Sleeping at a Sea Anchor ??

[Sabbatical II]

I've seen on another thread a comment about a couple who "parked up" at night lying to a sea anchor while both went beddy byes. Does anyone really do this and what is the logic?

Greg

[Pete7]

I think on a long passage this may well happen far more than is admitted too despite being against the rules and a bad practise.

Suppose it really depends were you are. Middle of the N Atlantic? I would be tempted particularly if it had been rough and we just needed to get some rest and shortening sail right down wasn't working.

On top of a 5 foot deep bank in the Bahamas? why not.

In the middle of the English Channel, no chance! there is less traffic on a US highway during rush hour.

Pete

[Unicorn Dreams]

It sure would be a slow way to het anywhere. Long voyages will take twice as long.

It's not against any rules, just display not under command loghts.

[Hannah on 'Rita T']

I think it is against the Rules, even when not under command you have to keep a good watch. We may be more fussy than most, but we always keep a watch and that's why we are strict about changing watch at the set hour so no one gets over tired. I bend a little when I've had to call for help in the middle of a watch, then I'll let the captain sleep an extra half hour but that is it.

[Unicorn Dreams]

Although you should keep a prudent watch at all times, the C.F.R.s pertaining to watch keeping apply to commercial vessels.

[sailingaway221]

I have several friends who have done a lot of couple sailing.... as long as they are not in a busy shipping or sailing area and away from land... all four of them will heave too and sleep... they say if it has been busy at night or rough or if they are just worn ouit that it is far more dangerous to be awake and on deck. They also say two hours of solid sleep on a boat that isn't pitching and rolling as much is amazing....

Unicorn... I had a Coast Guard skipper tell me the same thing... no official " law or rules " for watch keeping on a cruising boat... but i have not been able to find that written anywhere... any idea where i would look? Or is it simply the CFRs addressing comercail boats only?

[Unicorn Dreams]

Don't remember exactly where, but it's been posted here chapter and verse many times.

,y opinion is a boat will roll more under sea anchor than sailing, not always, but usually.

[pierrrre]

"International Regulations for Preventing Collision at Sea"

Rule 1 (a):

"These Rules apply to all vessels upon the high seas and in all waters connected therewith navigable by seagoing vessel."

Definition of "vessel" under rule 3 (a):

" The word 'vessel' includes every description of water craft, including non-displacement craft and seaplanes, used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on water"

Rule 5

"Every vessel shall at all times maintain a proper look-out by sight and hearing as well as by all available means appropriate in the prevailing circumstances and conditions so as to make a full appraisal of the situation and of the risk of collision"


Please draw your own conclusion as to the legality of not having anybody on watch.

The fact that a vessel is commercial or pleasure is irrelevant on the sea, specially when the stem of another boat come "cruising" between the mast and the rudder stock of the one you just happen to be sleeping on.

BTW, the USA is signatory of this convention (COLREG Convention 72).

My two cents

[MarkJ]

I think thats more the days before autopilots.
If you're that tired all crew can go to sleep now, someone waking every 20 minutes.


In a violent storm with breaking waves where a parachute sea anchor is deployed then the boat sits riding head to wind. Theres nothing to do but go below and go to sleep.
And the ride is meant to be comfortable to do so.

[thinwater]

Originally Posted by Unicorn Dreams

It sure would be a slow way to het anywhere. Long voyages will take twice as long.

It's not against any rules, just display not under command loghts.

Incorrect. "The term “vessel not under command” means a vessel which through some exceptional circumstance is unable to manoeuvre as required by these Rules and is therefore unable to keep out of the way of another vessel."

Unless you have a broken rudder or something equivallent the vessel is under command. A sea anchor would not count unless (this is my interpretation) it was deploied in a serious storm and you could NOT simply cut it loose without great risk. In this case it is a bit like a broken rudder; you can't steer. Any thoughts on this?

[MarkJ]

A few of you guys need bigger boats.

How else can you fit all your rule books in.

Instead, go to sea and use your brain.



Mark

[pillum]

Originally Posted by MarkJ

A few of you guys need bigger boats.

How else can you fit all your rule books in.

Instead, go to sea and use your brain.



Mark

Hear Hear... Well said Mark.

[pierrrre]

Originally Posted by MarkJ

I think thats more the days before autopilots.
If you're that tired all crew can go to sleep now, someone waking every 20 minutes.

I do not want to argue with you MarkJ but auto pilots were around in 1972. Autopilots do not maintain look out by sight and hearing as the rules require. This convention is still in force and will be in force for many years to come. When collision happens when no one is on watch, port states did, do and will lay charges under the COLREG against the captain of the vessel.

As for the insurance companies, well...

[mikereed100]

In one of my previous lives I was a deckhand on a tuna boat. When offshore we would shut down and drift at night, leaving a xenon strobe light on with all hands asleep. Strictly against the rules (a flashing white light is a distress signal) but the whole fleet did it.

[rtbates]

With TWO crew it seems silly to throw away the one safeguard available, ie one can sleep while the other keeps watch.

For single handers it's a whole different ball game...

No sea anchor needed, heave to. Much easier and quicker to get back under way when you hear the strum of a huge diesel bearing down in the middle of the night...