25 jun 26: sailing is a lot like chess.

As I reflect uneasily on events from yesterday, I am thinking how sailing is like a game of chess. Its also not like chess; you cannot die if you lose a game of chess. 

What I take from this analogy are: realise the importance of the game, pay attention to details, a frailty you knowingly carry into the game will be your undoing, errors compound and it matters. 

Something to ponder; as I was lashed to the wharf, eating rice, beans and tuna with coffee Port Stephens rescue called all stations to alert, a solo fisherman in a 3.5m dinghy had not logged off and was not in contact with base. (* See below)

Lessons: 
Your centreboard needs to be deployable at all times. 

A wobbly outboard bracket can look unsightly, dump your outboard on the water and cause you to lose your craft. 

Always have a deployable anchor ready.

If you're going to sail through a narrow passage into difficult conditions, you want to have everything working and be on top of your game. 

If the weather report is wrong, accept what you get and reframe your sailing plan. 

Taking a slower more conservative plan should get you home. 

Discomfort is normal.

Aggressive survival conditions are powerful teachers, if you make it thank the Lord and embrace the learning. 

* It turns out the overdue fisho was Stinker Clarke.   
Apparently he has leaving his fishing spot by the Fingal Lighthouse, pulling the anchor when a wave flipped his tinny 'Stinkpot'. It was too rough and dark to consider swimming ashore, so he grabbed  both oars and an upturned bucket and drifted. When the 77 year old retired teacher and regular ABC Radio fishing correspondent didn't walk in the door at the arranged time, his wife rang rescue services. A helicopter spotlight picked him up and a shore crew retrieved him. After 4.5hrs in cold water, he was treated for hypothermia and has since returned home and thanks marine rescue staff. Poor Stinkpot is no more.  

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