Copyright © 2012 By Farrier Marine Page 28
FARRIER MARINE
weather, reefs early, and never sails on the limit with
family or unskilled crew on board, then a capsize is
extremely unlikely. A capsize is also less serious than a
sinking, where the boat can disappear completely.
But the possibility of capsize is always going to be a
factor, and should always be prepared for as follows.
SAFETY COMPARTMENT
- When sailing offshore
the following items should be stored in an underwing
safety compartment (acces-
sible from underneath if cap-
sized), with lanyards attached,
and in watertight bags:
❒
EPIRB unit
❒
Flares
❒
Cutting tools
❒
Extra wrenches
❒
General tools
❒
Bolt Cutters
❒
Spare Beam Bolt Wrench
❒
Ropes
❒
VHF Hand Held Radio
Crew will then have easy ac-
cess to critical safety and res-
cue equipment, without having
to dive for it.
RE-ENTRY HATCH
- If going
offshore, or involved in serious
coastal racing, then another es-
sential item is a re-entry hatch
to allow crew back inside the
boat, where shelter is available,
as well as the full array of stores. Such hatches should be
fitted just above the normal waterline, and best place is
usually under the cockpit area, or just forward on the main
cabin aft bulkhead.
INSIDE THE BOAT?
If caught inside a capsized multihull, there should be
plenty of air, the boat is not going to sink, and there is
usually no urgent need to get out. So take some time to
assess the situation, as it could actually be safer inside.
Surge is the major enemy, and the first priority should
be to seal all hatches, vents etc. as much as one can,
secure companion way slides, and try to keep the boat
dry as possible. Main pop-top or hatch will remain in place
as this will try to float upwards. Battery switch should be
turned off and all loose objects stored in the cabin
settees, these now being above water. Surge can other-
wise remove everything.
Water level while inverted will be around the bottom of
the beams with the float decks being only just immersed.
Level will likely rise a little more if the boat has been built
and setup properly, until it will eventually stabilize, but still
leaving plenty of air space.
If possible, the battery should be removed as it will
discharge under water. It should be a
sealed unit
thereby
eliminating the danger of acid or gas.
If offshore, the crew outside can use the re-entry hatch
CAPSIZE!
Capsize will always be a possibility with any multihull,
but the chances are very remote - probably about the
same as being in a car rollover. Both are easy to avoid by
simply slowing down and driving to suit the conditions.
One really has to be doing something very foolish to be
involved in a capsize, and if one just keeps an eye on the
Push it too far and this is what may happen - a capsized F-82 - note how high it is
floating, the water level being around the bottom of the beams. Even in this position it
remains a relatively easy and safe boat to be on. This is about as bad as it can get on
an unsinkable multihull. The other option is this:
or even worse:
Summary of Contents for F-22
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