MORE ON CAPSIZING

What a splendid collection of contributions to the capsizing debate in the Spring Bulletin, and most of them treating the subject in a commendably moderate and thoughtful way. I think John Cannon is right - the two views are complimentary. But, short of going out and doing it in cruising conditions, I believe that we can learn most from the real life accounts of incidents as these happen by surprise, in boats loaded with gear, far from help; and I thank those members who have included such accounts. But, of course, organised events also make a valuable contribution to our knowledge of the subject.

I had thought of the analogy of motoring like Dave Jennings, but had read it quite differently. When we learn to drive (sail) we are taught to slow down (reef) when approaching a corner (when the wind increases) to avoid running off the road (capsizing). In case we have an accident we wear seat-belts (personal buoyancy) to minimize the risk of injury (drowning), and if conditions on the road are too bad (the wind is too strong or sea too rough) we do not go out. And this remains the crux of my position on the issue - LEARN NOT TO DO IT.

Peter Small's East Coast Capsize Rally was a well thought out event, and although of moderate success, the next event could well be better attended; but I must emphatically contradict him on his approach to the subject which is framed in immoderate language. The capsize issue is NOT of paramount importance to all small boat sailors (nor is safety in general) - if it was, we would none of us go to sea at all. The analogy between capsizing in sailing and patient collapse in medicine is not a valid one. This dinghy cruising is our hobby or sport or whatever you call it - we do it because we enjoy it, and we do it on our own without endangering the lives of others, unlike flying or motoring for example. I cannot accept that it is poor seamanship and inviting disaster not to practise capsizing frequently and at regular intervals - it is surely far better seamanship not to capsize.

Reading the Bulletin over the years shows that the DCA has certainly not ignored the subject, but has given it much coverage from all points of view. I believe that, if questioned, very few of our DCA members have capsized their boats while cruising (although they may have done so when learning or racing), and as far as I know there have been no fatalities in more than 45 years. So let the members vote with their presence or absence from the next such rally without the strident language and emotive outbursts, or recriminations if they don't come. Then let us non-capsizers and capsizers sail together in quiet accord and drink the beer of conciliation at our traditional DCA meeting places.

Aidan de la Mare