Dear Readers,

Winter is here. Even though this year it will hit not quite sure, for I have brought up a few days ago my winter tires. Always, when I'm on it, there is no more snow. Tested for years.

As the snow stays away so, I participated on the advice of some sailors last weekend at a lake-survival training, the cruiser division. And I must say: I am absolutely thrilled! In two days we have in “Training Centre of the Navy ship safety” Neustadt (Holstein) all possible scenarios played out, that might occur during sailing on board.

On the first day (Friday) after arrival at noon, we were put into a ship identical to the originals section, bubbled into the gradually by a few leaks, the water and we are using standard tools, Matting, Boards, Pegs had to make it, the lick to get as far as tight, however, that the pumps arriving. In a steel ship was stuck in my already battered pegs make a whole lot, What is not so easy at comparatively softer fiberglass boats: “There are yacht builders, as three selections Mueller milk cup and get ne of those’ 40-Foot yacht cast…”

After a short theoretical part, we went in fire protection clothing for the deletion of some large fires. Sure will perform such a big fire on board never, unless the ship is on fire, but so was the fear of the participants took, at all to approach a fire. After deleting all kinds of fires with all types of fire extinguishers (Also let us again consider the on-board resources – with a 2 KG-extinguisher handy you get only from an ashtray…) the day was over, sound composed of the officers' home, before midnight then back to the original crew quarters of the Bundeswehr-class hotel “Youth 1956” strolled.

The next morning we all met at point 7.15 Clock for breakfast in the officers' home, before it, after a brief theory of life-saving equipment, Islands and the importance of a crotch in a vest, finally into the wave. Feet wet and we got on the islands were shaken by the wave quite well. New knowledge: The movements, even in the surf, were not the worst – but the Penetrante rubber smell and the lack of breathable air in the closed island there were, could be that some a little pale. The withdrawal was carried out by a network of the island 4 Meter-high ladder up, before flying out of there, the 4 Meter jump back down and had triggered during the fall of the Bundeswehr asked vest. Pffffffffft….. And there we were swimming in formation by the wave pool, with all Spraycap and comfortable in the 2 Crotch straps of the vest hanging. So far – so good. The rise of the water in the island prepared for some major problems – mainly caused by the vest – pushing and shoving but we were all on board.

After these first exercises with armed forces-west (I would buy it now, who are really good!) we repeated the entire procedure is finished with its own oil, Their own boots and vest.

My experience to:
First, I am concerned that the optical, with my 3 Year-old oilskin long ceased “up-to-date” – what it is today, all of stylish colors and cuts – because you still feel totally under-dressed. Also as far as the west. Between a tiny model of the 70s, practically no lift at all offers, and the new 3D-west Secumar, not only very stylish, pretty expensive, but are really good, actually there was anything. My 4 270-year-old broke vest while (to my surprise, not maintained as…) immediately, turned after about 4 sec in the supine position and kept me well informed about water, But there were also some little surprises: The flashing light was e.g.. broken, The battery case was swollen (apparently leaked to the battery). Above all, I learned, however,, Although the vest when falling overboard and rescued is to be a good help, if not long swims in the water – But you should hang longer in the vest to slip at least for my character, and despite extremely tightened vest (otherwise I would never wear so tight…) over short or long downward. After 15 Minutes in the water, the slopes in the vest slowly rather exhausting, because my body wanted to slide down and picked up the head most of the load. One or better two crotch straps are really indispensable, I have now learned.

Finally, we have missed all kinds of marine resources. Small signal device, large rocket parachute, … was very interesting, all times to have triggered.

Finally, I can therefore only by sailors, egal ob Skipper, Crew, High sea- or coastal sailor friend, join this course once. You really learn a lot of crucial things, because the price of very, is very experienced staff and great organization held. Also, the course, measured by expenditure (which in itself the life jackets cartridges, the maintenance of the triggered Islands, the flares, … cost!) not so expensive. For members of the cruiser division even a lot cheaper. Information can be found here.
Some photos of this training is available on the KA Website von Sönke Roever and also Youtube.com at this link
Since then, there seems nothing has changed…

Another novelty is the, that within the next few days, in time for Christmas, the CD “Postcard from Skagen” comes out. The music was written by Jochen Lueg, The people behind “Yacht-TV” and the sound man my DVD. Again and again I got the last six months, emails and inquiries, where the music is great on my DVD of it and whether you could get a soundtrack. On this CD now are all the songs on it – Buy the! 🙂

Otherwise I can only, To wish you and your family a wonderful holiday season! I'll be in touch again before Christmas, but…

John