Feet
Sea boots are much better when they are long rather than short, wellingtons are for working in the garden and trainers are fine for light airs as long as you don’t mind getting your feet wet. Wetsuit boots are a good economy choice or look at Musto or Dubarry if you feel flush and posey, but what just won't do whilst racing are bare feet as there’s just too much to bash your pinkies on. Busting a toe will get you zero sympathy and isn't a reason to retire from a race. You have been warned.
Fire
Fire scares me a whole lot more than the weather. Fire aboard Barda is likely to come from either a cock up with the stove/gas, an engine problem or an electrical fault (it can’t come from smoking as this only ever happens up on deck).
GAS: if you can smell gas or suspect that the gas has been left on for any length of time then immediately turn off the gas at the cylinder and tell everybody. We can then sniff the bilges and ventilate any residue. The gas is heavier than air and will fall to the bilges, so don’t use any switches, even to turn them off as this may generate a spark that could ignite the gas and really ruin our day.
ENGINE: If you suspect an engine fire and you can safely get to the Engine Stop without risk then use it. If you can also get to the diesel tap in the fore cabin without risk then do so and turn off the fuel. There is a fire extinguisher in the rack above the engine which can be discharged into the engine compartment through a hole behind a small removable cap on the aft face of the engine cover. Do not open the engine cover to see what’s going on until trying to extinguish through the hole as this may make the fire much worse.
ELECTRICAL: If you can smell wires burning then turn off the main power switch which is the rotary knob on the forward face of the engine compartment - to turn it off push in the lock tab and twist to NONE.
There is a fire blanket by the galley and a further fire extinguisher located on the shelf above the cooker. There is also a fire extinguisher in the forward cabin and another in the aft cabin. If there is a fire we are likely to be faced with clouds of acrid smoke which will quickly make the cabin uninhabitable so get out and don’t take risks. On your way out make sure the grab bag and EPIRB comes on deck so we can use the handheld radio etc. and if we aren’t wearing them then the lifejacket bag also has to come up to help us float if we take to the water.
Make sure you know where everything is - you may not be able to see when you need to grab them in a hurry. Most importantly try and be fire-aware. If you think something is a risk then sing out loud.
First Aid
There is a first aid kit in the rack on the forward saloon bulkhead (to the left of the mast down below). In addition to the usual stuff is a first aid guide and if you have a quiet moment it’s worth studying this. Also if you have any first aid training then please let me know. There are also paracetamol in here to fix those morning after pains - if you notice we are running low then please make a note in the maintenance book so I can replenish supplies).
Flags
Our racing flags are kept in the rearmost cubby alongside the port side saloon settee and are flown from the backstay. The Ensign and various other flag and pennants are also in here - please ask before hoisting anything.
Food and expenses
For day-racing in 2007 we’re going to run a kitty system to cover the pasties and chocolate that either myself or Jason shops for. There’s a kitty tin aboard and if you can drop in say £3 a race then that would be great. As always the tea, coffee, beer and bottled water is on me and if you feel peckish then get stuck in, but make sure you offer it around if you’re going below.
For away or offshore events we usually run a kitty to cover both provisioning and whatever we get up to ashore. What you won’t be charged for is anything to do with the boat. Race entries, berthing, insurance, fuel, repairs, sails, safety kit etc. is all provided by me.
However if you choose to sleep ashore rather than on the boat then you pick up your own accommodation tab and I also won't pay for taxis, cars, ferries etc. home if we have to leave the boat in say Eastbourne or France due to bad weather (but I will pay for them when we are going back to collect the boat later).
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