14/01/2025 Topic: Early Warning Systems bweigel2@gmail.com Administrator	I do not think about alarms and early warning systems too often: they just exist and are largely ignored, until... Every now and again one really makes a difference in my cruising life: so I cobbled together this list: I am sure I missed a few. My best, Dick Stevenson, s/v Alchemy I would suggest that there should be a handful of early warning systems that a skipper should install. This goes especially for recreational skippers and even more so for those who sail as a passage-making couple. The benefits of an early warning do not always jump out at you. Many of the following early warning systems are warnings where vessel integrity and crew safety are at risk. Early warning puts skipper and crew in a pro-active position rather than reacting to, say, the floorboards being awash where it is likely already too late to enact a remedy. Some early warnings are crucial (propane leak) while others are a flag to attend to something later (slow leak of coolant). But every early warning allows for remedies and intervention when the intervention can still make a difference. A few minutes of early warning can be the difference between saving the ship or abandoning her. It allows a period of thinking rather than a quick journey into panic. Many emergencies on board escalate quickly: easily dealt with at the onset they can quickly become unworkable: early intervention makes a huge difference. All audible alarms should be able to give warning to crew in the cockpit when the motor is operating. In the scheme of things, these units are not expensive nor do they demand much in the way of battery usage to run 24/7 (some run on their own battery). Early warning systems on Alchemy: 1. *Smoke detectors (combined unit with CO detectors): engine room, above electrical panel and in the forepeak (sleeping) cabin. 2. *High water alarms: Alchemy has two, one in each of her isolated bilge areas. 3. *Propane sniffers: Alchemy has two, one in each of her isolated bilge areas. 4. *Bilge pump alarm: every activation of the bilge pump 5. *Diesel and generator alarms: oil pressure and temperature (alarms rather than idiot lights) 6. *Raw water failure alarm (Borel) on engine and genset 7. *Dedicated CO detector (CG required, I believe) 8. I have a very quiet ship, but I have never completely tamed the lines that raise and lower my pole on the mast: at 20-25 knots of wind from the bow at anchor, they slap the mast. This is my wake-up call to check things out. 9. One’s senses: especially ears. Pay attention to new noise/smell etc. and changes in regular noise. Early warning systems requiring inspection: 1. There is a small dam downstream from the engine and genset where any leaked fluids accumulate: a quick opening of the over-the-engine access hatch allows a look. 2. My dual Racor filter assembly has a vacuum gauge which can give early warning of filters becoming loaded and blocking/slowing fuel delivery and other forms of fuel constriction. (some have an alarm indicating water in the fuel).** Do not have (or use) but may be wise: 1. A low and high voltage alarm (or SOC/state of charge alarm) 2. Various instrument alarms: AIS, Radar, depth, etc. 3. Anchor alarm *In my opinion, these should be required to be installed by the manufacturer when installation is far easier. I would suggest every boat should consider installing these alarms. **Highly recommended on a widely ranging cruising boat Caveats: Alarms are a good thing. They warn of emerging problems and they do not get tired or lazy. That said, I think many would agree that we have so many alarms, that when one goes off, it is hard to know what the warning is or where to go to respond. Someday, an enterprising entrepreneur will come up with an alarm annunciator: in the meantime, it behooves every skipper to make a “vessel alarm list” and to try to differentiate the alarms by sound (buzzer, beep, two-tone, etc.). Then, highlight the “urgent” alarms: on Alchemy these are: engine oil pressure & water temperature, high water, bilge pump activation, propane sniffer, smoke detectors, exhaust hose temperature, and CO. Then there are the skipper-set alarms on AIS, radar, instruments and the DSC alarm on your VHF. And finally, there are the alarms that emerge from our “devices”. Post this list where it is easily accessible to remind/review (wall of the head?). One danger with alarms is that they can support a false complacency that inhibits regular inspections. For example, an eyes-in-the-bilge inspection should remain an every-watch occurrence during passages. Also, a reminder: many alarms need attention. Some beep when batteries are low: some do not. A beginning-of-season renewal of all alarm batteries is wise. Other alarms have expiry dates (CO are often 5 years) while smoke detectors can malfunction because of accumulations of dust or cobwebs. One’s confidence in propane sniffers increases when it activates when tested with gas from an (unlit) lighter.
