Heavy Weather What is Heavy Weather A 1977

Heavy Weather

What is Heavy Weather? �A 1977 album by jazz group Weather Report? �A 1933 novel by P. G. Wodehouse? �Stormy winds? Conditions, rough seas, high �Song on Jarvis Cocker’s debut solo album? �All of the above?

Heavy Air vs Heavy Weather �Heavy Air Boat may need adjustment Course can be maintained �Heavy Weather Crew must take evasive action for safety Conditions dictate the action

Frequency / Likelihood � Circumnavigators experience Gale Force conditions < 1% of the time � Rogue Waves can occur where even a single wave can be much higher than average wave height (even 2 x) � Cruising vs Racing When cruising, the purpose is to make a smart seamanlike passage with the minimum of wear and tear on the ship and the crew K Adlard Coles

Heavy Weather Conditions �Combination of Conditions Wind Conditions Rough, Confused Sea Large Waves Breaking Waves Sudden Wind Shifts Rain / Spray / Snow / Reduced Visibility Other Nasty Weather Conditions

Windscales � Near Gale (Force 7) Avg Wind Velocity 28 - 33 knots Avg Wave Heights 13. 5– 19 feet � Gale (Force 8) Avg Wind Velocity 34 - 40 knots Avg Wave Heights 18 – 25 feet � Strong Gale (Force 9) Avg Wind Velocity 41 - 47 knots Avg Wave Heights 23– 32 feet � � � Max wave heights may be 2 x Avg Gusts may be much higher Lower force might be considered Heavy Weather

Be Prepared For local Conditions �Pay Attention to the Weather Wait for weather window for passage Know what’s headed your way �Know What to Expect Locally Atlas of Pilot Charts / Local Publications ▪ Average windspeed, directions and wave heights for time of year �Tides & Currents in Area

Be Prepared Below Deck �Make galley shipshape Utensils & provisions �Stow all articles in Nav Station �Check the bilge pump is clear �Check floorboards, lockers, fridge �Ensure batteries are locked down �Have quick, high energy food and drink readily available. �Put up leecloths on bunks

Be Prepared Crew �Chart current position Make current log entry Note barometer reading Note sea room �Take seasickness meds 1 hour before �Remind crew of location of flares, fire extinguishers, flares etc. �Prepare flashlights �Check ditch bag �Don foul weather gear �Don PFD and safety harness �Keep eating and drinking

Be Prepared Above � Hoist / Check Radar Reflector � Stow or lash everything loose properly Any thing that can move will move Tools, Winch Handles, Bimini, jerry cans Poles etc � Check Dinghy Lashing � Check Jacklines � Shut all hatches � Ventilators to leeward � Close Engine Vents � Plug Hawse pipe � Lash Anchor � Make sure fog horn is accessible

Be Prepared Above �Close fuel cocks �Check cockpit lockers �Check cockpit drains are open �Close all seacocks �Prepare stormsails for use �Consider closing companionway hatch �Prepare warps for streaming �Prepare drogues / sea anchor �Check manual bilge pump / bailer

Heavy Weather Tactics �Reduce Sail �Employ Tactics Early On �Golden Rules (Beth Leonard) Avoid Breaking Waves Avoid taking seas beam-on ▪ Either bow-to or stern-to is better ▪ Balance boat for wind angle Prepare a variety of Tactics Avoid Fatigue

Sail Plan - Inventory � Mainsails � Reefs in Main Roller Reefing in Mast Roller Reefing in Boom Separate track in mast for storm trysail Headsails Storm Jib Roller Reefing Jib (as opposed to furling) � Foresails Storm staysail on (demountable? ) forestay High cut to avoid deck wash � Mizzen Sails ?

Heavy Weather Tactics � Heaving – To – slick of calm to windward � Forereaching � Reef main for conditions Backwind jib sized 80 -100% of fore-triangle Helm lashed to head to 40 -60 deg off apparent wind Balance to make only leeway (~ 1 -3 knots) Heave-to equivalent for multi-hull or modern fin keel monohull main with 1 extra reef, or trysail in high wind Helm lashed close-hauled Find balance on helm to make slow jogs back and forth to wind Slow headway towards destination With large waves heave-to / forereaching may need to be reconsidered as bow gets pushed off wind leaving yacht beam-to the wave train.

Heavy Weather Tactics �Lying Ahull – slick to windward Beam-to waves helm lashed to tend bow up to wind Bare Poles Cats only! Not for single hulls as they could roll

Heavy Weather Tactics �Scudding / Running Bare Poles or stabilizing flat staysail helps keep stern into the wind Need to reduce speed if yacht starts surfing ▪ Trailing Warps ▪ Sea Anchors ▪ Drogues

Heavy Weather Tactics �Practice Makes Perfect Need to select appropriate tactics and practice deploying them

Closing Thought �“Whatever decision you may make, if you get into trouble, you may be sure that someone who was not there will come up with something you should have done. ” John F. Wison, ‘Heavy Weather Guide’

References �The Voyageur’s Handbook – Beth Leonard �The International Marine Book of Sailing – Robby Robinson �Heavy Weather Sailing – K. Adlard Coles �Videos - You Tube