The Cruising Club of America (CCA) Safety at Sea Committee recently published an updated version the highly regarded Suddenly Alone workbook now titled Safety for Cruising Couples – Including “Suddenly Alone”. The workbook revisions incorporate lessons learned from giving the original Suddenly Alone course to approximately 2000 people, the experience of CCA members and the technology and techniques of safety and safety equipment that have evolved since it was first published about 15 years ago.
The SAS Committee has changed the distribution policy to allow sales of this updated text and workbook before attending the course with the hope that this will prompt more organizations to set up and host seminars using the course materials that are provided at no cost. A dedicated CCA Dropbox contains the course reading materials, PowerPoint presentations, suggested handouts and workshop problems and drills.
Safety for Cruising Couples Seminars are geared to short-handed coastal cruisers, both sail and power boaters. They give the less experienced partner the basic tools he/she needs to become a competent partner on the boat. Competence and mutual confidence leads to a partnership on board that makes cruising safer and more enjoyable. The workbook focuses on the essential onboard teamwork of preparing for emergencies, such as Man Overboard Recovery, basic navigation skills, identifying the boat’s location, boat handling and radio communications.
The workbook is also a handy reminder to both experienced and less experienced partners of safety procedures that should be practiced every year. The art of safety is increased when both individuals are confident in knowing what to do when the unexpected happens. Early feedback from reviewers recommend that a copy of this workbook should be aboard every boat operated by a shorthanded crew.
To purchase a copy of the workbook or receive information on how to set up and conduct a Safety for Cruising Couples Seminar at your CCA Station, yacht club or sailing organization, contact Ron Trossbach at rontrossbach@msn.com or (703) 403-8408.