14/01/2025 Topic: Travel Insurance for Sailors bweigel2@gmail.com Administrator	Apologies if this topic has been covered before but I couldn’t find anything that helped me on the forum. Does anyone have any top tips regarding companies which provide multi-trip personal insurance for sailing trips over 45 days and include the USA and Caribbean. Thanks in advance
14/01/2025 Topic: Travel Insurance for Sailors bweigel2@gmail.com Administrator	Paul, We are UK based and have multi-trip, global travel insurance from our credit card - Nationwide. The maximum trip duration has, however, just been reduced from 6 months to, I think, 4 months which is an issue for us in 2025. Thus far it has been very cost effective. Simon
14/01/2025 Topic: Travel Insurance for Sailors bweigel2@gmail.com Administrator	Hi all, Not sure whether this is speaking to the question, but may be worth wider awareness. When we moved aboard in 2002, we were willing to take our chances on covering our health problems locally and paying out-of-pocket. That has worked out for the handful of health problems, some big, most small, that have needed attention over the years. But we were concerned about a catastrophic medical emergency as we were often in areas where any sort of sophisticated medical facilities were non-existent. As divers, we were aware and members of DAN: Divers Alert Network. We still are members and have deemed it acceptable to covering our catastrophic needs. As I understand and remember the terms, the following is true, but please check out thoroughly and post a reply if I am mistaken or terms have changed. We are fortunate to not have first-hand knowledge*. You do not have to be a diver to join. In a medical emergency, DAN will help find a medical facility with the expertise to treat the problem and get you there. They will choose where you go: you can’t say “Take me to my home hospital”, but the choice will be driven by their having the expertise to meet the medical demands of the emergency. I believe they have expanded their coverage. I believe they provide consultation over the phone. I believe they have a 24/7 hotline. The yearly fee is quite modest. My best, Dick Stevenson, s/v Alchemy *We know of a cruiser who had a quite bad moped accident on a Greek Island without the facilities to treat the multiple injuries. He was evacuated to a German hospital where he received treatment. If memory serves the incident and evacuation was written up in a Seven Seas Cruising Association Bulletin years ago.
14/01/2025 Topic: OCC Website and Mobile APP bweigel2@gmail.com Administrator	Here is a link to the OCC webinar that will provide an orientation to the OCC website and mobile APP. The presentation used in the webinar is also attached. https://www.oceancruisingclub.org/webinars?ID=2576
20/01/2025 Topic: Slab Reefing Hack bweigel2@gmail.com Administrator	Hi all, Slab reefing is hard to beat for ease of use, simplicity, trouble free-ness in executing, and quality of the end result. Running the outhaul reef lines through the end of the boom, up and through the reef cringle and back to the boom for securing is both a common and preferred way to run your mainsail’s reef outhaul. One challenge is that the positioning of the reef line around the boom has to be just so to pull the clew of the reef to the boom and give the reef good sail shape. And then, once positioned, to not move fore or aft when the reef line is loose in normal sailing, but stay in place. Many put a pad eye at the appropriate spot and run the reef line through the eye. This does not have to be strongly mounted as it is merely for positioning: the boom carries the load. But then there comes a time when the positioning is not quite right: the sail has stretched a bit, say, or definitely when you get a new sail. Even a sail with the same design will be subtly different and the pad eyes will no longer be located properly. A solution I have used for decades on a couple of boats is to install a pin track (small boat jib sheet adjustment track) with cars with an eye big enough for the reef line. The track cars with bales will merely be for positioning (not strength), so not every bolt hole need not be used for installation. In this way, small adjustments can always be made when needed by moving the cars along the track by moving the capturing bale one way or the other. I suggest using a bit longer than expected track/cars: mine holds bales for 3 reefs and, unexpectedly, has become handy for positioning my aft lazy jack line. And when a new sail is purchased, there will be no need to reposition the pad eyes: even if the sail is a “duplicate” there will be adjustments needed. My best, Dick Stevenson, s/v Alchemy
5 days ago Topic: Our "deal" as I see it, as recreational boaters bweigel2@gmail.com Administrator	Our "deal" as I see it, as recreational boaters with rescue services Copied from old forum by Admin: Hi all, I thought some might be interested although I believe I have posted on the subject on our site before. A Substack journalist on marine subjects, whose work I generally like, wanted to post some writing of mine, so I am now a guest journalist on Substack: https://loosecannon.substack.com/. My best, Dick. edited by bweigel2@gmail.com on 17/02/2025
5 days ago Topic: Our "deal" as I see it, as recreational boaters bweigel2@gmail.com Administrator	Group: Administrators Posts: 1K, Visits: 86 Thanks for the link Dick. Simon
5 days ago Topic: OCC Webinar: Pacific Northwest bweigel2@gmail.com Administrator	https://vimeo.com/1056706016 edited by bweigel2@gmail.com on 17/02/2025
