What would your passengers do if something happened to you?
A new New Zealand boating book that provides life-saving information for even the most inexperienced boatie has been released in time for our New Zealand summer.
The Emergency Crew Book has been created to equip even the least boat savvy passenger with a step-by-step guide on what to do in a boating emergency.
The book is written in plain English and features quick reference tabs covering useful topics like equipment location, mayday, first aid, run aground, fire, rough seas, starting the motor and trouble shooting.
The book comes in a sturdy clear dry bag with a lanyard rope, similar to the ones made for protecting cell phones and is to be hung in clear view. The book also has spaces for the skipper to fill in which will give specific instructions for their boat.
The author, Regan Grafton, was prompted to write the Emergency Crew Book after reading an article about a fatal boating accident where a lack of boating knowledge was a contributing factor in the loss of life.
“I was really moved by a story of a couple of mates who went out fishing on a perfectly calm day only to have a fishing line become entangled around the prop of the boat. The skipper leant over to untangle the line, lost his balance and fell in. His friend tried desperately to figure out how to turn the boat on, but the strong current quickly separated the skipper from the boat. By the time his friend had figured out how to operate the boat the skipper had drowned.
It struck me what if something happened to me, would my friends, wife or work colleagues know where the flares were located or even how to start the motor? Would they know how to set and make a mayday call that could be the difference between life and death? Probably not.”
Coastguard New Zealand has given their support to the book giving the concept a big ‘thumbs up.’
“We have had a look at the book and think that it is great and a fantastic concept simple and easy to use and gives a great grounding for being able to cope with a myriad of situations if you find yourself suddenly in the skipper¹s seat.” Says Bruce Reid Coastguard New Zealand CEO.
The Emergency Crew Book retails for $19.95, which makes it a perfect Christmas gift for the boatie in the family and is available from Sailor¹s Corner, Smart Marine, Boat Books and online at www.emergencycrewbook.com <http://www.emergencycrewbook.com>
My take: I have been in a situation where the skipper of his boat in the midst of an emergency situation had a heart attack, the rest of us had to spend way too much time finding out how things worked, and finally make radio contact with the Coast Guard (pre-cell phone days). The wasted time nearly cost the Skipper his life.

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