Sailing Zephyrvideo
How LONG does it Take to ABANDON SHIP? | Sailing Zephyr - Ep. 257
October 11, 2024 · 22 min · 5K views
What this video covers
A couple living aboard their sailboat, Zephyr, conducted their first emergency abandon-ship drill to test their readiness for a catastrophic sinking. The crew set a five-minute timer to gather essential survival gear and move it to the dock, simulating a rapid-onset emergency.1:34 The exercise highlighted the effects of tunnel vision, as the crew successfully retrieved an EPIRB, a ditch bag, flares, and a medical kit but failed to secure a portable VHF radio or a satellite communication device like the Iridium Go.13:45 The drill also emphasized the physical challenge of deploying a life raft, specifically the Wave Breaker model from Superior Life Saving, which requires attaching a painter line to a cleat before inflation.16:29 The crew noted that ditch bag contents should be tailored based on the length of the passage, with additional water, documents, and signaling devices added for offshore trips.19:49 Regular practice reveals critical gaps in emergency procedures that are otherwise overlooked during routine sailing.14:38
More from Sailing Zephyr
From Sailing Zephyr — see the channel’s boat, crew, and every analyzed video.
The Sailing Directory Newsletter
One email with the fleet's best finds — the moments, boats, and stories worth your watch time. Enter your own address to get your own copy.