I was very moved when I read the farewell letter by David Weinstock in the DCA Journal, Winter Issue 165. I recognise the voice of a keen sailor dedicated to encouraging safe and enjoyable sailing for all. I understand the disappointment that he felt when dealing with those who frustrate attempts to instigate good, modern seamanship.

David's concern centres upon the 'capsize issue', which is of paramount importance to all small boat sailors and should not be ignored. A recent capsize disaster during the UK Wayfarer Associations Round the Isle of Wight Passage Race has highlighted this. (A full report of this near tragedy is available on-line at HYPERLINK "http://www.imagic.demon.co.uk/openboat/capsize.html" http://www.imagic.demon.co.uk/openboat/capsize.html or send an A4 sized SAE with 40 pence stamps to Richard Goodrich, 5 Newton Road, Isleworth, Middlesex TW7 6QD.)

There is an analogy between capsizes in sailing and patient collapse in medicine, both of which can be fatal. All patients expect their medical care team to be proficient in resuscitation. Such proficiency requires up to date training at frequent, regular intervals. Anything else is negligent malpractice. All sailors expect a small boat skipper to be proficient in coping with a capsize. Such proficiency requires up to date training of the whole crew at frequent, regular intervals. Anything else is poor seamanship and inviting disaster.

I believe the DCA would be contributing greatly to water safety if it were to encourage and facilitate capsize training in members’ own boats. I am the East Coast Regional Secretary, and I now feel it is my duty to help. I am willing to organise a new sort of social sailing rally - the 'Annual DCA East Coast Capsize Rally'. I foresee the following possible requirements:

A safe, accessible, sheltered stretch of water DCA participants and their own boats A competently manned safety boat Someone to brief participants, on the 'Tell-Show-Do' principle Somewhere to brief participants Someone competent to supervise righting a capsize on the water Nearby facilities for toilets and hot showers Nearby facilities for hot food, drink and a debrief /natter Warm weather