You’re back!!! The best sailing channel in the world 🌍 Showing us the safety side of sailing hopefully inspires just one person to invest in some form of safety gear.
Great video guys! As sailmakers we always focus on performance and sailability. It's great to see you guys reminding everyone about the safety gear that everyone should have on board and how to maintain it.
Thank You both so much for going to the trouble to show us the insides of your life raft. It was extremely interesting.. It appears you chose a very good raft not to mention that guy at the service centre was very knowledgeable and interesting
Excellent video, as one who has to use one during survival school, their value is only realized IF one has to abandon ship. Keep on doing what y'all do, one of if not best sailing channels!
good on ya buddy. no prize on your life. also youre at the mercy of massive ocean of water. often little things like that can mean survival if you become trapped in it. Im sure weved seen many incidents that could have been saved if precautions like what youve taken been adhere to. hope others are watching this. enjoy sailing and be safe out there
I always wondered what those life rafts looked like and what was in them when they were deployed and now I know thanks to your video. Keep up with your safety program and the great videos.
Great video(as always). The two of you are such a real and beautiful couple to listen to. I hope the two of you experience all the joys my wife and I have had thru the years.
I have watched a lot of sailing channels videos and this is by far the most extensive video I have seen to explain what happens and what the survival kit may contain. I am sure you also have grab bags containing more flares as I have seen you mention in other videos. I think my grab bag would also contain some dried food and extra water just in case. I think this is one of your best videos as it could save a life. It is definitely good to see just how awkward and heavy they are regards getting it off the rail. Do people seriously put them in the lockers? Suicidal people?
Good point about not necessarily being in a storm when you'll need your life raft. I can't tell you how many times I've been on my boat or someone else's boat when the engine died or wouldn't start in perfectly calm weather (not that this is like a fire or a compromised hull). Having your life raft serviced is also a good time to learn about the gear that's onboard the raft and how to cut it away from the boat when that time comes and I couldn't agree with you more about the need to have the raft on deck or on a rail. When there IS a storm and your engine isn't working or your rigging got knocked down, it's very difficult to walk on deck because the boat will almost always turn sideways to the wind and waves and will be hit broadside by the sea state if you don't have propulsion. Plus, you made a good choice with the Viking rafts. Best on the market. I've been sailing for 45 years and currently single hand a sailboat here in Alaska.
I was hoping for a Michael Job moment where his 10 man inflated in the car park. Always check that the painter is completely with you when leaving a vehicle.
Nice episode Nick. We had a 6 man life raft in our cockpit compartment when we bought our boat and it took us a week to wrestle that thing out of there.
Nick & Terysa, 1000% agree that it is fundamental to have the right kit and to be prepared for the worst so you don't get caught out. Some other vloggers so much less safety conscious than you two and their approach winds me up when they don't wear lifejackets or harnesses when they really ought to. Your approach is pragmatic, consistent and spot on from my viewpoint. Anyway, never seen a yacht liferaft opened up like that so very informative and seeing the difficulty you had hefting about the container to land it has convinced me to always have my raft stored in or around the cockpit. I will look forward to your piece on safety equipment in due course. Fair winds.
By the way just watched your fight with the water pump. Ah the joys of hanging upside down in a bilge and working at arms reach. Been there, got the t-shirt so feel your pain. Still at least you didn't snap a fitting or give a bolt that extra nip up and have the bolt head break off so not all bad!
Just wanted to add that this is the first sailing video where the life raft was serviced...that I have seen anyway. And it's really good information. And here's the thing...we all want to know your safe as can be. (lol...sorry had to say it.)
Nice informative video. No one else in the RU-vid sailing universe seems to show much if anything on safety precautions. I couldn't imagine trying get one of those things out of a locker in an emergency, good to know you can just push it off the back of your boat.
Informative and entertaining, can't ask for more than that. And remember life raft rule #1, never step down into a life raft, always step up into a life raft (unless your boat is on fire). Thanks for sharing and fair winds.
fascinating upload, thank you. It seems you invested in a really good piece of kit there - glad you never cut any corners regarding the safety aspect of your sailing (like many will do, just for budgeting purposes).
Only subbed your channel recently, love the way you tackle stuff. Been seafaring all my life, never seen a liferaft servicing process in action! Fair winds, guys.
