"Gerald" wrote in message
...
The one thinh I would add to JimB's response ---

My golden rule has always been ---- If you go overboard, you are going to
die. If you don't want to die, don't fall over board. IMHO, this is the
best starting point. If you become too comfortable in the ability of the
crew to do a recovery, you may get a bit too sloopy in your attention to
safety. Having said that, yeah .... have a plan and practice it.


For shorthanded or single-handed cruising or crusing at night on passages
when most of the people are below, you should be attached to the boat at all
times unless there's no wind and you're not moving. It's not a bad idea to
ensure that there are always two people on deck, especially at night.

I totally agree that complacency kills.

--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com