Makes Perfect Need to select appropriate tactics and

practice deploying them

“Whatever decision you may make, if you get into trouble, you may be sure that someone who was not there will come up with something you should have done.” John F. Wison, ‘Heavy Weather Guide’

The Voyageur’s Handbook – Beth Leonard

The International Marine Book of Sailing – Robby Robinson

Heavy Weather Sailing – K. Adlard Coles

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