So, so true what you and the service guy said in this video. I bought a Rival 32, 2 years ago which had an Arimar liferaft onboard which was one year out of date but had been serviced regularly. I took it to a local service centre and they had a chuckle when I got it out of the car. I asked them to open and inflate the raft as you had done and I was gobsmacked at what I found. The canister was very fragile and cracked on opening. The raft was inflated but the tubes had no seams at the corners, they were just bent round. The canopy was made of cheap tarp material. No ballast bags underneath so the raft would have blown away in a gale. Sea drogue was a 1' square piece of cheap tarp with holes in the corner no eyelets and cheap string tied on. It would not have worked. Pump was literally a pump for party balloons still in party packaging. There was no water, bailer, torch or food rations. The paddles were plastic beach spades, the repair kit was so small and the glue dried up. The air canister was packed wrong so the tubes were kinked and might have ruptured had the lanyard been pulled. All in all a worthless bit of kit but how many people send off their raft to be serviced and have no idea what is in it? The service centre gave me £50 for the old raft so they could take it to boat shows and demonstrate what not to buy. I then bought a new, ISO raft with full offshore 24hr rations. Also it is possible to get the service centre to put things in the raft such as a spare pair of glasses or other small items. Sorry this is long but so, so important. Much better to know exactly what your raft looks like and what is in it should you have the misfortune to have to use it and we all know you only. Step up into a raft... Cheers. Andy Sussex, UK.
Fantsatic comment for contrast FrenchAM100. Absolutley bang on. I recently took a Sea Survival course here in Australia which was two days of learning all about the elements that can happen, how to cope with them etc etc. On day two of the course we were in the water in a group and deploying a life raft. It hilighted things you hadn't anticipated like how hard it is to get into one when you are clothed and tired from swimming, how cramped it can be, how tricky it might be to right one which doesn't self right and so on. I would definitely advise anyone who thinks they may one day find the need for a life raft to go and do a similar course. Money well spent.
Nice video. An aspect of sailing that doesnt always get covered in videos. I really like the fact that you seem to have chosen quality over price. Says alot about where your head is at in terms of safety.
This is such an amazing video. An Australian couple recently lost their lives after their life raft disintegrated during a rescue attempt, putting them in the water.
Have done some pretty extensive offshore survival training. Dark, cold wave pool where you jump off a platform into it, swim to the the upturned life raft in survival suits with your life jacket inflated then have to right the raft, climb in and then start observing for survivors and assisting...all whilst the instructors are directing fire hoses at you to simulate spray and storm conditions. It rapidly saps the energy out of you and unfortunately many are ill prepared for it. Gives you a whole new perspective on the importance of survival equipment and being familiar with it. Well done on your responsible approach to safety and choice of equipment.
Most of my training was courtesy of the oil industry. I guess there are many transferable skills but I would imagine it would be an unneccessary expense splurging on their basic survival training. Although it contains life rafts/life boats, fire fighting, helicopter evacuation, First Aid, its pretty specific to getting to a rig and getting off one...or a chopper in a hurry. There must be some of the equipment manufacturers that conduct training on their emersion suits, life rafts and fire fighting is always a worthy skill too. I would imagine that if you spoke to some of the charter crews they possibly have access to better solutions more tailored to what you need...and cheaper. I'm a firm believer that any safety or emergency training are skills well worth having. I think if you could find someone to train you in getting into your emersion suits, deploying the life raft and getting into it (from the water...not stepping into it with your purse, six cans of beer and a bottle of wine!) and some fire fighting you'll be good. You're already graced with having Mother Terysa there for the medical/first aid so you're probably ahead of most. Best of luck to you both and fair winds.
Hi Nick & Terysa, Thanks for putting this video up, it really is very useful info. The first time we had our raft serviced I made a point of seeing it inflated and where all the "bits" are. The second time, the service centre sent us photo's of everything which was great for the records. As you so rightly say " what price safety"
This is one reason why I really like your channel; you put safety as a priority. I hope as you go through the maintenance of your boat you will share it with us. After all the maintenance is a part of the live aboard lifestyle that few really get into. Also would be possible to share what it has cost you (in terms of maintenance) on a yearly bases? I understand every boat is deferent, but the Southerly brand with the swing keel is at the top of my list of boats. Thanks again for sharing!
Seeing the title, I thought you were going to yank the cord! Then I was hoping the inspectors would and let the raft inflate normally, to see what would happen for real. But then, the raft would probably have to be replaced. Hopefully, if you ever do have to abandon ship, you'll also have time to launch and stock the dinghy. Every bit of equipment might help.