5 days ago Topic: Crew wanted - Caribbean to Galicia/Atlantic France bweigel2@gmail.com Administrator	Crew wanted - Caribbean to Galicia / Atlantic France Original post by John.Hodgson copied from old Forum by Admin We are seeking crew to help us complete our Atlantic circuit on our one year old Excess 14 catamaran. We may do this as part of ARC Europe or possibly independently but with similar timings. Timings for ARC Europe : 10 May depart St Maarten. 21 May depart Bermuda. 14 June depart Sao Miguel, Azores (after some time cruising in the Azores) From the Azores we would break off from the ARC fleet and instead aim for A Coruna / La Rochelle to arrive late June. Having completed ARC+ our boat is well specified with all ocean safety equipment, Starlink, water maker etc. We would require people with experience already of ocean sailing and able to stand a watch alone. Experience on a cruising catamaran would also be advantageous. You would be responsible for your own travel costs and share of onboard food costs. edited by bweigel2@gmail.com on 17/02/2025 edited by bweigel2@gmail.com on 17/02/2025
5 days ago Topic: NOAA Compromised bweigel2@gmail.com Administrator	Original post by Robert.Larson Copied from old forum by Admin https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/04/doge-noaa-headquarters?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other
5 days ago Topic: NOAA Compromised bweigel2@gmail.com Administrator	Hi Robert, Yes, I suspect that is a very real possibility. If you wish to read about NOAA and its function as part of the US government, Michael Lewis wrote a superb book, Fifth Business and one of its chapters was solely on NOAA. You might want to read that very admiring chapter to give context on what is to come. My best, Dick Stevenson, s/v Alchemy
5 days ago Topic: NOAA Compromised bweigel2@gmail.com Administrator	Reply by Roberto.Ritossa copied from old forum by Admin Let's imagine a dys(met)topia: all these stone age techniques like vhf, safetynet, radio navtex fax etc, all suppressed and replaced by paying forecasts only available through Starlink.
5 days ago Topic: PNG to Madagascar via Seychelles bweigel2@gmail.com Administrator	Original message by shaunskie copied from old forum by admin Currently we are in Port Moresby PNG, I intend leaving in June next year to travel to Madagascar. From what i can see this would be the favourable time of year. I am not intending to stop unless my dear wife forces a visit to the Seychelles. Has anyone done this route and has any information that may be useful please.
5 days ago Topic: 2024 December: Commodore's Email bweigel2@gmail.com Administrator	I write to send Season’s Greetings to one and all with a wish that, no matter how you celebrate the closing days of our 70th Anniversary year, you do so in good health, in happiness and in good company. I hope that everyone has managed to get together with other OCC members at some stage during this special year whether in an anchorage far from home, at an impromptu gathering or at an organised event. It is with great pleasure that I can announce that the first Annual Edition of our OCC Journal is about to be sent out by the printers, although depending on where you are in the world, it may be some time before you receive your copy. We congratulate and thank Anne Hammick for the countless hours spent bringing together this special 2024 edition of Flying Fish. I do hope you find the time to enjoy the whole of this edition, which is unlikely to be consumed in one sitting. Whether you read your copy at the chart table or your coffee table, or even via the website, it is yours to dip into and to savour over time. I must also announce that Anne Hammick will be standing down from the 1st of January 2025 after 35 years as Editor of Flying Fish and the Board will be finding a suitable way in which to both commemorate her achievements and thank her for such loyal service. Anne will not be standing down from all her roles within OCC, the Board have asked her to continue as the OCC Archivist, and we will therefore still benefit from her vast knowledge of the history of our Club. In addition, Anne has been asked to write the last 10 years’ history of the OCC, following on from The First 50 Years written by Tony Vasey and the ten years’ round up to 60 years of the OCC written by Bill McLaren. Emily Winter will be adding our Flying Fish journal to her current responsibilities of compiling the e-bulletin and the Newsletter, becoming the OCC Publications Editor. To ensure that Emily has the time and support she requires in this expanding role our Club Secretary Rachelle Turk has worked with Emily to reassign certain tasks and in January we will be advertising for an additional OCC Support Administrator. I would like to thank all our volunteers around the world who willingly assist our members, arrange events and report on the diverse activities of our membership. I would like to express my appreciation and admiration of all those on the Board and General Committee who take on responsibilities for the management of the Club, together with our secretariat of Rachelle Turk and Emily Winter, who work tirelessly in the background. Without this team we could not provide the services, print and digital publications, website, App and social media presence that our members enjoy. Very best wishes for this festive season,   Fiona Jones Commodore - Ocean Cruising Club +44 (0) 7796 678 120 www.oceancruisingclub.org
2 days ago Topic: Using the Forum bweigel2@gmail.com Administrator	Thanks for sharing this.
2 days ago Topic: Subscribing to a Forum Topic bweigel2@gmail.com Administrator	If you wish to receive email notices for new posts to the OCC Forum, you may select this option as shown in the attached photo. Email messages will be sent to your email address as shown in the 2nd attached photo. You may deselect this option at any time. I hope you find this helpful. Bill Weigel

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