The other issue with this is that while you can go to lengths to select crew who understand the risks, you can spend days going over every details of the boat, every detail of the route and have extensive discussions with the crew. You can get liability waivers from crew. You can make sure that you only go out there with people whom you are dropdead certain ~Understand~ what they are getting into. The problem is that you can't do that with every member of their families. Just because you have covered every possible base with your crew doesn't mean that brother Bill in Oklahoma who has a buddy with a fishing boat and tells him that he just knows that the engine was no good, won't get pissed and sue you.
Think of it from the lawyers perspective. "You broke your boom on your last trip. It's been "repaired"...but OBVIOUSLY that repair isn't good enough and you, as the captain KNEW it and yet you took my clients brother out on the ocean, anyway. This is a perfect example of wilful negligence." What will the judge say?
This is why I no longer am the Athletic Director for any highland games. You can prepare and prepare and prepare, but one little mistake, one busted shackle and people can get hurt or killed. Then every nickel you own, your house, your retirement, plus every one you will earn for the next 20 years is on the line.
I will not take newbies out sailing, if I don't know them very well. The most that anybody can contribute if they do go sailing on my boat, is lunch. I would teach sailing as a staff person for a company, but just take total newbs out for the day? Forget it, much less cross an ocean.
Last edited by AlanH; 03-04-2022 at 10:32 AM.
1968 Selmer Series 9 B-flat and A clarinets
1962 Buesher "Aristocrat" tenor saxophone
Piper One Design 24, Hull #35; "Alpha"