Alfredo Contaldo · video

What this video covers

Night sailing requires rigorous preparation, constant vigilance, and a conservative approach to safety to mitigate the risks of reduced visibility and fatigue. Before departing, skippers must verify that all navigation lights are functional and perform a crew briefing to establish watch schedules, ideally limiting shifts to two hours to maintain alertness. When sailing solo, use a timer to sound an alarm every 10 to 15 minutes as a fail-safe against falling asleep at the helm. Never rely on radar or AIS alarms to replace human observation, as these are only navigational aids. If exhaustion becomes unmanageable, heave-to for 20 to 30 minutes of rest rather than attempting short, dangerous naps while underway. Always wear a life jacket and a safety harness clipped to jacklines when on deck at night. To preserve night vision, use red lighting in the cockpit, dim instrument displays, and avoid looking at smartphone screens. Preemptively reefing sails before dark provides a safer, more manageable boat configuration for potential wind shifts.

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