I agree with you about safety gear and the lack of discussion about it all on other channels. I own a small rigid lifeboat inspection and servicing business, and used to work for a company that also serviced liferafts, EPIRBS etc. I know only too well that this gear often feels like a bit of a grudge purchase because it just sits there looking at you for two or three years and then costs you another whole wad of cash, and it DOES NOTHING. And so it shall remain, hopefully - that it never ever DOES ANYTHING, except sit there and look at you waiting for the next time it can gobble up some cash. In terms of brands, I think Viking is probably the best bet simply because they have a lot of service stations around the world whereas other cheaper brands of liferaft aren't necessarily as well supported. I have seen this scenario end up in the vessel owner having to purchase another brand of liferaft in addition to the existing perfectly good but out of date unit, simply because the expired unit cannot be supported and serviced wherever the sailor happens to have found himself at service time. I had an AVON from 1985 that was last serviced in 1990 on my boat, which I test deployed in 2015. It opened and inflated, and then slowly deflated as it had perished so badly. I have all the bandages and dressings from it in my first aid kit, and the foot pump I still use for inflating camping mattresses, but for the rest it was throwaway. And agreed, it belongs on the deck or on the pushpit or transom somewhere with an HRU - dismasted in a seaway with a quick and uncomfortable boat motion and say with one person out of action through injury, and in the locker or on the quarterberth that tloody thing will remain all the way to the bottom. Nice video again. Sorry for the essay....but being in the business I feel I can't overstate the importance of this stuff.
Great video. That is a great piece of safety equipment. It’s a must have. Looks like you purchased your raft from the right company. Very impressive. Thank You for sharing this. Really enjoy your channel. Thank You. ⛴ Vinny 🇺🇸
Nick...I always wondered why people kept them in a locker but didn't know you could stow them on a mount such as you have. I run a hiking club here in AZ with about 200 members and most of them refer to me as a safety freak. In fact, many members join because I put so much emphasis on safety. Love love love this video and your attention to detail. PEACE OUT! Ü
Hey there, other AZ sailor! Just watched Nick & Terysa's video today and saw your comment on safety--I agree with you (and Nick & Terysa, of course!) If you're not ALWAYS prepared---you may as well be NEVER prepared!
Nick, you may recall I asked about how your raft was secured to rail as these buggers are heavy as hell.good work on servicing, ..appreciate your commitment to safety. I have the same viking. Even close to shore, swimming 300 yards in Alaska? Not going to happen, raft will save your life..I had a custom cradle built into hard rails..at stern. Tally ho!
Great safety video! For those of us who are new to this, it would be very handy to see your other safety devices as well. I'm particularly interested in what method you came up with for permanent tethers, that allow you freedom of movement and don't get in the way.
Sailing Yacht Ruby Rose Yes, what you were saying, "bend your knees, lift with the legs!" was correct, but not what you were doing, Nick was knees bent and back straight, Tyresa, your knees were bent but your back was also bent and you were over extended, but it was aesthetically pleasing! :-)
I think a large part of the safety equation is simply realizing what could happened so that a person is mentally prepared. Something like servicing your life raft reinforces that mental acceptance of what could happen.
Excellent video and safety reminder. All of the fun stops when there's an emergency. "Better to have and not need...then to need and not have!" Real sailors do put ssfety first. Thanks for the reinforcement. ✌⛵
We all pay for insurance of various types. Life raft maintenance is just another one. This reminded me to check the expiration dates of the flares in my trunk! Thanks to you both! ; )>
Rare insight into an aspect of safety. Most boats I see for sale don;t even have one. Would love to have seen how it fitted back in the silver cover and white box ;)
Hello Nick, few times, while looking at you talking, I was thinking “I know this guy”! Obviously, I don’t know you. But, last night, I saw an old James Bond movie, and guess what, there you were Nick as Pierce Brosnan! Really, he looks like you. That is where I got my “ know you” feeling from. Cheers. Now you know.// Fair winds.
Emergency equipment is very highly regulated and tested. Servicing the life rafts include inflating the rafts and monitoring the pressure containment over a 24 hour period minimum. Replacement of the very expensive lithium batteries, flares, food and water supplies. It is good that both of you were there as being unfamiliar with your emergency equipment won't help you in emergency situations.
What an excellent thing to do. What peace of mind knowing what exactly is in your life raft and that everything will work. 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍 Plus, you've always talked about where the life raft should be mounted on a boat and I think you demonstrated the reason that very well in this video.
I was wondering if you used one of your halyards I am not a sailor. If you used a line and the winch to help lift the raft and then guide it down onto the dock? That is great advice really about not putting it in a locker. I would have never thought of the con of doing so. Cool man fun videos to watch having a cold brew..
I am preparing to take my custom built 50' Steel ketch, cutter rigged sailboat to Hawaii from San Fran. I so appreciate your emphasis on safety. As you said...what is your life or the life of your family or crew worth?
